MomDDTravel had suggested Huntington Beach on an earlier post (Hyatt and/or Hilton). These two resorts are right across the street from the beach. The Hilton happens to be tad closer to the pier, and downtown/Main St., where there's plenty of places to hang out, shop and eat. Both resorts have tennis courts too. Your son might also find interest in taking a surf lesson (Huntington Beach is aka Surf City). Huntington Bch also has fire rings if you are looking for a late night smore on the beach.

Although I can't recommend any particular places to stay I did want to offer up some unique areas of Southern Califonia for you.


BALBOA ISLAND (Newport Beach, CA). This area is quaint, and fun, with loads to offer not only for your son but you as well. You can drive to Balboa but it is much more fun to take the ferry (car, bike, and pedestrian friendly). Again plenty of places to shop, eat, and there's even the Balboa Fun Zone (arcade/amusement park). You can rent bikes, boats, etc. If you were to stay right on the island there would really be no need for a vehicle unless you wanted to visit other spots in OC county. Lastly you have the option of taking the boat over to Catalina Island from this area (for a day or night trip).

Which brings me to my other unique location in So Cal (as mentioned above) CATALINA ISLAND.



http://www.visitnewportbeach.com/index
www.vrbo.com (why not rent a cottage on Balboa Island)

http://www.catalina.com/main.html

a correction for the link above:

http://www.visitnewportbeach.com/index.cfm

Overyonder,
Balboa Peninsula and Balboa Island are two differnt locations. I too like the Island, but many of the places you mentioned are on the Peninsula. If you are talking Peninsula, may I add the Wedge, Spaghetti factory and Blackies to list?

Thank you my favorite Fodorites!

Actually, I made some interesting but even more baffling progress since I last posted.
Lvk had mentioned two new luxury villa resorts: Pelican Hill and Terrenea. Pelican Hill seemed a little pricey. Terrenea is in Palos Verdes on the peninsula and is slated to open mid-June. It looks beautiful but I'm not sure what a 13 year old would do. Here's the funny part, I inadvertently called the Terrenea's marketing department (actually an outside PR firm). Great guy, San Diego native, very helpful and friendly. He gave me a rundown on Aviara (too staid), Ritz Laguna Niguel (ditto), La Costa (no way), Grand Del Mar, (not kid-friendly). He did like the Hotel Del for us. I looked into booking in the new Cottage/Villa area. The least expensive option was a one-bedroom suite (1100) a night. Granted, it's 4th night free but still. I'm too hesitant to try the main building. I'm so confused now - Overyonder are there accomodations in Newport Beach near Balboa? Here's the thing, if you were flying across the country to experience California as a family of three with a fun,lively mom (me), a cantakerous huband, an XBox and sports playing boy, where would you stay? I haven't even thought about bringing a friend???????Help!

LOL - sounds like a trip I might go on

I do not know your budget but if you can afford that hefty 1100 a night that might be your ticket.

About Balboa Island - yes it is near Newport Beach but Newport is tricky. We just stayed at the Newport Hyatt for a getaway weekend (dh and I) and there is NO way I would recommend it for your family but a person could end up staying there just because it says "newport beach" - we have rented beach houses in newport on three different occasions. Twice in the summer and once in the winter for a long weekend.

I love to wander around Balboa Island but can't think of any beachy type hotel I would recommend in Newport Beach. I really think you might like the Hyatt Regency or Hilton Waterfront in Huntington Beach and I think your son would enjoy it too. You aren't that far from Newport Beach or even the coast down to San Diego and you could go down to other areas for a day trip. We have stayed at the Hyatt Regency in Huntington Beach and liked it very much and have attended many events at the Hilton but have not stayed there. Both hotels seem very nice. There were lots of families at the Hyatt when we were there. There is a bridge across Pacific Coast Hwy to the beach from the Hyatt. I am trying to remember if there is one at the Hilton but can't remember.

To FrankS

Right, there are different sections but in my mind I felt that someone that's not familiar with the area/or from out of state will not be aware of where one area ends, and another begins (and it is for that reason only that I referred to it as Balboa Island).
In fact even on the official Balboa Island website it only speaks in terms of Balboa Island. But again thanks, and also for bringing up the Spagetti Factory (now I am hungry)!


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Overyonder,
Balboa Peninsula and Balboa Island are two differnt locations. I too like the Island, but many of the places you mentioned are on the Peninsula. If you are talking Peninsula, may I add the Wedge, Spaghetti factory and Blackies to list?

to luckylass:

Sorry I am not able to suggest any accomodations in Newport Beach (near Balboa). I grew up on the So. Cal coast and only recently moved away so I/we never had the need to stay in a hotel.
When I made the suggestions (in regard to Balboa and also Huntington, and Catalina) they were made with your son in mind (I happen to have my own in that age group). In fact you just now state the thought of bringing a friend along. Am I to assume the friend will be for your husband since you mention that he is the cantankerous one? (just kidding)

Anyway I too now live clear across the country and if I were to bring us all back (and if we needed a place to stay) anywhere along the So Cal coast I'd rent us a house/cottage (through www.vrbo.com) on Balboa (course that's just me). Now that's not to stay that Laguna isn't great, or Huntington, or San Diego, or Torrey Pines, or Dana Point, or even Seal Beach (and I won't even begin to start with the L.A. beaches) as your head is probably spinning enough already.

Lastly where ever you decide upon I wish all of you the best!


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Overyonder are there accomodations in Newport Beach near Balboa? Here's the thing, if you were flying across the country to experience California as a family of three with a fun,lively mom (me), a cantakerous huband, an XBox and sports playing boy, where would you stay? I haven't even thought about bringing a friend???????Help!

Im not surprised that the Balboa Island website speaks in terms of Balboa Island, but I would be surprised if Balboa Peninsula would call themself as part of the 'Island.'

Hi guys-

Well, I vaguely remember going to Balboa Island with Glamour's Pasadena based rep at the time. It was fun back in 1985. However, I really think we need a full-service resort. I really like the vibe of the Terrenea resort in Palos Verdes. although I don't think it has a classic beach. I heard it has more of a ranch atmosphere, which is infinitely appealing to me. We don't have a kid who's interested in eco-tourism. (big emphasis on that there).
So, it seems we need to focus on Laguna Niguel or the Hotel Del. What's the deal on the Surf and Sand? If we go closer to LA are there more spots? Is Shutters on the Beach where are the business travelers go when they want to chill? We could do the LA/entertainment industry thing, I guess. Someone who knows someone knows the guy who put Hannah Montana together at Disney! I do remember lots of traffic on PCH and 405 (are they the same thing????) Help me as I sit in rainy, chilly Connecticut!

PCH is Pacific Coast Highway, whereas the 405 is a freeway. Surf and Sand is nice, but you will be driving most places.

I like the surf and sand... but it is not really a kid friendly type place... but it is right on the beach and right in Laguna...

There are not many full-service resort properties located right on the sand in Southern California. (probably because of Cal. Coastal Commission rules, which keep us from looking like Southern Florida with high-rises and huge hotels right on the beach.) Most of the larger resorts (with tennis courts, kids' programs, etc.) are either on a bluff overlooking the ocean, across a street from a beach, or a bit more inland.

I would not recommend Santa Monica for a relaxing beach vacation. It is much more urban than the other locations you are looking at, and yes, the traffic is still horrible there, whether on the 405, 10 or PCH. I'm not sure about the child-friendliness of those hotels (Huntley, Shutters, Loew's, Le Merigot), and I don't think any of them have tennis courts.

The Terranea beach would not be a classic beach, just a private (and probably kind of rocky) beach, down the bluff from the resort. The classic sandy beaches are about a 10-15 minute drive away in Redondo or Hermosa, as are the restaurants and shopping. There is nothing within walking distance. However, since we live so close, I might be able to send my 14 yo son down to play Halo and skateboard with your son. (Hmmmm, maybe I just invented a new summer job for DS, "Skateboard & X-box Concierge")

I'm still thinking that Santa Barbara might work for you. Either the Four Seasons, which is high end and close to the beach; or the Fess Parker Doubletree, which is not as posh, but closer to the action (wharf, restaurants and shopping) and more child-friendly.

San Diego is the most child-friendly location of all the places under consideration. All the others are great for adults, but San Diego has a lot for kids AND adults. This is where the Zoo is, the Wild Animal Park, the first California Mission, Old Town San Diego. An hour's drive away into the mountains is the old gold-mining town of Julian. We have the Padres (baseball) and the Chargers (football). We have golf AND tennis. And we have beaches, miles and miles of beaches.

Sort of wondering why you skipped over the Huntington Beach recommendations..because they are not ON the beach?

I think the Huntington Beach Hyatt or Hilton would be lots of fun for your family. My 3 boys love going there, renting bikes, going to the beach, fun places to eat,lots to do. Knott's berry farm is fun also or Knott's water park. There is always Disneyland and California Adventure.

I think most of these properties are not too anything....they are all gorgeous places and most would have a lovely stay at any of them. The settings vary but the places are very nice. I find some resorts similar in the 5 starrishness: Grand del mar, St. regis and Aviara. The Auberge del mar is actually IN Del Mar, right in the heart of the village and I think it is a great location, one block to the gorgeous beach and surrounded by shops and restaurants in a fabulous neighborhood. The Hotel Del is a unique property as well but I slightly prefer Del Mar, maybe because I live here.

I also think San Diego has the most activitis to offer. In addition to what others have mentioned, I love kayaking in the La Jolla shores area and hiking the Torrey Pines state reserve.

may i put in my 2 cents for santa monica? for a teenager (and I have 2) a beach hotel is nice as long as there is SOMETHING happening near there. If not san diego, I think the rest of the options might be boring for a teen with no friend. santa monica has it all (yes, I live there). there are quiet places on the beach, places to hike, and much to do when the restless teen urge hits. Unless he is a shy, keep to himself kind of kid (and I have one of those also), I would recommend somewhere where there are choices along with a beach.