L. A. area-need info.
 

A few years ago a friend took me to a beach that had little streets with shops running up from it and you could see boats going in and out of a nearby port of some kind. I can't remember what it was called. Does this sound familiar to anyone? If not, I am looking for a nice place to spend an afternoon evening with a beach (mostly for view and walking, we don't really want to swim)and shops, restaurants close by in the L.A. area. Actually we are staying in Anaheim this time. Thanks for any help you could give.

Sounds like either Marina Del Rey<BR>or Hermosa Beach.. but I could be wrong, what you describe could refer to locations from San Francisco to San Diego.

If it makes a difference they were big ships not just little ones and there was a jetty of some kind.

San Pedro? But, I think the shopping area is mostly abandonned now. I certainly wouldn't recommend it. I think you might like Laguna Beach for browsing in the galleries, walking on the beach and good little restaurants. Not too far from Anaheim.

Hermosa Beach is fun and funky - low key, low cost, nice beach-walk, good views and people-watching. (Redondo small boat harbor is next beach down, but I don't remember being able to see the boats launch from Hermosa.....)

Sorry.....just noticed message about large boats, not small. It wasn't Hermosa. Musta been San Pedro. Still recommend and like Hermosa.....

Parts of your description sound like Manhattan Beach but M.B. does not have a big boat harbor. Hmmm. Maybe it was Venice Beach and you could see the port at Marina del Rey? Anyway, Manhattan Beach would be nice for the afternoon and so would Santa Monica Beach. good luck.

Just wanted to say thanks to all who replied! Have a great day. :)

Maybe it was Long Beach. The Belmont Shores area is a nice area for shopping. <BR><BR>Another suggestion that would be closer from Anaheim is Balboa Island - escpecially if you're going to be there with kids. There's a little ferry that you can ride back and forth to the island for like $0.35 a person. <BR><BR>You can also take a boat tour that takes you around the expensive homes lining the bay. It's around $7 per person. The ticket booth is located near the arcade on the island. <BR>BJ's Pizza is a good choice for Chicago style pizza. <BR><BR>Laguna Beach is also a fun beach town to spend the day. But with more art galleries and cafes, it's not quite as popular with younger children.