The best beach in Southern California?

[w8ting4pooh]

We would like to spend half a day at the beach on our trip out west. We probably won't be swimming, just enjoying the sunset and hopefully collecting some shells. Any suggestions?

 

[almostGoofy]

I'm a big fan of Huntington Beach. It's actually three beaches; Huntington State Beach, Huntington City Beach and Bolsa Chica; that make up 8 continuous miles of beach. It also has a nice little main street to stroll down. On Fridays, there's a farmers market and a craft fair in the afternoons. You might want to check the city website to make sure there isn't a special event happening like a surfing contest when you want to visit. It can be crowded those weekends. During the summer, once a month on Sat. or Sun., they have free live concerts at the pier plaza.

A number of people on this board in the past have mentioned Newport Beach a favorite. Can't tell you much about it so I'd advise checking out that city's website as well.

Further north in Los Angeles County is Venice Beach. That would be a place to stroll more than to lay out. It has a very interesting cast of characters hanging out there. You'll sometimes find street performers there. Venice Beach is also were Muscle beach is located. It's kind of an outdoor gym.

 

[Mickeyfaniam]

Would you say that this Huntungton beach is better than say.... Hermosa or Redondo or Manhattan beach areas? I too, only have part of a day as well and would like to visit the best beach.

 

[Hermosa11]

try and check out for fun some web cams!
here is a site for "HermosaWaveLive Beach Cam"
www.hermosawave.net/wave/livecam.asp
hope this works for you.
Hermosa/Manhattan Beach connect --they just run into one another. If you don't plan on doing the swiming thing, it is a cool place to stroll amongst the roller skaters, joggers, etc. And lots of beautiful vacation homes to look at right on your stroll, with a few eateries.
***Here is another site to check into: http://www.eatgoodstuff.com/strandcam/
When I was walking one early morning, I sat at the spot where the web cam is, sat for a bit....and then went home, looked up for the archives...and found my photo!!! ha ha ha You just need to know what day and time you were there.
Okay, enuf of my fav beaches...........

 

[dis4me]

We enjoyed Laguna Beach. It had a playground for the children and was very scenic.

 

[Mickeyfaniam]

thanks Hermosa...no need to ask you which is your fave
I have catually worked it into my scedule to see both the Huntington beach area and the Hermosa beach area. We're planning on stopping at Huntington beach for a half day on our way to DL and when we leave DL and head toward LA we planned a day for the Hermosa area. One question...
Am I being unrealistic in to think I can see Long beach in the morning (early start) Hermosa/Manhatttan in the afternoon and Santa Monica in the evening? not so much to swim BUT to just enjoy the scenery...the views...walking the shore and just soaking up the atmosphere.

thanks for the link

 

[w8ting4pooh]

Thanks for the advice! We're going to do the beach side trip on our first day. We're flying into LA and driving to San Diego. A nice half day on the beach after a 6 hour flight will feel very good.

 

[Mickeyfaniam]

we 're driving to San Diego too after a 6 hour long flight

 

[Tink33]

If you need ideas for San Diego beaches, just ask.

 

[Elk34]

Tink 33

After 4 days at DL we are driving to San Diego to spend 3 days there. I have reservations at the Pacific Terrace hotel on Pacific Beach at Diamond and Ocean streets. Do you know anything about that particular hotel and the Pacific Beach area. It looked the best to me based on books and internet research but you never really know until you get there.

It will be me and my wife and our 8 and 5 year old daughters. What is your opinion?

Thanks.

www.pacificterrace.com

 

[Hermosa11]

Okay, I LOVE doing research........
http://longbeach.com/ <-- <-- check this out for information on Long Beach.
It is appx. 19 miles from L.B. to Redondo Beach.
(1126 Queens Hwy, Long Beach, CA 90802-6331 to 435 S. Pacific Coast Highway (this is just two blocks from beach) ).
That is not BAD!!! Once you get to the later address, turn left towards beach.....and you will see public parking....you get out....view the beautiful beach AND you can see the Redondo Beach Pier!. Fun and beautiful place to roam and see the water. There is an arcade (calm down, debbie, you need to calm down and provide acurate information.......stop getting excited...you are NOT going here....just provide the necessary information ....(heeeeeeee)
and fun stuff if you are going with the kiddies.....
You are then only a few miles from Hermosa Beach (while on Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) you just turn left inward towards beach , find parking anywhere you can and you can easily get to the beach! Just roam as far as you can or as little as you want.
****okay if you: (Just if you want to go A BIT off road and see a beautiful view and a beautiful site, try:
1126 Queens Hwy, Long beach to: 5755 Palos Verdes Drive, Palos Verdes Estates, CA - this is 14.4 miles. This will get you to a beautiful chapel designed by: Frank Lloyd Wright's son, Lloyd Wright..... see site: http://www.wayfarerschapel.org/wayfarers/wayf_archi_page.html
This is simply a quick and yet beautiful site right up above the water. just beautiful.
okay, anyway: From Hermosa Beach to http://www.santamonicapier.org/ is about 18.7 miles. (350 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, CA)
Not too bad......eh?

And this all gets you closer to the LAX ........airport if that is your goal area.
any questions or clearing anything up, just ask.
trust me, I LOvED getting my binder of information out and retrieving the info for someone.
I am creating my new binder of info (I even found and have the call numbers for local Florida Radio Stations!!) for Orlando Fl , for our WDW trip (first) in June. I am trying my best to do my research.

 

[mobetsy]

Do keep in mind that those distances are on pretty slow (lots of traffic lights) streets. It's not far, but don't imagine going 65 mph, or even 40! How long it will take--and how close you can park to the beach--depends hugely on the time of day and year. Summer afternoons are obviously a lot worse than a February morning. This isn't to discourage anyone, but just a reminder to help you in planning

 

[Hermosa11]

Yes, yes, Mobesty is very correct with distance and travel time.
These roads are not freeway travel. Stop lights, etc.
But, still the mileage is not that bad if you had imagined 50 miles or whatever.........You might have to be like Chevy Chase in "Vacation" and when they get out at the Grand Canyon (after hastily leaving the Grand Canyon Hotel after borrowing some cash) and look....nod the head at the view and rush back in the car !!! haaaaaaaaa - great scene. Okay, all joking aside. Mobesty made a great point. Take all this into consideration of where you want to visit and how much time you have..........
Sounds like you have a whole day to tour the area.......(Mickeyfaniam).........I really believe you can do it.
Oh well, enjoy the planning.............that is the BEST part sometimes........whatever happens happens,,,,,,be flexible.
hee hee

 

[Mickeyfaniam]

Originally posted by Hermosa11
Mickeyfaniam).........I really believe you can do it.
Oh well, enjoy the planning.............that is the BEST part sometimes........whatever happens happens,,,,,,be flexible.
hee hee

Oh yes I will be flexible....you have NO IDEA how many times I have changed our plans I have a box full of cancelled ressies from changing my mind so much.... the one I wanted to change last was our flights b/c I need another week to do it all in fact give me another month b/c I'd like to see San Fransisco too
anyway kidding aside....
we will actually be checking out of Disney's Grand Californian and headed to LA to do some touring and Universal Studios and I just thought I'd take this day and do a beach....but I couldn't decide which one so I figured I'd do little of each on my round about way to LA if I run out of time......so be it....
so the plan is to leave DL...head to Long Beach for the morning....than head up to Hermosa and that area and then head up to Santa Monica before driving into LA to drop dead in bed
I realize about the traffic...I've read it everywhere...thats why I asked if I was being unrealistic.....but like I said...if I don't get it all in...I'll just have to go back to CA again
Thanks so much for the links...I will check them out

btw...my boys are 15 and 18....so the childish...most excited....out of control one in the family is me

THANKS for all the great info!!!

 

[Hermosa11]

click here to see a photo of my 15 yr old in '02 having the time of his life in the waves.
http://www.geocities.com/justdeb11/Redondo_Beach_Disneyland.html


(you may have to copy and paste to view.....

 

[Mickeyfaniam]

great pictures....thanks for sharing

 

[Maridw]

Here is a link that describes the different beaches in the San Diego area, in case you decide to make a stop there.

San Diego Beaches

I hope you have a great time.

 

[Mickeyfaniam]

thanks so much for the link. Beautiful pictures!!

 

[roymccoy]

We like Seal Beach. You can park at Main Street and walk down the pier and eat at Ruby's. To the right of the pier is for surfers, body boarders and sail boarders and to the left of the pier is for swimmers and waders.

I personally don't like Huntington all that much. Too many kids and teenagers trying to surf and too many kids "posing." (Standing around acting like they're all that) They really get into the "locals only" thing.

HB and Bolsa are really pretty and clean beaches, though.

Roy

 

[almostGoofy]

Originally posted by roymccoy

I personally don't like Huntington all that much. Too many kids and teenagers trying to surf and too many kids "posing." (Standing around acting like they're all that) They really get into the "locals only" thing.

HB and Bolsa are really pretty and clean beaches, though.

Roy

Gee, I mostly see families when I go. I also tend to go to the state beach and avoid the city beach. I think the city beach, particularly near the pier, does attract alot of kids though.