Which Southern California Beach Town?
 

We want to make a long weekend at a beach town this summer. Been to San Diego and Central CA beach towns so we thought we'd like to try something else. Thinking Newport, Huntington, Laguna?? We'd like to be somewhere we can walk to the beach, restaurants (casual), rent bicycles, enjoy the sun and people watch. What's your favorite beach town and why?

Also welcome would be hotel/motel recommendations. They don't have to be 5 star, just comfortable and clean with a good location.

Im a Laguna person but...

Bicycles, Beach, Sun, people watching, restaurants, has Balboa Peninsula Newport Beach written all over it. On the Peninsula you can ride for hours on a concrete bike path and never get bored. Few hotels on the beach, but you might find a good VRBO rental

Hands down Laguna Beach for me. Let me count thy ways:

pedestrian friendly
great dining
outstanding topography
quaint, yet extremely vibrant
nice beaches
down to earth locals

Need I say more?

However, I agree with FrankS- if you want bicycles...

And I just can't get past those ugly power plants at Huntington Beach. Many love HB- not me. ;)

Also consider Redondo. Great path, beach, restaurants, and scenery. Crown Plaza is a good spot. Even a modest walk to Hermosa Beach destinations.

A lodging budget would be helpful for useful recommendations.

Newport Peninsula has a lot to offer, but also suffers from crippling traffic (on streets and bike path) on summer weekends. Laguna is by far the most attractive of the beaches you've mentioned. I'm also not a fan of Huntington Beach.

I don't agree with the recommendation of the Crown Plaza in Redondo Beach. Just not in the same league as Laguna or Newport. If you're considering L.A. County, there are better options.

If biking is the most important thing on your agenda I would do the Newport Peninsula, but if you want a quaint town, beaches, sun, restaurants and walking I would do Laguna Beach. It is a really neat town. I also am not as thrilled with Redondo Beach.