Best beach near DLR for short visit?

[smartmouse]

Hello Disneyland and SoCal experts,

This is our first trip out to Disneyland and we will be there at the end of May. My daughter would love to have the chance to see the ocean and look for shells to take back home. I only want to devote about a half day to this beach excursion. We would not swim, but would like to walk on the beach, look for shells, maybe see some sights and eat lunch before heading back to the parks. We will have a rental car (large SUV) which I will need to park near the beach.

What beach would you guys recommend for a quick trip like this that has easy parking and the activities we are hoping to do? I've heard Huntington Beach , Corona Del Mar and Crescent Bay are all good choices, but I am having a lot of trouble assessing activties and parking options.

I appreciate any local knowledge you are willing to share!

-Cristin

 

[TP2000]

Hopefully your beach day can be on a weekday, as any Orange County beach will be much less crowded than on a weekend.

I think you will want to go to Crystal Cove State Park, which is far more family friendly than Huntington Beach (a party beach scene). Crystal Cove also has fantastic beach combing environments, plus tide pools and general Oceanography sights and experiences. It also has a dedicated fee parking lot across Pacific Coast Highway, which you then walk down along a nature trail to get to the beach. It's about a 30 minute drive from the Disneyland Hotel.

http://www.crystalcovestatepark.org/

Crystal Cove is famous for two things; its tide pools and its rental beach cottages managed by the California State Park system. But be warned, the tide pools are subject to the tides for availability, so if you show up at high tide you won't see much of the tide pools or be able to get to them. And a reminder that it is illegal to take any organism from a tide pool in California.

The cottages on the beach there are cute to look at, but people are staying in them so remember they aren't decoration, so don't walk up on the porches.

Right next door to Crystal Cove on PCH is Ruby's Shake Shack, a famous burger stand where you can get a modestly-priced lunch with a Million Dollar view of the Pacific. http://rubys.com/locations/newportcoast/

 

[Stevek]

I heartily agree on Crystal Cove. We've taken the girls there a few times. Ruby's Shake Shack at the top of the hill and the Beachcomber for some adult beverages right on the beach. Beautiful setting. Beyond that, Newport Beach and Balboa are basically at the end of the 55, south of DL. Both beaches are nice, Balboa has the fun zone with a couple of rides and arcades.

 

[BubbaQuest]

I think Huntington Beach is the best if you are looking for a "Baywatch"/as-seen-on-tv style beach. That is, large flat and groomed. It is definitely Surf City USA. It also means possibly large crowds and their Main Street can get a little crazy on Friday and Saturday nights.

I agree with others that Crystal Cove is great place to walk/hike and see things other than surfers and the waves. The only issue for me is getting through Newport Beach on PCH (Highway 1) during the weekends can be difficult for me. I'm not sure if all the construction in that area is finally finished.

I like Bolsa Chica State Beach as an alternative as you can sneak in on Warner Avenue and avoid all the Huntington Beach traffic. Not much there other than a beach and a marine conservation area, though.

 

[smartmouse]

Thank you all for the information! We will hopefully have our beach day on a Wednesday, weather permitting of course. I appreciate all the ideas. As usual you guys are the best!

 

[NobodyElse]

The only issue for me is getting through Newport Beach on PCH (Highway 1) during the weekends can be difficult for me.

Coming from Anaheim, It's Probably best to come down Newport Coast Drive, and avoid that section of PCH (both Mariner's Mile and Corona Del Mar) all together.