Best Beaches in Southern California
 

I will be traveling to Southern California in August & staying in Orange County. Need suggestions for the best beaches in this area and south of the OC all the way down to San Diego. Thank you in advance.

What is your criteria for best beaches? Sunbathing, beach volleyball, people watching, shopping, scenic beauty, etc?

In Orange County (no one calls it "the OC", anymore than anyone calls the Highway Patrol "CHiPs"). Anyway, Capistrano, Dana Beach, I dunno, it's all pretty much the same up there, overrun, chilly, bleak.

If you want a really beautiful beach, try Torrey Pines in San Diego, tall cliffs, with a park on top with great ocean views.

Skip that one up top of SD county, whassitcalled, Orlando, Osinder, near the nuclear power plant just over the Orange County line. It's crap unless you surf.

Just South of Laguna Beach, right next to the Montage Resort is a beach that qualifies in my book as one of the prettiest I have seen. It is called Treasure something? I can't remember the exact name, but it is a public beach and the guests from the upscale Montage Resort are right on the same beach. There are lifeguards there, and a small parking area. Most people park on the street at Meters. There is an Albertson Grocery store right across the street. I have pictures of it on my shutterfly, if you are interested, I can send you a picture of the place and you will think it is a post card. It is just that beautiful! San Clemente was real laid back and nice also..
We just got back from a California Coastal vacation, where we visited as many beaches as we could in a 2 week period in Orange County and all the way up to Santa Barbara.

WindandSea Beach and Blacks Beach are the most scenic and dramatic, IMO. WindandSea is off La Jolla Blvd -- take a right at Nautilus or Playa Del Norte Blvd and park on one of these streets (if it's still allowed). This beach has miles of rocky beautiful coves but is still sandy enough to lie out on comfortably. Blacks Beach is a part of the Torrey Pines area that sightseer mentioned -- some of this beach is clothing optional but the nudists are generally down a ways -- very famous surfspot.

I think wide sandy SoCal beaches are boring and ugly. San Onofre and San Clemente are the beaches near the power plant, I think.

Manhattan Beach and Redondo Beach are cute beach areas in L.A., a little north of long beach.

The best of anything is, of course, inherently subjective. Twp that I would recommend are Shaw Cove, just north of Laguna and Little Corona, just south of Corona Del Mar. Both are small, scenic, and relatively uncrowded. You can reach Shaw off of Scenic Avenue and Little Corona off Poppy Street.

I like Crystal Cove, just south of Corona Del Mar.

As a "local" I'd choose Salt Creek Beach by the Ritz Carlton and in front of the St. Regis. Local parking available with parking meters. However, if you choose to go to the Ritz to stay or for a meal, you can always hit the beach after, but pay for parking. The meters are cheaper!
Aliso Beach is between the Ritz Carlton area and Montage and has a lovely bay with meter parking.
The beach in front of the Surf and Sand is fantastic and you can park on the street if you can find a spot.
Also, the main beach of Laguna is the "happening" spot with basketball, vollyball, beach showers and lots of local restaurants to eat in or take out.
The Laguna Art Museum is up the street for the cultured bunch who like art and then maybe a stroll on the beach and margaritas,etc at Las Brisas.
Don't forget the Laguna art shows in Laguna Canyon are on until September and the whole area is served by the trolly that provides free transportation around down and to the art festivals.
Lots to do and many beaches to choose from. Plan your hotel and then cruise a fantastic town and beaches!

Just a PS.
La Jolla and San Diego beaches are a good hour south of Orange County and a whole other story!

I like Corona del Mar, myself..not as wide and blah-ish as the other beaches..there are rocks, tidepools, etc...it's a nice beach for walking, especially in the early evening..you can watch the sun set from Inspiration Point, along with the teenage couples. :)

You can't beat Corona Del Mar for proximity of parking and rest rooms, especially if you have kids in tow. Plus it is a very pretty beach! Enjoy your trip and remember the SPF!

I like
Newport Beach
Huntington Beach
&
Santa Monica.

Another vote for Corona Del Mar. Very pretty and good facilities. Little Corona is next door and even more beautiful, but you must park at the top of the cliff and walk down.

My husband and I traveled to Orange County last Spring. We went to Huntington, Newport Beach, Laguna, and San Clemente. They all offered a different scene. Our favorite was Huntington for the surf and Laguna for the beauty and great places to eat. We really loved Javier's which is a mexican place on the main drag. Have a great trip!

Blacks' Beach is pretty nice.