Finding this entertaining - I never think of my home town as a vacation resort - I walk 1 mile to that beach in the picture most Saturday mornings to watch the dogs frolic at dog beach ( separately marked - up a couple of blocks.) It takes me about 30 min to get to
Disneyland - but then there's the parking entry and taking the tram - so an hour to get in somedays.
Ruby's is good - 50s style diner. They validate parking in the Pier structure ( a couple of blocks up off of Main street - pretty clearly marked). Gets you a couple of hours free. The downtown area has some fun/unique places -especially if you're a surfer ( I'm not ). Good bike path -- I'm sure there are rentals. Duke's is pretty good as well - pricey though. Fabulous desert - think it's a Hina Pie -- anyway, it's an ice cream/macadamia pie that's big enough for 2 or even 3!
I do like Laguna for pure beauty - very dramatic. Also Laguna is full of art galleries and cute little places to eat/buy unusual things. I think it has more personality than HB. Not as much sand -but in a way I like that -- easy to clean your feet off on the grass.
There are fun tide pools for kids in Dana Point. Getting fairly far south though - quite a bit further to DLR.