We are going to San Diego and L.A. in a couple of weeks. What are the best family beaches there for little kids? I have a 4 and 6-year-old. Thanks!

Coronado in SDiego is a good bet. Clean beach, no alcohol allowed on the beach, and mellow surf. I wouldn't have been caught there dead as a kid and young adult growing up here, but now as a dad, it's where i take my family.

Well, I'm prejudiced 'cause it's where I live, but I think Manhattan Beach in L.A. County is a great family beach. Our water is graded A to A+ for cleanliness (measured by the County and Heal the Bay Foundation). The beach is broad and not crowded. No alcohol. Lots of lifeguards.

At the end of our pier is a small aquarium that your kids would really enjoy. At the foot of the pier is our downtown area with shops, restaurants (casual and formal) and a great ice cream parlor.

About the only negative is parking on weekends. There are lots at the pier and in several locations downtown. There are also valet services in three locations downtown.

On a map, look for Manhattan Beach Boulevard and follow it all the way to the pier.

I second the motion on Coronado . . . we were there a couple of years ago and it was THE favorite of my 3 teens. (They even liked it better than the MTV beach up the road, thank goodness!)

Corona Del Mar in Newport Beach. Kid friendly, beautiful and on the way to San Diego.

Mission Bay, next to Seaworld is a great place to spend the day with your kids.
I second Corona Del Mar.

Thank you, everyone, for your suggestions. Coronado in San Diego seems to be popular. I will do some research on all the beaches mentioned.

I 2nd the vote for Hermosa Beach. It is beautiful, clean, and has a great boardwalk for walking.We stayed here for a few nts. in April and also went to Coronado Beach (stayed at hotel Del).If you think this beach is nice, you will love Hermosa. Beach in Coronado was dirtier, and water was not swimmable due to pollution.I hear there is no swimming here a lot due to pollution so check before you go.

All the suggestions you've gotten so far are excellent. I'm glad that Manhattan and Hermosa Beaches have been mentioned; those are wonderful beach communities. The Strand gets pretty busy on weekends, so just be aware (lots of bicyclists and joggers and roller-bladers).

Newport Beach is also very nice. Seal Beach could be an alternative-- smaller seaside town with a few blocks on Main Street that are both hokey and charming (with a killer restaurant called Walt's Wharf). The beach is fine.

Huntington Beach is better for older kids. The whole "Surf City" vibe permeates everything, plus it gets VERY crowded and busy on the weekends. Also, it ain't called Surf City for nothin'; the sea can get pretty rough.

Where I live-- Long Beach--, the beaches aren't that good, unfortunately. The sands in Belmont Shore (that's where I'd go) are fine for sunbathing, watching paraskaters, kite flying, etc., but the water should be avoided (pollution from the Ports of Los Angeles and LB).

Does it matter where along the coast the beach is?? Orange Co. has 40 miles of public beaches and its another 50 miles at least of beaches down to Coronado / San Diego area. Where is your base going to be? Just south of Dana Point there is a beach that is called "Baby Beach" by the locals for a reason --- very calm seas and tiny waves so little kids have no risk. Many other beaches can have 3-4 foot waves and there are rip tides and currents to watch for. An 18 yr old football player from USC jsut drowned the other day and I think it was near Huntington Beach -- which is a must see area (Surf City). Wal out on the pier, see the surfers, watch beach volleyball, etc

Corona Del Mar is a great family beach. Aside from the beautiful surroundings, there are nice public restrooms,a snack bar and a parking lot within an easy walk. Besides there are lots of other Moms who look like I do in a bathing suit!

In the San Diego area, as well as Coronado, La Jolla Shores, Torrey Pines State Beach and Del Mar Beach are all popular with families with kids of all ages.

Not to minimize the dangers of riptides and undercurrents, but the two drownings in So.Cal occurred AT NIGHT. No lifeguards on duty, perhaps alcohol was involved? Let's all use common sense while enjoying our unseasonably warm (75 degree) waters.

Mommar, let's just stay with the known facts. The recent drownings happened at night when no lifeguards were on duty - period.

We just returned from our 3 week road trip, which included Laguna and Newport Beaches, and Balboa. Altho they're an hour north of San Diego, they're good options - both beach areas are beautiful, very upscale, with lots of interesting shoppes and restaurants. We loved Laguna Bch (stayed there) enjoyed the surfers 'show', and we had a blast riding the waves. I also got in a great run there one morning!

Where Laguna is more artsy, Newport Beach is home to incredible yachts and stories of their owners; we greatly enjoyed a harbor cruise, allowing us to gaze at homes and water-craft of the 'rich and famous'. Our guide made it VERY interesting and entertaining! Balboa's fun zone was also cute and would especially appeal to the age of your kids.

Barbara, you are right. That's why I should have referred to Lifeguard Supervisor Broussard who told the news, "most of our drownings involve alcohol."

On a happier note, Santa Monica beaches are nice for little kids with the pier having many lovely attractions for the little ones, playgrounds in several locations and lots of bathroom facilities as well.

Anne, just so you know, Laguna, Newport Beach/Corona del Mar, Balboa and Huntington Beach are all in Orange County, not L.A., per your original question.

If you're just planning a day at the beach in both places, you could certainly choose an Orange County beach to break up the drive between San Diego and L.A.

Mommar, did the lifeguard supervisor say that alcohol was involved in the specific drowning mentioned here? Yes, in S. California there are drownings where alcohol is a factor, but there are also drownings where inexperience in dealing with rip currents is the sole cause. Either way it's a great tragedy for some family somewhere and accuracy in relating these events is important.