I am traveling to Calif. for July 4 and the next few days. I'll have two 15 year old boys with me. I am looking for a fun, safe beach with lots of action. Surfing, volleyball, basketball, places to rent boogie boards, etc. A fun boardwalk would be nice but not necessary. Nice lodging within walking distance. Main goal is to be fun for sporty teens. Any good ideas?

Redondo Beach or Huntington Beach are good options.

Redondo has a Holiday Inn Crown Plaza walking distance from beach and boardwalk. A Holiday Inn Express is a mile from the beach and the Hampton Inn Hermosa Beach is two miles.

The Huntington Beach Hilton is across PCH from the beach with a walkway.

Blacks Beach.

my teens enjoy Huntington Beach, the Hilton or the Hyatt, both have easy beach access. all the burger shacks will be open on the beach so they can rent bikes, boogie boards, surf boards. downtown Huntington is within walking distance of Hilton, little further if you are at the Hyatt, its fun too with surf shops & restaurants. Newport is nice also.

Black's beach is in San Diego and is a nude beach. I guess they would see lots of action there.

I don't think Redondo Beach is in Orange County.

Black's Beach - I remember that place - however, it's not in Orange Co either.

I prefer Newport Beach over Huntington. We used to ride our bikes along the beach quite a bit when we lived there. Laguna is much more scenic - but doesn't have all the amenities that you are seeking.

Stu Dudley

Thanks for the input. Yes, George W. the boys would certainly enjoy Blacks Beach, I'm sure!! Do you know if there are any beaches that have basketball courts nearby? I heard that Leguna does. Any others? The boys are basketball nuts and would love someplace where they can join in a pick-up game or two.

My favorite Orange County beach is Laguna. It also has history, activities, shopping, food etc.

Aloha, beatofhawaii.com

Moonlight Beach in Encinitas is a great beach- have volley ball courts - http://www.a-zsandiegobeaches.com/moonlight.htmnot sure about basketball

Encinitas is in San Diego County.

I'd say either Laguna Beach or Newport Beach. All of the beaches in Orange County would be considered "safe" by most people, but these two beaches would have the most action, and the highest possibility of lodging within walking distance.

Newport Beach is also close to Newport Harbor, Balboa Island (another fun, teen-oriented area), and Corona Del Mar (another fine beach but with no surfing as such). They're both great places. I'm sure either would be suitable.

Encinitas is not in Orange Co - it's about 1+ hrs away from Newport.

There are basketball courts on about 14th St directly on the beach in Newport - at least there was in '75. Many volleyball courts all up & down the peninsula.

Laguna is a little unique because there are several coves that have fabulous beaches but a little hard to find for the normal tourist. We lived very close to Victoria Beach in the early 70s.

Like I stated earlier, Laguna is much more scenic than Newport, IMO, but Newport might be a little more exciting for teens because there seem to be more teens there. It has better bicycling options along the peninsula. We used to take our bikes to Mc Fadden pier on 20th st & bike along the boadwalk both north & south till the paved section ended - taking trips out to both the Newport pier (Mc Fadden) & Balboa Pier, take the ferry over to Balboa Island, ride around the island, back to the peninsula, visit the fun zone, ride into the various island - Collins, etc, & the Back Bay. It's hard to get lost because it's on a giant peninsula.

Stu Dudley

Not as many bike options in Laguna because you'll have to get on PCH for much of the way, which is not very scenic & loaded with traffic (cars).

Newport beach is VERY, I repeat VERY rowdy on July 4.

We rent a house in Newport Beach (and are again this summer but NOT over July 4) The owner of the property was kind enough to warn me about July 4.

The police block off the streets, and it is very Mardigras <sp>?? Beads, women flashing breasts, drunk people. Not a good scence imo.

On other days it is perfect for what you are looking for.

Laguna is nice, but does not have the same "strand" type feel of Newport Beach.

My kids (teens) also like Salt Creek, very full of teens. Right below the Ritz - or you can stay at the St. Regis and they can give you a golf cart ride over (It is actually across the street).

San Clemente in the pier area is great for teens as well but has no boardwalk/strand feel either.

Blacks Beach is indeed just north of La Jolla and actually very mellow.

Encintas is in North County San Diego.

I do not consider Redondo Beach Orange County but it might be - more L.A. to me.

I agree 100% with what Stu said about the bikes and Laguna.

We live in Orange County and rent a house at the beach and choose Newport because this is a vacation for the kids to bring their friends and hang out - and they definately prefer Newport.

Thanks so much! You folks are just so much help! I'm thinking it's going to be Newport. We arrive late on the 4th, so we'll mostly be there the next few days. (Hopefully not quite as rowdy as the 4th itself)! Now, the tough part. Can anyone recommend a great place to stay either on the beach or within walking distance?? Doesn't need to be super cheap, but don't want to break the bank either!

Salty - if memory serves me correctly there are very few hotels in the pier area of Newport Beach. I need to do some checking.

Anyway you could do a rental for a week??? Most are taken by now but some might be available.

I will post back.