Anaheim is located close to some of the best beaches in California. Many people combine a visit to Disneyland with a trip to a local beach to enjoy the amazing Southern California weather. Deciding on where to put your toes in the sand beforehand can make for the most relaxing day possible so the whole family can unwind and soak up the sun. Below are the best beach near Anaheim.
Newport Beach
Website | (949) 644-3309
Newport Beach, CA 92663
Located off of the Pacific Coast Highway, Newport beach is a popular travel destination for both locals and tourists. Known to be a more upscale destination, this beach offers a wealth of options for your day out including outdoor activities, shopping and over 400 restaurants.
Here you can indulge in activities such as hiking, surfing, and paddle boarding. If you’re looking for a more chill time at the beach there is Balboa Island, featuring carnival style games, a ferris wheel, and a cheap ferry ride which covers multiple beach experiences all in one. Newport Beach is also known for its fantastic seafood, with The Crab Cooker and Woody’s Wharf being two of the most popular.
Overall, Newport Beach has options for families and friends alike, and these unique selections are what makes it a top destination for anyone looking for a fun day out in the sun.
Huntington Beach
Website | (714) 969-3492
301 Main St Ste 212 Huntington Beach, CA 92648
No beach list is complete without featuring Huntington Beach as an absolute must-visit spot in Southern California. According to the locals this beach is extremely user-friendly, clean, and has plenty of room for all your outdoor activities. This beach has parking garages within 2 blocks, and hosts 3 main beaches: City Beach, State Beach, and Bolsa Chica.
The beach has sand volleyball courts if you want to play a game or just hang out and watch the local talent have some fun. Zack’s is a shop on the beach that you can rent a variety of equipment such as surfboards and wetsuits, bikes, or even boogie boards, so if you’re looking to get active be sure to stop by. With great restaurants and beach shops located all along the beach, there is plenty to see if you just want to walk around and relax.
Huntington Beach is a popular surfing destination, even hosting the International Surfing Museum. It has a great relaxed vibe, but has everything you might need if you are wanting to get active and have some fun.
San Clemente Beach
Website | (949) 492-3156
225 Avenida Califia San Clemente, CA 92672
Located a little farther south of Anaheim, San Clemente Beach is a quaint beach with a more small town vibe than some of the others on this list. There are two beaches here: San Clemente Beach & Pier and Calafia. Hosting over 20 acres of beachfront and a beautiful long pier you can fish from.
San Clemente is well known for having waves for both beginner and experienced surfers and has shops close to the beach where you can rent umbrellas, surfboards and wetsuits, and bikes.
These beaches have been around since 1937 and are a great travel destination for water sports, and anyone looking to escape the city to a calm beach with mile long beach stretches.
Laguna Beach
Website | (949) 497-9229
Coast Hwy And Bdwy Laguna Beach, CA 92652
Head south on the Pacific Coasts Highway and you’ll find the beautiful Laguna Beaches. Hosting 7 miles of coastline with multiple beaches and 30+ coves, this is a place well known for its clean beaches and clear waters. Each of the beaches here offers visitors something unique and sure to make for a fun day out.
Stop by Aliso for a quiet county beach where you can set up and enjoy a nice bonfire. If you are in search of activities Main beach is the place for you, home to volleyball courts and is close by to some great restaurants and parking. South Laguna has the Thousand Steps Beach which, contrary to the name, has 230 steps down to the beach with cliffs on either side.
Another specialty of Laguna Beach are the tidepools where you can catch great views of sea life and talk with tide pool educators. Overall, these beaches are an amazing place to get away and will keep you coming back with so many different sights to see.
