Beaches near Disneyland

Old Jun 23rd, 2005, 08:47 PM
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Beaches near Disneyland

Can anyone recommend a nice family oriented beach (traveling with a 13 and 5 yr.old) that is not too far from Garden Grove/Anaheim area. Something within 30 - 40 minute drive? I've heard about Laguna Beach being nice, but don't know how far it is. Any suggestions? THANKS!
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Old Jun 23rd, 2005, 09:06 PM
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Okay let's start with the fact there is absolutely no beaches near Disneyland. I think Huntington Beach is your best option. Stay at they new Hyatt that is nearby. It may not be the swankiest but your teens will definately have a great time and so will you. Laguna Beach is good but that will require a somewhat long drive (especially in the summer) and you won't stay anywhere good unless it is at least 500 or 600 a night.
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Old Jun 23rd, 2005, 09:31 PM
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Within the drive time you stimulate I would suggest Corona Del Mar .The cliffside setting and beautiful views make it a must see.
The State(I think) Beach has a good swimming and sometimes bodysurfing beach.
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Old Jun 23rd, 2005, 10:03 PM
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I really don't think Huntington Beach is all that far from Disneyland. It is not right next door but it isn't super far. There is a nice beach there and many shops and restaurants. The Hyatt Regency and the Hilton in Huntington Beach are both nice.
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Old Jun 24th, 2005, 07:21 AM
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Yep, Anaheim isn't exactly a coastal hamlet. Seal Beach and Huntington Beach are your closest bets, and they are both 20 miles away driving.

Huntington Beach is better set up vis-à-vis hotels, but it's a very popular summer beach (and it gets surfer traffic 365 days a year). Seal Beach is much quieter, but has far fewer hotels near the shore. Corona del Mar is lovely, but that is a neighborhood of ritzy Newport Beach, so you'll be spending a lot. Laguna is expensive. It's my favorite beach community in OC, but you pay for the pleasure.

Huntington is your best bet, I must say.
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Old Jun 25th, 2005, 04:36 PM
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Hi jojo. I would also suggest Corona del Mar. The setting is so beautiful, with the houses up on the bluff and the breakwater with the ships coming in. Brings back lots of memories of days on the beach when the kiddos were young and when I lived there...

While you're in the Newport Beach/CdM area, you might also like to catch the ferry for a very short ride over to Balboa Island, where there's a sort of boardwalk area with a few rides (ferris wheel is fun especially at night), shops, restaurants, and of course you can take a cruise in the bay. Very nice!

Enjoy your trip to SoCal!
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Old Jun 25th, 2005, 10:40 PM
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Kopp, tell us more about this ferry to Balboa Island, where does it launch from, is there a website for more info ? (in the meantime I will go look.......)

I'm doing the same thing as jojo7, but with a 17 yr old., I am being force to go to 'Block at Orange' for a couple of hours, and then on to HB for the rest of the day.
 
Old Jun 26th, 2005, 10:08 AM
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Here's a couple links which should help with getting to Balboa Island, as well as what's happening in the local area:

http://www.balboa-island.com

http://www.balboaislandferry.com (once there, click on maps and it will give you good directions)

Happy travels!
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Old Jun 26th, 2005, 06:19 PM
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Huntington Beach isnt that great. It can get very dirty.
I would recommend Laguna or Corona del Mar-both within 30 mins of the park. My daughter is 5 and I take her to both all the time.
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Old Jun 26th, 2005, 09:37 PM
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Thanks everyone for the great suggestions. Corona del Mar does look nice and 30-40 minutes is perfect if we should decide to go for the day. I did a search on the web and came across some nice photos. I also appreciate the info on the Balboa Island Ferry. It sounds like something we would want to do. I have one more question I was hoping anyone could help me with. If we should decide to stay overnight in the Corona del Mar/Newport Beach area, any suggestions on accomodations? Would like to be on the beach if the rates are not super expensive. THANKS!
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Old Jun 27th, 2005, 06:03 AM
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The Marriot Fashion Island is all torn up; the Four Seasons in Fashion Island is very expensive. There are hotel rooms in the Balboa Bay Club, don't know about the price. The location is on the water, but the better beaches are a drive away. There also is a Hyatt near Balboa Island; and a Holiday Inn Express on Coast Highway in Newport Beach that had some high marks on tripadvisor.com. I would probably head to Big Corona Beach, because you can pay to park close by and there are facilities. Little Corona is my favorite but you have to hike there, and then there is nothing but beach. (No snacks, and potties are far). After the beach, you could head to your hotel and check in, then take the ferry over to Balboa Island and play in the Fun Zone for awhile. It's a car ferry; check it out cause I'm not sure they allow foot passengers. The Fun Zone has a few rides and arcade games, and my kids love it, and we go often. It's not all new and spanking clean, but it's fun in a blast-from-the-past way. You also might want to google Newport Beach Pier and Balboa Pier. It's fun to walk along these piers and there are places to eat nearby. If you want to do something even more different, here's one last thought. My son, who is 7, took a school trip on Amtrak from the station in Santa Ana to San Clemente. The train lets you out right on the sand. There are restaurants and shops there, a nice beach, and it's a 30 minute train trip. It's further away, but it was fun to get off the train and be right there at the beach. I can't wait to do it again with our entire family.
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Old Jun 27th, 2005, 08:30 PM
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I'm a Balboa Island expert...having been a summer renter there for 20+ years. Definitely go to the island...enter it off Jamboree and Pacific Coast Highway intersection. Fun shopping...have a frozen banana on the island. Everything is on main street. Parking is kinda' tight - but worth it. Other cute stores - Even Sisters for the 13 year old...Our Gang Store for the 5 year old. Walk to the bay and look at the gorgeous homes and boats. All the streets are named after stones...we vacation on Topaz. The ferry is located in the middle of the island - on Agate st. Look for signs. Less than 5 dollars for you and your car. I would suggest leaving your car on the island, (near Agate), walk on to the ferry and then play in the Fun Zone with the kids. Then walk towards the ocean to the Balboa Pier and have lunch on the Pier at Ruby's. Always a wait at Ruby's but well worth it. Order the Balboa Burger. Or go to BJ's pizza if you don't want to wait. Laguna is further, so is Corona del Mar. Both have better swimming beaches, but remember the water is somewhat cold (its not Florida, ok!) The waves near the Balboa Pier are rough, so be careful. Corona Del Mar beach has much better waves for kids. I think you enter the public beach from Margarite. If you need to work off your lunch at Ruby's rent a bike at the Balboa Pier and ride along the boardwalk! And if that's not enough, take the touristy Fun Zone tour boat and it will take you around the island for cheap. I'm embarrassed to say that we still take the tour every 4-5 years just to see whats new on the island (lots of famous people like John Wayne lived on the island at one time!)Fun, fun, fun!
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Old Jun 27th, 2005, 08:33 PM
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By the way, the Balboa Bay Club is very expensive, rooms are on the bay and you would still have to drive to the beach.
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Old Jun 29th, 2005, 03:31 PM
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tennislvr1: Wow! What a great post. I really appreciate all the information because I am total ignorant when it comes to California since this is my first time there. All the things you mentioned from burgers to boats fit our interests and I am going to print your post so I have all the necessary info. I will be sure to post a reply when we return. Thanks again!
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Old Jun 30th, 2005, 07:18 AM
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jojo7 - we are going to be in Newport Beach the end of July - I found what sounds like a good place to stay. It's Newport Channel Inn, on PCH across the street from the beach. I found it through AAA and the rates aren't bad considering it's across the street from the beach - and nothing but the beach is across the street. It's not a "luxury" place but for overnight it might be okay for you. Look up their website and check it out.
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