Orange County is home to some of the most diverse beaches in the world. The area is divided into ten local beaches, at which we’ll take an in-depth look.
For the families interested in Balboa Beach, be wary of West Jetty Park with its free parking and hiking/walking paths. Open from 6 am to 10 pm, the beach also features surfing but has no facilities. Instead check out Newport Beach. The park includes the same attractions as Jetty, but also has lifeguards on duty, restrooms, showers, grills, and picnic tables.
Surfside is a gorgeous beach, but is gated and only accessible for residents or their visitors. It is almost impossible to get onto otherwise.
Sunset Beach is good for people who want the feel of Surfside, but can’t go there. The beach has paths and lifeguards on duty, but is also close enough to nearby cities that visitors can drive to restaurants and stores.
Seal Beach is a nice choice for families, but only has pay parking. It also has surfing, restaurants, a lifeguard on duty, and restrooms. Its also another beach located near a city, if the beach gets to be a little too much.
San Clemente is one of the best choices for everyone, but because it is a State Beach they charge $6 per vehicle. This is also one of the only beaches that have camping, with a reasonable price of $14-20 per site, and includes RV hookups. The park has all the amenities of others and more for their campers.
Newport Beach has 2 beaches located in the area. Municipal Beach has pay parking, but is better equipped with lifeguards, restrooms, restaurants, and picnic tables. Santa Ana River County Beach is the lesser of the 2 beaches, and for surfers mainly. They do have a lifeguard, but not a lot more.
Huntington is divided into 3 areas. Strands Beach requires a $5 entrance fee, but includes restrooms, restaurants, showers, fire pits, and surfing. City Beach is more family friendly, with a $6 admission price, and camping available on site. Camping is first come first serve but is only $15. Other amenities include surfing, restrooms, restaurants, and showers. Bolsa Chica State Park charges $5, but has $14 campsites, hiking trails, surfing, and amenities such as restrooms and showers.
Laguna Beach is home to 12 beaches. Aliso Creek County Beach has pay parking, lifeguards, and restrooms. Main Beach has pay parking, paths, picnic tables, and restrooms. Crescent Bay Point Park includes a few amenities and free parking, but is more for surfers than families. Picnic Beach and West Street Beach are similar to Crescent Bay, but with pay parking. Divers Cove, Shaws Cove, Victoria Beach, Brooks Beach, Crystal Cove, Rockpile Beach, and 1000 Steps are strictly for the surf enthusiast, as it does not include any amenities. Most of the beaches in the Laguna Beach section cater to surfers.
Dana Point has 4 beaches in its area. Salt Creek is the most diverse, with handicap bathrooms, and dozens of things to do for the whole family including a golf course. Capistrano Beach has activities for the family, but is more for surfing fans. Poche Beach is a surfer beach, with not many amenities. Doheny State Beach has camping, a $5 entrance fee, and more activities/amenities than any other beach on Dana Point.
The last area in Orange County is Corona Del Mar, with 5 separate beaches. Bayside Drive County Beach has free parking, but little else. Little Corona Del Mar Beach is for surfers only. Rocky Beach and China Cove Beach have no activities or amenities beyond the beach, but do have free parking. Corona Del Mar is also home to a State Beach; the beach has lots of activities and amenities including surfing, but does not have camping, and charges $6.
There are a lot of different beaches in Orange County, and to chose the right one you just need to decide if you want a surfing paradise, or a family haven.
