Beaches near Anaheim
 

We're traveling with our daughter, son-in-law, and their family this September to Disneyland. They live in the mountains (Truckee, CA) and most of our grand-kids have never seen the ocean (but the 3 older ones are great skiers already!). Their ages are 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9. Can anyone recommend a good beach near enough that we can take these kids to so they can play in the sand and splash around a bit in the water? We'll be staying at a place called Dolphin's Cove Resort in Anaheim. Any advice is appreciated.

Huntington Beach is often recommended on here.

Seal Beach by the pier.

Newport Beach is straight down Harbor Boulevard, but my favorite (though a little farther away) would be Laguna. Huntington is closest to Anaheim (not by much) but is probably the least scenic of the three. (And I say this even though Huntington was "my" beach when I was a kid.)

I'd go to Laguna Beach.

Crystal Cove State Park between Newport Beach and Laguna. Park in the Los Trancos lot just across Pacific Coast Highway from the Historic District (http://www.crystalcovestatepark.com/historic.htm). Older kids can explore the tidepools, and the Historic Distric is picturesque.

With either Newport Beach or Laguna, finish by having dinner at Ruby's at the end of the pier. It is the original and just so much fun. Go to the bathroom at the beginning of the pier before walking out to the restaurant. If you go to the company website, it is the Balboa location.

http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/rubys...smQugCiNz8Cbzg

Thanks to all for the beach recommendations and advice! Will do more research now that I have some suggestions for places to visit!