Who is familiar with Southern California? Need help choosing beach town

[Rella Bella]

Not sure how I managed a double post here...
but here's another site to check out

http://www.pacificbeach.org/

 

[nuke]

Huntington or Laguna are my votes.

They Hyatt in huntington is really nice.

 

[meandtheguys2]

michelle, what seafood place is it that you like in Dana Point? My mom lives in Capistrano Beach and I'm looking for places to go when we are visiting. She's only lived there for a few years so I am not very familiar with the area yet. (I live FAR away and don't get to visit her there very often, we usually see her at my brother's place in Tucson)

Let me think about it...It is right on the Harbor, so you can sit and watch the sun set over the boats...

think...think...think...

found it!

Harpoon Henry's Seafood Restaurant
34555 Street Of The Golden Lantern , Dana Point 92624
Dumb name, great food! I had Calamari that was as yummy as any abalone I'd had, and my husband had barely seared tuna that melted in your mouth.

 

[smkiss02]

Huntington Beach!! We stayed there for 2 nights (if you just want a place to crash at night, the Howard Johnson Inn was perfect and right down the street from the beach) and the beach is gorgeous. There was tons of surfers and boogie boarders, which is a blast in those waves. There was a Hyatt right across the street that looked amazing as well. There are many restaurants.

We didn't stay in Santa Monica, but did stop there and it was really nice as well. We didn't stay too long so I don't know alot about it. There's "Muscle Beach" which is neat with all the exercise equiptment. I guess if you want to head into LA that would be your best bet, but Huntington Beach is close as well.

 

[pittypat]

Last June we stayed in Huntington Beach with our two sons, 16 & 19. We really loved HB. The beach is very clean and the waves were great. There are many restaurants (both chains and mom & pop type), shops and hotels along the boardwalk. I believe their city web-site is surfcityusa.com. We discovered a pro-am surfing competition and a really cool antique car show while we were there by looking on that web-site.

 

[JunieJay]

Last June we stayed in Huntington Beach with our two sons, 16 & 19. We really loved HB. The beach is very clean and the waves were great. There are many restaurants (both chains and mom & pop type), shops and hotels along the boardwalk. I believe their city web-site is surfcityusa.com. We discovered a pro-am surfing competition and a really cool antique car show while we were there by looking on that web-site.

What hotel did you stay in?

 

[Hound 109]

We didn't stay in Santa Monica, but did stop there and it was really nice as well. We didn't stay too long so I don't know alot about it. There's "Muscle Beach" which is neat with all the exercise equiptment. I guess if you want to head into LA that would be your best bet, but Huntington Beach is close as well.

Venice Beach is the "muscle beach" that you're referring to. I wouldn't stay there, but it is something to see for a morning or day. It's next door to Santa Monica.

OP, Santa Monica has a great shopping district, restaurant & bar district & (as you mentioned) the pier. Also, (assuming you have a car) the 10 miles along the PCH from the SM pier out to Malibu gives you everything that you appear to be looking for. Amazing beaches, surfing, neat shops & restaurants etc. Not as "town like" as Huntington & SM....but Lots to see.)

Once you get to Malibu, the PCH runs another 15-20 miles with the same offerings, but it's even more beautiful with the Santa Monica Mts. hugging the coast.


But..... what's this cr*p about not visiting DLR on this trip.




FWIW, All the areas are great that you are considering....but it you select Huntington, DLR is 15 miles away.


Have fun.

 

[I'mNoPrince]

Huntington Beach is very nice . We play Paintball right on the Beach ( well I use to ,they still do) next to the Pier. We have also done San Monica for a day trip and that was nice as well.

I think with either one you would be fine . Unless you go during the Paintball tourny then it gets a bit crazy .

 

[pittypat]

JunieJay, we stayed at the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach. It was a very nice hotel, and our regular old room was huge! We had stayed at GC at Disney the week before and our Huntington Beach hotel was actually much cheaper and much nicer. They have a great pool area, too.

 

[pittypat]

sorry- i thought the first one didn't send, but i guess it did

 

[pittypat]

JunieJay, we stayed at the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach. It was a very nice hotel, and our regular old room was huge! We had stayed at GC at Disney the week before and our Huntington Beach hotel was actually much cheaper and much nicer. They have a great pool area, too.

 

[luvflorida]

Thanks luvflorida, that looks gorgeous!! Did you stay overnight in Huntington Beach, and if so, where did you stay? Also, is there restaurants and shops within walking distance of the beach?

We stayed in Anaheim (very nice Residence Inn within walking distance to Disneyland, which we didn't even visit!) because we were also visiting LA and doing a few college tours in the area. It took us about half an hour to drive to Huntington Beach. We were there in April and it wasn't crowded at all, so I can't speak for how it is in the summer. The weather in April was gorgeous for walking the beach, biking, enjoying the sunshine, and hitting the shops and restaurants. The ocean was freezing, but we had to at least stick our toes in just so we could say we went in the Pacific Ocean.

Here are a few more photos:

This gives you an idea of how wide the cement walkway is:

Nice place to rent bikes, surfboards, beach gear, etc.:

Restaurant directly off beach:

Yes! Duke's! We didn't eat at this one, but we did at the Duke's in Hawaii, and the food was fabulous!

Looking up from the water. I thought the high dunes down by the water was a bit odd, because I've never seen that on the east coast. Pretty, though!:

Beach shot:

Up a bit from the beach:

 

[JunieJay]

But..... what's this cr*p about not visiting DLR on this trip.

I know! DH is not a Disney person though, and only tolerates the Disney thing in Florida, and reluctantly at that. No way could I get him to fly all the way out to California and then ask him to do something we do every year. The only themepark we'll be visiting on this trip is Sea World in San Diego.

JunieJay, we stayed at the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach. It was a very nice hotel, and our regular old room was huge! We had stayed at GC at Disney the week before and our Huntington Beach hotel was actually much cheaper and much nicer. They have a great pool area, too.

Thanks, this is where we are looking at right now. Did you stay in a club level room, or a regular room? The club level doesn't look too much more $$ than the regular room that I'm almost ready to book it - totally NOT something I would normally do, but at only a $50 or so difference per night I just may.

 

[JunieJay]

Thanks for posting those pics luvflorida!!

We're going in March so I guess we won't be swimming either...thats o.k. with me though. I really just want to walk along the beach.

 

[Towncrier]

Just chiming in with my 2 cents worth. I lived in Hermosa Beach for a couple of years back in the 80's and, as I recall, you will most likely need a wetsuit if you want to venture into the ocean at that time of year. The water temperature off the western coast of the United States is best described as "brisk". According to the Huntington Beach website, the ocean temperatures average 55 to 65 °F (10 to 15 °C) which is a bit chilly even for residents of the northern states. Then again, if you are a member of the polar bear club...

Here is a link to a useful site that contains ocean temperatures:
http://www.nodc.noaa.gov/dsdt/cwtg/spac.html

 

[luvflorida]

The ocean was freezing, but we had to at least stick our toes in just so we could say we went in the Pacific Ocean.

This is from my previous reply above. Maybe you didn't see it because the boards are acting nutty right at the moment! I keep seeing multiple posts, several of them mine.

Sorry, I see that you read it! Yes, it's a nice beach for walking, and the walkway right next to the sand is ideal for biking, rollerblading, skating, or just strolling. And, like I said, there weren't any crowds when we were there.

 

[JunieJay]

This is from my previous reply above. Maybe you didn't see it because the boards are acting nutty right at the moment! I keep seeing mulitiple posts, several of them mine.

Yeah, I did see it but after the fact. I edited my post but you were too quick for me.

 

[JunieJay]

Just chiming in with my 2 cents worth. I lived in Hermosa Beach for a couple of years back in the 80's and, as I recall, you will most likely need a wetsuit if you want to venture into the ocean at that time of year. The water temperature off the western coast of the United States is best described as "brisk". According to the Huntington Beach website, the ocean temperatures average 55 to 65 °F (10 to 15 °C) which is a bit chilly even for residents of the northern states. Then again, if you are a member of the polar bear club...

Here is a link to a useful site that contains ocean temperatures:
http://www.nodc.noaa.gov/dsdt/cwtg/spac.html

My boys do have wet suits, but they are used to the Atlantic Ocean. I doubt they will get in, but it will be fun to walk the beach or just sit there and watch other brave souls!

 

[pittypat]

Sorry for the multiple posting earlier-I don't know what is up with that!! Anyway, JunieJay we stayed in a regular room, not the club level. I can't imagine how nice the club level rooms must be because the regular rooms are terrific. The hotel will also arrange to set up chairs, umbrellas, etc. for your family on the beach if you book the day ahead. We never did that, but saw many hotel guests who did. LOVED that hotel!

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

If you stay in the Huntington Beach area you can rent bikes & go down to Newport Beach & take the ferry (for a $1 or two) to Balboa Island. You'll see the channel where the USS Minnow took off for Gilligan's Island.

If you stay in the Sta Monica area, you can ride bikes (or rollerblade) along the strand, stopping at various areas like Venice Beach, Marina Del Rey, & Redondo Beach Pier for a bite to eat. It makes for a really nice day. I know they have bikes for rent at various beach cities.