We have booked 10 days in Anaheim to do Disney & beaches. Getting a little nervous having read some of the postings. Staying at Radisson maingate for 10 nights - should we switch to beach area or can anyone give opinion on better area to stay. 4 adults and four "juniors" aged 10 - 18. Views appreciated and any helpful tips

I would recommend staying near Disneyland only for the days you plan to go to Disneyland, and then going to a hotel in a beach community - Orange County has many - Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, Seal Beach - to name a few good ones. Otherwise you're going to spend a lot of time in the car going back and forth - Anaheim isn't near any of the good beaches.

agree with tip above --stay by DLand only for the days you are at the parks. Areas not far from the parks are crappy and other than Knotts Berry Farm (good amusement park) there is nothing else to see or do in that area and you are driving alot -- and the area in the 5-10 mile radius near there is some of the worst traffic. Your juniors will love Huntington Beach (surf city) and south of that is Newport Beach and Laguna Beach all highly recommended spots. I would do a few days in HB then a few in Laguna and visit points north and south. If you are here and with that age group make a day for Universal Studios or even farthur north to Magic Mountain -- where ALL the best rollercoasters are. (Speaking from experience with 3 boys now 18 and over). You can easily do a day trip to San Diego from Laguna (about 90 min max one way) and there is lots of stuff north to LA.

There are several really good posters from LA and OC area that always give good tips on where to stay and what to see -- do some searches. They will probably answer this one soon also.

I live here and couldn't imagine staying 10 days in Anahiem! The hotel you booked is fine, but I would only stay to do Disney and perhaps Knott's. If the kids are into theme parks, then Knott's would be a nice addition to Disney and not too far away.

As far as where else to stay? Depends on what else you want to do. Doing just beaches for 7 days can get a little old. If you are interested in poking around a bit, there is San Diego 2 hours south of Orange County and LA just about an hour north. My suggestion would be to stay in either Newport Beach, Huntington Beach, or Seal Beach. Any one of these has terrific beaches that cater to a younger crowd - especially Newport and Huntington. You might not see the kids for days! j/k!

Staying in these locations will also provide you with an opportunity to take a day trip to San Diego and also do excursions up to Los Angeles, if the mood strikes you.

It also depends on what time of year you plan to vacation here. Despite what a lot people think, Southern California is not "beach weather" year round. We do get colder weather. So if you are thinking of, say, February you might be disappointed if you have your heart set on relaxing on the beach. If you are thinking later in Spring, you should have a fine time!

Thanks for these replies - now looking to spend half of hols in Huntingdon beach area. We will be there over xmas & new year - weather forecasts look godd at preseent - sunny and 72 degrees - anyone know if we are likely to get some good beach days at that time of year? Many thanks

Over Xmas and New Year's, chances are that no, you won't have ideal beach weather. Our current weather is wonderful, but it's quite a bit warmer than the norm for this time of year. Highs in the 60s are typical. And the water will be very cool (this is considered the north Pacific).

Having said that, I do recall one New Year's Eve I spent in a swimming pool in Torrance. It could be gorgeous-- I just wouldn't count on it.