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Orange County Beaches

Orange County’s 42 miles of gorgeous coastline attracts millions of visitors and locals. There are five main beach areas:

Huntington Beach: Huntington Beach is a long, wide expanse of sand and waves. Huntington Beach, known internationally by its nickname, Surf City, hosts the annual US Open of Surfing and is thus a surfer’s paradise. Dogs are only allowed at Dog Beach, where dogs can play leash-free in the sand and water. RV camping and bonfire rings are available at Bolsa Chica State Beach, while Huntington City and State Beaches offer bike rental and an 8.5-mile-long paved bike path, concessions, and lots of sand. The Huntington Beach Pier is the longest municipal pier in California. A popular spot to watch surfers, the pier also offers free fishing for those with a California fishing license and a Ruby’s diner. Pier Plaza, across the street from the pier, hosts a farmer’s market every Friday, selling fresh California-grown produce, hand-made crafts, and artwork.

Newport Beach: Newport Beach has nine miles of coastline and four main beaches.

The Balboa Peninsula is ideal for building sandcastles, bonfires, riding bikes or walking on the boardwalk, and swimming. The peninsula is a wide, long stretch of sand; at the far end, The Wedge is a prime bodysurfing spot with huge waves. The peninsula is also a good area for dining – grab some authentic Mexican food at Great Mex near the Balboa Pier, or visit the Newport Pier at the opposite end of the peninsula for more food and shopping. Take the kids to play some arcade games and go on the Ferris wheel at the Balboa Fun Zone near the Balboa Pier, and then take a ferry ride across the harbor to Balboa Island.

Popularized in the media by the TV show Arrested Development, Balboa Island has two frozen banana stands that both sell frozen bananas dipped in chocolate, as well as the famous Balboa Bar, a vanilla ice cream bar dipped in fresh chocolate and then rolled in your choice of candies or nuts. Quaint Balboa Island is ideal for an afternoon beach stroll or lunch at Wilma’s Patio.

Corona del Mar State Beach is a very popular beach for families and bonfires. The crescent-shaped beach is protected by cliffs and a jetty, so there are no waves, making it a great swimming spot.

Crystal Cove State Park is a 3.5-mile stretch of coastal cliffs and relatively unspoiled beaches. It’s a great area for skimboarding, swimming, and tidepooling – just make sure to protect the anemones or urchins in the tidepools by not touching them! Crystal Cove’s campsites and rustic, undeveloped canyons with hiking trails make it popular with outdoors enthusiasts. The Beachcomber Café and the Shake Shack offer good food and milkshakes with ocean views. In the 1930s, Californians built a seaside colony of beachfront cottages at Crystal Cove; today, visitors can stay in these restored cottages with majestic ocean views.

Laguna Beach: Laguna Beach has over 20 beaches tucked away in coves and nestled between seaside cliffs. The Main Beach area on Broadway is Laguna’s largest beach, with sand volleyball courts, a boardwalk, and excellent ocean views, especially at sunset. Off of Cliff Drive, Heisler Park is a great picnic and tidepool area with public art displays, while Divers & Shaws Cove is a popular spot for scuba divers and snorkelers. Dogs are allowed to run off-leash in Dog Park, on Laguna Canyon Road. Thousand Steps beach doesn’t actually have a thousand steps, but its steps are steep and tiring to climb up. The beach itself is gorgeous and relaxing, a perfect hideaway between 9th and 10th streets with clear water, tidepools, scuba diving, and a cave that reveals itself at low tide. Treasure Island, adjacent to the Montage Resort on Wesley Street, is another picturesque hideaway with pristine water, tidepools, picnic tables, and public art displays.

Laguna Beach as a city is known for its liberal artist and gay community. Several art galleries and museums throughout the city display local and other artwork, and artists often paint right on the beach. Laguna Beach is a refreshing escape from routine, and it’s a great place to stroll through its streets and discover something new – a new café, art gallery, or Mexican restaurant. During the summer, the city hosts several art festivals, including the Sawdust Festival, which displays local artists’ photography, paintings, and crafts, and the Festival of the Arts, which also displays local artwork and is home to the Pageant of the Masters, a stunning 77-year tradition that uses people to depict paintings and sculpture. The Laguna Beach Playhouse puts on great plays for less than $20.

Dana Point: Dana Point has three beaches: Doheny State Beach, some of the best surfing and swimming in California, as well as 121 campsites; Capistrano Beach, a long, scenic stretch of sand; and Salt Creek Beach, where beachgoers surf, swim, bodyboard, and picnic on a large grassy hill overlooking the beach.

San Clemente: San Clemente offers state beaches and surfing beaches. San Clemente State Beach is a popular gathering spot for swimmers, bodyboarders, snorkelers, and fishermen. Sea lions lounge on offshore rocks, and visitors can follow a nature trail and butterfly trail. T Street is a good family beach as well as a good surfing area, though surfing is only allowed in the morning and evening. Trestles is one of Orange County’s best and most beloved surfing beaches. San Onofre State Park is a good spot for beginning surfers and swimmers. Calafia, at the southern tip of Orange County, is a secluded beach with surfing and picnicking. The San Clemente Pier is a good venue to watch the sunset and grab a bite to eat. Sand volleyball courts and bonfire rings are available at the beach adjacent to the pier.