We are considering adding a beach morning to our trip. But, we know nothing about the beach.
Does anyone have a favorite ‘easy’ beach? And, even better, does anyone have a great beach hotel? This leg of our trip needs to be closer to SNA and Knott’s. Looking for something where the kids can play in the sand or watch boats or surfers. Food nearby. I don’t even know what to ask.
TIA
I have been to several of the beaches in the area. I keep going back to Huntington Beach because it is the “easiest.” It is a straight shot from Disneyland, it has ample parking, and there are bathrooms (albeit very basic ones) every so often along the length of the beach. There is plenty of room and the pier itself is fun to walk down.
That said, it is a popular beach so it will be peoply. If you want something that feels more remote, Crystal Cove near Newport is a good option. We usually park at the Beachcomber parking and walk through the tunnel.
Balboa Island and Newport Beach are kinda in-between – more intimate feel than Huntington, but still very popular.
Oh, and Huntington Beach pier is a popular spot for surfers.
There are lots of hotels near Huntington Beach, but I have no personal experience there so a Yelp search would probably do you better than anything I’d offer. When I’ve looked it up in the past, I noticed there was like a Hyatt there that looked nice.
Absolutely second Huntington!
I grew up going to Newport when we vacationed to SoCal because that was my Dad’s home beach closest to where he was raised as a kid and he just loved going back there. And it’s beautiful and nostalgic for me, but Huntington is just dang easy. But yes, it is a busy one. But definitely the closest, straightest shot from Disneyland.
I also don’t have beach hotel recommendations but it’s easy enough from DLR that we’ve just driven from our hotel to it when we’ve gone.
This is what we have done as well.
Do you know I asked my family if they’d like a half day at a beach - you know Pacific Ocean, West coast all that, and they all three said “Nah”
I was shocked and a little bummed!
There’s so much to California as a whole to see that way more often than not the beach doesn’t make it into our plans too. It’s more been an activity we do on days we have been blocked from the parks but planned to be there around that blocked day and didn’t want to spend money on doing a different park or event but wanted more than lounging around the hotel and meandering Downtown Disney.
Thank you everyone!
I came across one of your trip reports in my search. I think 2022. Looks like fun!
I’ve expanded my search to Newport now. I’m surprised about how few hotels are actually walking distance to the beach in Huntington.
I’m thinking about this. But, I just keep imagining that oceanview room! My wallet is not really aligning with my vision though! Ha
We are 3/4 for it right now. But my elementary schooler is actually afraid to go to the beach. Hard pass for that one.
Thanks for the recommendations everyone! The search continues
We had a trip where we got the beach and 5 minutes into setting up the towels (far back from the water), my younger son (then 4) asked if we could be done now, he didn’t like it at all and was too worried to stay. DH stayed with him on the towel while I took the other 3 kids up closer to the water. And it was most definitely the waves that got him. If we go to still calm, beaches, he has no fears. But if there’s waves, he gets anxious about what it could be bringing in.