Can anyone recommend a beach in south Orange County that has calm waters good for kids/beginner swimmers, and/or snorkeling? We checked out Emerald Bay and Crescent Bay in Laguna, but the waves were a bit choppy the last few weekends. Thanks.

There is a beach just south of Dana Point called (appropraitely)by the locals -- "Baby Beach". There ain't no snorkeling though.

Be careful at some of the calm beaches, because they tend to be polluted. Baby beach in Dana Point is one of the worst, as far as contamination. You can probably find the "scores" for the beaches online at OCRegister.com or try ocnow.com.

Depends on the weather, but most beaches are ocean facing and have waves. A hurricane in Cabo today will make things worse for Labor day. Plan to play in the sand and avoid any kind of ocean swimming for small fry!
"Baby beach" is the most polluted beach in OC as it is in a harbor.

It's been a bit since I did the beach thing, but one of my favorites was Corona Del Mar just south of Newport Beach. It sits just below the jetty, so it's a bit sheltered. I remember it was mostly families with younger children who went there. The only thing is: do NOT encourage play on the jetty!

With the storms in southern Baja, the beaches all along California will be rough for a few days. Just the way it goes sometimes.