Which OC beach?

[mrswh]

Staying in Anaheim for a Disney trip and we are going to take a beach day while we're here. Aside from a day at Laguna a decade ago, I'm not at all familiar with the OC beaches. We are looking for somewhere clean, not packed with drunk spring breakers, calm enough that the kids can put their toes in the water, nice sand to play in (the sand will be the focus of the visit), and (very important) decent public bathrooms. We can't go somewhere that is lacking bathrooms or has only port-a-potties. Convenient parking is a plus and we are happy to pay for it.

Any suggestions appreciated!

 

[barefootmomma]

I'm really fond of Newport Beach, particularly near the Balboa Pier. (http://www.visitnewportbeach.com/member_details.cfm?id=639)

 

[zbargainmama]

The best beach around is Crystal Cove! It is gorgeous, with lots of tide pools we go when it is negative tides and find octopus, sea cows etc in the tidepools. The beach is nice and clean and very family friendly. There is a restraunt right on the beach that is very yummy too.

 

[lorasmom]

The best beach around is Crystal Cove! It is gorgeous, with lots of tide pools we go when it is negative tides and find octopus, sea cows etc in the tidepools. The beach is nice and clean and very family friendly. There is a restraunt right on the beach that is very yummy too.

Sea cows are manatees, and probably not in the tide pools

Crystal Cove is lovely, but parking is $15.

Laguna Beach is just south on PCH, and parking is just a couple bucks. I like the tide pools there better, but it's definitely more crowded than Crystal Cove.