Southern California SOCAL Beach Hotel Recommendation

[suzymouse724]

Disney world vet here planning our families first Disneyland trip. We are planning to be in California for one week at the end of August. Planning to split the trip between Disneyland and a stay at a beach resort. Looking for hotel recommendations for the beach part. Looking for something within an hour drive from Disney. Must be family friendly - we have a 6 and 8 year old. Looking for something on the beach/beach access, with kid friendly pools (slides are a big plus) and decent sized rooms. Also would like activities and restaurants in walking distance. Finally if it happens to be in the Marriott family of hotels, that is a plus as we have points we could use - but willing to look at any family friendly beach resort. Thanks in advance for any recommendations!!

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Try checking the Hilton Waterfront Beach Resort in Huntington Beach, the Ritz Carlton Laguna Niguel (a Marriott property), and the Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort and Spa. Don't know how family friendly these properties are, but the websites should give you a clear idea. For kid friendly pools with waterslides, look at the Marriot Courtyard Themepark Entrance by DLR -- sounds exactly like what you're looking for! And gets great reviews on the DLR board. One idea: stay at the Courtyard Themepark Entrance for the whole week and take day trips to different beaches that are near DLR. There are several beaches that are within an hour's drive that are family friendly -- Huntington, Newport (Balboa Island has boardwalk games, etc.), Dana Point and Crystal Cove have tide pools, Laguna, etc. These beaches are easy to get to by car or you can use ride share.