What is a Good Family Beach Near L.A.?

Question

We are planning a trip to Disney (LA) in the comming weeks and would like to spend a day at the beach. We have a young child and would like to find a family friendly beach. We were thinking Newport or Hunington. Any suggestions?

Answer 1

Malibu Beach-Malibu Beach is actually a misnomer – there are 12 beaches along Malibu’s 21 miles of coastline beginning north of Santa Monica. And they are some of the most scenic – and prestigious – in the world.
Much of the area is favored by veteran surfers (not recommended for novices), but there's plenty more. If you want to just sun or bikini watch at one of the white-sand favorites, Zuma Beach, that's fine. But the Malibu coast also allows for horseback riding, hiking, rock climbing, wind surfing, kayaking and volleyball. An estuary at Malibu Lagoon teems with sea birds, and you can explore hidden coves and tide pools.
The area has been the site of TV shows like “Baywatch,” and Annette Funicello and Frankie Avalon filmed their “Beach Party” movies here.
Upscale shopping centers and posh restaurants dot the region. There's also a branch of Pepperdine University near the town of Malibu itself.

Newport Beach and Pier-Newport Beach features miles of sandy beach, but the area around the pier is particularly popular. The pier brings a soothing feeling of the past. Made of wood, it excellent for relaxing and romantic walks, and it’s a great place to romp
with the kids. A popular fish restaurant is at the end of the pier.
On a clear day – and there are many of them – it looks like you could swim to Catalina Island, even though it’s more than 20 miles away.
Lie in the sand -- or swim, surf or bike.
There are charming little shops almost right on the beach, with everything from seashells and surfing goodies to pizza and cocktails, all with a beautiful view of the water.
The city of Newport itself is one of the nation’s richest, boasting gourmet dining, world-class hotels and opulent shopping. And it’s well-known as a home for Hollywood stars.
The list has included John Wayne, Buddy Ebsen, Joey Bishop and Shirley Temple. Even today, it’s not unusual to see John Wayne's 136-foot yacht, "The Wild Goose," plying the waters off Balboa Island.

Venice Beach-Venice Beach, once known as the “Coney Island of the Pacific,” is a renowned hangout for many of Southern California’s “beautiful people” – and some of the region’s eccentric ones as well.
In other words, it’s a people watcher’s paradise. You can see just about anyone – or anything – on the old-fashioned boardwalk. In summer months, it is packed with skaters, roller-bladers and bicyclists.

Enjoy the garish and wild public-art areas, including huge murals.

And then there’s the people circus: street musicians, break dancers, amateur comedians, belly dancers, painters and preachers. There’s even a chain-saw juggler. Definitely drop into a few of the strange and funky shops.

This isn’t your grandfather’s beach!



Legendary Muscle Beach is also here, the famed spot where Arnold Schwarzenegger and other bodybuilders have "bulked up" in the outdoor weight room.

And so are the remnants of the 16 miles of canals that once graced the town, which was originally modeled after the Italian city of the same name.

Laguna Beach-Laguna Beach’s Main Beach is known as the historic art colony’s “Window to the Sea.” It’s a place where the weather is so perfect year-round, you might see a spirited beach volleyball game being played on Christmas Day.
Tourists from around the world flock to the pristine beach, located in the heart of downtown. Besides sand and surf, the beach also offers basketball, picnic tables, tide pools and a children’s play area and showers.

There are no concessions on the beach, but take-out places like Diedrich’s Coffee, Johnny Rockets and other eateries are within easy walking distance.

There’s also a pathway to the city’s Heisler Park, which offers gorgeous coastline views, walking trails and picnic areas.

After your day at the beach, stroll up Broadway and enjoy the town. There are art galleries and antiques galore. Check out the evening’s performances at the cozy Laguna Playhouse.

Huntington Beach and Pier-Huntington Beach is officially known as Surf City, and for good reason. With its 3.5-mile stretch of pristine shoreline, it is paradise for practitioners of the sport.More than 8 million people flock here annually for sun and fun, whether for major events like the U.S. Open of Surfing or just to enjoy the beach – volleyball, anyone?
There are the usual amenities – plenty of restrooms, and fire pits for after-sunset barbecuing – but that’s only the beginning.
The pier is a major Southern California landmark, stretching 1,853 feet out into the Pacific. It offers an ideal vantage point for viewing the coastline and Catalina Island and watching the surfers. You stand far out the water – literally above the waves! What can you see through one of the telescopes?
The pier is home to the Surf City Store, Kite Connections and Ruby’s Surf Diner, which is located at the ocean end. At the base of the pier are Duke’s and Chimayo’s restaurants, offering a more upscale atmosphere and beautiful views.

Bolsa Chica State Beach-Bolsa Chica State Beach is one of Orange County’s most family-friendly. Nothing fancy or expensive – just an accent on camping and fishing and plain old shoreline fun.
It is enormously popular as a place to reel in perch, croaker, cabezon and even sand shark. Ever been grunion hunting? This is the place to do it.
The beach is expansive, stretching three miles from Seal Beach to the Huntington Pier, and a bikeway can be ridden to Huntington State Beach.
There are 64 overnight camping sites (no tents, though). There are plenty of fire rings, snack stands and restrooms.
Dogs on leashes are permitted.
Just across the Coast Highway is the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve, a wetlands reserve where five endangered bird species can be seen.
It’s the largest salt-marsh reserve in the Los Angeles-Orange County region. Its 300 acres are a vital oasis for shore birds and millions of other birds as they wing from the Arctic to South America. Nearly 200 species are documented each year.
Don’t forget your binoculars!
The reserve is open from sunrise to sunset.


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Answer 2

Long Beach? NO! Huntington Beach is MUCH better. Newport Beach is also an excellent choice, especially by the Balboa Pier. If you want a campfire to roast marshmallows and hot dogs, go to Bolsa Chica State Beach. At the end of the HB Pier and Balboa Pier, there is a Ruby's Diner, which is a 50's retro diner with good food and EXCELLENT shakes. Any beach you go to, you're most liketly going to have to pay to park. Also, June weather is usually very cool at the beach, You get a lot of fog, which may last all day. Dress in layers and bring a sweater, even if it's sunny in Anaheim. And the water will be cold, too, probably about 60 degrees. But a day at the beach beats a day at work (or school) ANY time.

Answer 3

My favorite beach in that neck of the woods is Salt Creek on the Laguna/Dana Point border. It sits just below the Ritz-Carlton. The beach is at the bottom of a hill, so walking down is not bad, but coming back up it is better to have someone run up and get the car and bring it down for loading.

There is a nice grassy area, restrooms, gentle waves, nice areas to explore. A very family friendly beach.

Answer 4

Zuma beach in Malibu is one of the best beaches in Southern California. Disneyland is in Anaheim (located in Orange county), which is about 90 minutes away from Malibu, so it's not that close. Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, Huntington Beach would be closer. I would stick to Laguna or Newport beach. Enjoy your stay!

Answer 5

In Orange County: Huntington Beach
Or if you don't mind going a bit north into Los Angeles County, there's Santa Monica, and Manhattan Beach

Answer 6

Huntington but it can get crowded

Answer 7

Huntington, is nice.

Answer 8

www.vrbo.com for great cheap lodging