After a Couple of Rainy Days and Temps in Low
60's the Sun Returns Right on Queue
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Laguna's Main Beach offers excellent sun n sand as well as a very cool seaside village for art lovers and shoppers of all kinds
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All across the country, winter has been chillier than normal. Everyone certainly seems ready for spring. Fortunately, the weather in Southern California is favorable to visiting the beach year
round, even though the temperatures may not be warm enough to swim. But once spring arrives, everyone here, visitors and locals alike, is ready and waiting to throw on their bikinis and board shorts! The temperatures may not be quite as warm as summer, but the skies are blue, the sand is full of sun bathers and kids building sand castles, and the water is full of swimmers, surfers, and boogie boarders. There are some fantastic beach spots along the OC’s 42 miles of sparkling coastline. Fantastic in terms of a beautiful beach that’s easy to get to, places to eat nearby, parking, and items to rent or buy that you may have forgotten to bring. Most locations have all these amenities within walking distance. Our local reporters who know all the ins and outs of our OC beaches have put together a go to list of those that offer a magnificent spring day at the beach. There are many beaches throughout Southern California, but some are harder to reach than others. So we’re focusing on those that will be easy to find and provide a memorable, fun day for your family.
Huntington Beach – Surf, Sand and Suntans
Huntington Beach is known as Surf City USA®, and with its surf wear shops and local wave-rider hangouts, visitors can’t help but dive into its infectious surf culture. But if you’re not a surfer and you just want to enjoy a day at the beach, that’s not a problem. With eight and a
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Huntington Beach, "Surf City USA" is the birth place of west coast
surfing and the inspiration of many of the Beach Boys early hits
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half miles of sand and water, there’s plenty of room for everyone. Between Warner Ave. (405 Freeway exit) and south to the Santa Ana River, you’ll find Bolsa Chica State Beach, Huntington City Beach and Huntington State Beach on Pacific Coast Highway (PCH). The three beaches are connected by a paved trail for walking, jogging, rollerblading and cycling with a continuous view of the ocean. Spend a day on the expansive beach playing volleyball, taking a surf lesson, sunbathing or watching the surf pros in action in the water. Surfboards, boogie boards and bicycles can be rented on a seasonal basis from the many beach concession stands that line the paved path or anytime of year from the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort & Spa and the Hilton Waterfront Beach Resort. There are numerous snack stands along the beach, particularly near the Huntington Beach Pier. Check out Zack’s on the north side of the Pier. It has just about everything you need for a day at the beach. Fire rings for beach bonfires are available on a first-come, first-served basis throughout the year.
Main Street, at the intersection of PCH and the Pier, offers trendsetting boutiques and eclectic restaurants, along with sidewalk diners and funky souvenir shops. If you want a bite to eat before you make the drive back to your hotel, just walk up to Main Street from the beach. You’ll find a wide range of dining options. If you happen to go to Huntington on a Friday, be sure to check out the certified farmers' market and an art fair featuring more than 50 vendors selling handmade arts, gifts and crafts, generally held every Friday afternoon.
To get to Huntington Beach, take the 405 Freeway to Beach Blvd. south. Make a right on Pacific Coast Highway, about 5.5 miles down Beach Blvd. Lot parking is available at all three beaches, beginning with a lot just north of the Pier. Metered street parking is available up and down PCH.
Newport Beach – The Real OC
If there’s one thing all Newport Beach visitors rave about, it’s the beautiful waters. Newport Beach boasts nine miles of Southern California’s most legendary coastline. The locale inspired one of TV’s greatest hits, The OC, and in person, it certainly holds up. In 2002 and 2003, the Travel Channel named Newport Beach one of the Best Places to Get a Tan and the Hottest Place to Cool Off, and the city continues to live up to this reputation.
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Newport, home to the rich and famous, is a beach favorite |
For beach enthusiasts, the trip wouldn’t be complete without finding a spot on the sand and gazing out to the dazzling Pacific Ocean. The sands of Newport Beach begin just north of the Balboa Peninsula at the Santa Ana River Jetty (where Huntington Beach ends) and continues south to the Newport Jetty. It boasts waves with ideal bodysurfing conditions, great surfing and sand volleyball courts. The nearby boardwalk is often busy with rollerbladers, runners, skateboarders and bicyclists.
If you want to set your towel down near snack stands, memorabilia shops, beach supply rentals and casual dining spots, head to the Newport Pier at 21st Street. This area is also known as Blackies and has a large parking lot for easy access. You’re set for the day. Grab dinner at the Crab Cooker, a landmark restaurant that’s perfect for families and has the best seafood in town. It’s easy to see bright red building located just across the street from the Pier.
As you travel further south along the Peninsula, you’ll come to the Balboa Pier (just a couple of miles south). This thriving location is popular with locals and visitors alike. You’ll find the same amenities as the Newport Pier, but in greater quantity. And just across the street is the Balboa Fun Zone and Arcade, a fun family spot with a ferris wheel, merry-go-round, video games, and carnival eats. Both Pier locations offer public restrooms and showers for a quick and easy clean up at the end of the day.
If your family prefers fewer people on the beach, but equally good water conditions, and you don’t mind not having a snack stand or restroom real close by, park your car at any parking meter on the Peninsula. You can enjoy a beautiful day at the beach with your own picnic. Just pick up some sandwiches, chips, fruit and sodas at one of the many sandwich shops on your way to the beach.
There are two routes to get to the Balboa Peninsula and the Newport and Balboa Piers. You can either take the 55 Freeway South, which ends and becomes Newport Blvd. You will cross over Pacific Coast Highway, and then approximately a mile past PCH you will find the Newport Pier on your right. Continue down Balboa Blvd. approximately two miles to get to Balboa Pier. Your other choice is to take PCH south from Huntington Beach. You will pass the River Jetty. Turn right at Balboa Blvd. and in about a mile or so, you’ll see the Newport Pier on your right.
Laguna Beach –The Artist’s Dream and a Beachgoer’s Paradise
Laguna Beach’s reputation as an artist’s colony is confirmed by its magnificent beaches and picturesque ocean views. Although its beaches are spectacular with rocky cliffs and worthy of keepsake photography, many have private entries, making it a little difficult for visitors to access. Once you’re on the beach, though, the beauty of the location is worth the effort.
The easiest spot to get to for a day on the sand in Laguna is Main Beach, at the intersection of PCH and Laguna Canyon Road. Just look for the basketball court and sand volleyball nets. At this location, your family will have close proximity to snack spots as well as public restrooms. Parking is a challenge, but also worth the effort. There are street meters, however, multi-hour parking is available in a parking structure on Gleneyre St., just one block north of PCH, between Park and Legion. It fills up quickly, so you’ll want to arrive early in the morning.
For the more adventurous and those who don’t mind a bit of a walk, cliff top entries to the beach are located at the ends of most streets that cross PCH. Beachgoers then walk down trails to the beach.
One of the great advantages of a beach day in Laguna is the opportunity to explore this artsy community. If you want a break from the sun and sand, take a walk along PCH. You’ll find art galleries, a wide variety of casual restaurants, trendy boutiques, and shops filled with take-home treasures made by local artisans. You’ll be taking home a “piece” of Laguna Beach. Whether you’re strolling through town admiring the windows of art galleries or relaxing on the beach with crashing waves, you’re sure to feel invigorated by the sights and sounds.
Reach Laguna by taking the 405 Freeway South to the 73 South Tollroad. Exit at Laguna Canyon Road. You will dead end at PCH and see the beautiful glittering Pacific Ocean. If you are already on PCH in either Huntington Beach or Newport Beach, just continue south on PCH until you enter Laguna Beach.
San Clemente - The Spanish Village by the Sea
San Clemente known as "Spanish Village by the Sea" sits at the most southern end of Orange
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San Clemente's Beach Trail and Boardwalk allows easy access to San Clemente beaches
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County. San Clemente is bordered by Camp Pendleton to the south, home to many of our young marines fighting oversees.
San Clemente is picturesque, seaside community with everything you need for a memorable day. Parking is available just steps from the sand. Once you’re parked, you can choose either side of The San Clemente pier to set up camp. Downtown is walking distance for any supplies you may need although I would suggest you pick up what you need before you get there as the walk to town has a slight incline. One of the unique features of San Clemente is the Beach Train. The Beach Train bellows up the coast, right up to the pier about every half hour. First traveling south to San Diego then back north to Los Angeles. If you had enough sun and want a little exercise, you can take a walk along the newly completed beach trail, a delightful way to spend a beautiful SoCal afternoon with stunning, oceans views and ancient cliffs standing sentry overhead. Check out our Coastal map for directions and plan on spending the day at the Spanish Villa by the Sea!
Check Out the Local Surf Shops
Even if you decide not to venture into the water, you can at least look the part. Pick up some board shorts, Rainbows (the classic flip flop for surfers), or even a tee shirt while you’re in town. All your friends at home will think you’re cool, and your purchase will remind you of your great SoCal vacation! Here’s a list of shops in our beach spots:
Huntington Beach
Huntington Surf and Sport
300 Pacific Coast Highway
714.841.4000
Newport Beach
Jack’s Surfboards
2727 Balboa Blvd.
949.673.2300
Laguna Beach
Laguna Surf and Sport
1088 So. Coast Highway
949.497.7000
San Clemente
Killer Dana
1321 Calle Valle
(949) 218-1315
We hope our beach tour has been helpful to you and that your family has a great day whether you’re in the waves, on the sand, or partaking in the local sights. Come back again
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