Updated August 27, 2025
I’ve always said that Disneyland is hard work. While magical and memorable and fun beyond the ordinary, the parks can wear on you. You’re in luck, however, because Southern California is home to some of the most amazing beaches in the world. Consider this inexpensive and relaxing add-on to your trip.
Here, I’ve detailed 5 of the best Orange County beaches. I’ve also researched San Diego options for you with information on the zoo and other destinations. Finally, this post details my favorite day trips from Disneyland.
Let’s take a look at some of my favorite beaches in Orange County:
Newport Beach & Balboa Island
- Distance from Disneyland: 45 minutes
- The main idea: Newport Beach and Balboa Island are old school charm. Rent a bike and ride between the two piers (about two miles). Park on the main land and walk to the ferry. For a small fee ($1.75 per adult), board the boat along with a few cars and travel to the island. The island includes gorgeous real estate to walk through along with Marine Street, which is filled with quaint shopping and dining. On the nearby Balboa Peninsula, enjoy the beach, the Balboa Fun Zone or walk the pier.
- What’s unique: I like Balboa Island because it encompasses many beach experiences in one. Ride a boat, walk an island and visit a pier all in one stop. Frozen bananas reign supreme here as far as snacks go. The most famous spot to buy them is called Sugar ‘n Spice – on the island – on Marine Avenue. Don’t miss out!
This video highlights Newport and Balboa.
Huntington Beach
- Distance from Disneyland: about 45 minutes
- The main idea: Known for wide open beaches and great surfing, Huntington Beach provides the perfect SoCal beach visit. Often called “Surf City USA”, this area is a favorite of many. Rent a bike to go from one end of town to the other along the 101.
- What’s unique: A large shopping district borders the beach with plenty of restaurants. The pier is nearby and is larger than most with a diner at the end, which is perfect for kids.
- Shopping: For the usual beachside options, find Main Street in the heart of Huntington. Nearby, Pacific City includes upscale options like Lululemon and Brandy Melville.
- Dining: We love Jack’s on the beach for Huntington Beach’s famous cheese strips and a cheeseburger. Grab a snow cone too! These guys rent bikes, as well, so you can get a lot done all in one spot.
- Favorite stops: If you’re looking for a cocktail or three, I recommend checking out The Bungalow. Looking for something different? Head to LXSO at Blue Gold. It’s a speak easy with amazing views and food/drinks. They accept reservations!
Check out a recent video of Huntington Beach here.
Laguna Beach
Located about 45 minutes from Disneyland, Laguna has so much!
- Walk Heisler Park along the beach for gorgeous views.
- Explore the Rivian Center.
- Visit Main Beach in the heart of Laguna.
- Explore the tide pools at Monument Point.
- Shop and dine on Broadway, Ocean Ave and surrounding streets near the beach.
- Check out the Pacific Marine Mammal Center.
- Hike the Top of the World hiking trail.
- Grab lunch at Husky Boys Burgers.
- Use the free Laguna Beach Trolley to get around.
Take a look at Laguna Beach in the video recap of our day trip here.
And this post has tons of photos and more info about Laguna Beach.
San Clemente
About 35 minutes from Disneyland, San Clemente is one of my favorites.
- Eat breakfast, lunch or dinner at Fisherman’s Restaurant. The views are amazing.
- Walk the pier and enjoy the beach.
- Visit Casa Romantica (for $8/adult; kids 12 and under are free). First Sunday of each month is free for everyone.
- Explore Avenida Del Mar for dining and shopping.
- Visit the free San Clemente Art Gallery.
- Walk around the Ole Hansen Beach Club.
- Ride the free San Clemente Trolley.
Ride the train down for an easy day trip! Check schedules for both Metrolink and Amtrak trains. Most days, the train pulls right up the heart of San Clemente, making everything walkable.
Here’s a peek at all of the San Clemente fun.
Dana Point Harbor
Located about 45 minutes from Disneyland, definitely consider Dana Point.
While you’re there…..
- Walk the Boardwalk end to end to see the ships.
- Visit the Ocean Institute, which has low admission costs and so much to do.
- Explore the tide pools behind the Ocean Institute.
- For a tide free, easy beach for little ones, visit Baby Beach.
- Eat at Harbor Beach Pizza or grab a treat from The Coffee Importers and people watch along the boardwalk.
- Shop and dine at the nearby Lantern District.
- Visit the Dana Point Bluff Top Trail for gorgeous views of the harbor.
- Take a whale watching tour.
Park for free for 3 hours at the harbor.
Here’s a video recap of Dana Point. It’s such a great area!
Transportation
Regarding transportation, Lansky (the car service I’ve used and recommended for years) can take you to the beach for the following rates:
- Disneyland from/to Balboa Island, Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, – $70 flat / 1 way
- Disneyland from/to Laguna Beach – $90 flat / 1 way
Preparation
And, since you already packed so much for Disneyland itself, you don’t want to be straddled with beach gear, too. Here are some tips on beach visits and how to minimize your haul to the sand.
- Rent gear – You can find everything you need including beach blankets, chairs and toys.
- Bring a sweater – SoCal beaches are beautiful for the day, but like Disneyland, the evening becomes chilly. Check the weather before departing and when in doubt, pack a sweater if you plan to stay late.
- Simplify – Because Disneyland is so stimulating and busy, encourage simplicity in your beach visit. Less toys and ‘stuff’ will help you all relax and enjoy the natural beauty California provides.
- Explore the tide pools – A veritable theme park of its own, sea critters gather along rocks and jetties just waiting for you to explore. Remember the rules, however, and leave the ocean as you found it.
- Pack the baby powder – A sprinkle of baby powder on dry feet will remove sand magically and will keep your hotel room looking less like the beach you just visited. Let kids dry, apply powder and brush off skin before climbing into the car.
A beach day can cost you less money than a meal at Disneyland if you plan it right. Pick up sandwiches and snacks en route, use hotel towels, and focus on the natural beauty of Southern California.
Bring a book and let the kids play. Unwind. You’ve earned it!
| Take a look at how Get Away Today can help with your vacation |
 |
We are at Crescent Bay right now and it’s beautiful! It’s a Wednesday so it’s not very busy and we found parking right up close. Thank you so much for these suggestions! Oh and lifeguard on duty and a bathroom!
Oh good info! Thank you. Glad y’all are having fun.
Great info, thank you!
Which one would you suggest for a family with young kids at the end of April/beginning of May? Sand, playing in the water, and tide pools would be the main reason for visiting – not interested in shopping or restaurants or anything else really. Staying near Disneyland, so closer to Disneyland is better.
I would choose Laguna or San Clemente. Both are pretty easy to navigate and so so beautiful with lots to do. Let me know if I can help with anything else!
We plan to get off the plane and go straight to the beach until we check into our hotel in Disneyland. What beach would be the closest to the airport. I really like Crescent Beach. Is that a reasonable distance from the airport?
Hi, Bonnie.
Which airport? There are 6 in the area that connect with Disneyland.
What is the best area to stay (beach preferred) if you want a hub in order to do the touristy stuff in LA (Universal, Hollywood sign, etc) as well as be able to go to Disneyland?
I love Newport Beach, although it can be pricey. Huntington Beach is nice, too.
Really, any of the beaches in this post will work for what you want to do. Enjoy!
If we have Lanksy’s bring us from Disneyland and drop us off, where is a good placed to be dropped off that we could swim, eat and shop without having to need a car? My son will only be five so it needs to be kid friendly. Thanks!
Which beach are you wanting to visit? If you don’t have a presence, Huntington Beach has a lot to do!
Hello, my family will be visiting Disneyland in 2 weeks from now and we’re staying 5 days in there. I have two kids age 14 and 5. Which beaches best for the kids that you mention. Thank you for this. Really appreciate it.
I like Balboa for an experience that covers a lot of parts of beach life. Crescent Bay is more relaxed. They’re all good!
Casey – do these beaches all have bathrooms and/or changing rooms?
All SoCal beaches have those amenities. More secluded and smaller beaches will have fewer. Crescent Bay, from this list, will have the least accommodations since it’s so small.
Going to Disney for a work conference the end of May. My daughters are coming along (13 and 25). We plan to stay at Disney the first couple of days, but then want to get closer to a beach. My youngest also wants to see Hollywood and shopping. Any suggestions??????
Sure! This post details Los Angeles beaches, Hollywood and more:
https://disneylanddaily.com/a-guide-to-los-angeles-for-the-disneyland-fan/
Hello, My family and I will be traveling to Disneyland in July we will have 5 kids ages ranging from 16 to 3 years old what is the best family friendly beach to visit.
thanks
I think Huntington Beach is easy because there’s ample parking, lots to do and plenty of places to eat nearby.
Going to Disneyland for spring break. It’s a family reunion, with lots of kids. Aging from 8 months to 15 years old. What beach would you recommend that is family oriented, close to the park?
Im going to Disneyland on my honeymoon in 2 weeks and its a suprise for my fiance , but she did say she wants to spend time at a beach (wherever we ended up going) which would be best romantic/relaxing beach to go to?
I recommend Crescent Bay for beauty and Balboa Island for charm. Both can be romantic. Crescent Bay would be more relaxing.
Traveling with my college age kids…. staying on property at Disneyland and we have a rental car…. staying for a week… we want to spend one day at the beach… which beach would you recomend for young adults… 19, 20 and 24?
Huntington Beach for your crew. Lots of cool shopping nearby. They’ll love it.
Hello,
We will be visiting CA for the first time in April…..will be doing Disneyland for 2 or 3 days then would like to go to the beach, especially crescent bay so that we can take my son snorkeling. Are there places in between that you would staying so that we could go to either on any given day or would it be easier to stay as close as possible to Disneyland for that part and then someplace closer to crescent bay for the remainder?
Crescent Bay will really be your best option. They’re all in this range of travel time.
We recently tried to snorkel at the bay and the lifeguard recommended we didn’t due to rough tides. So, be prepared in case you encounter the same.
We’re going in November, and I’m so glad I found this! Thanks for the great info!
We are visiting with our son who uses a wheelchair. What is the best handicap accessible choice for us? Are there beach wheelchairs available for use or rental?
Erich, I wish I knew. I have lots of info for such at Disneyland, but not beaches. I’m so sorry.
https://disneylanddaily.com/disabilities-at-disneyland/
I know this maybe too late, but Crystal Cove in Laguna/Newport has oversized wheelchairs that you can use on the sand. (Crystal Cove State Beach), I know they are availabe ( I think first come, first serve basis ) . They are available by the cottages.
Crystal Cove is a good family beach too.
Laguna Beach I don’t think is “wheel chair” accessible but I do know that you can get really close to beach before you might have to pick the wheelchair up and put down about two feet off the “deck”. Definitely take an umbrella though! Sunny California. Good luck!
Thank you!
We are planning to stay at Disneyland for 3 nights and would like to spend our last two at a beach resort. Any recommendations? My girls will be 3 and 4
I love all five of these suggestions for beaches. Newport will have the best resorts to choose from. I love Balboa Island most of all, though, for families.
My daughter and husband would like to try snorkeling while we’re at the beach. Would love suggestions for where to rent this equipment. Thanks
Which beach will you be visiting?
Is parking hard at Newport and/or Crescent beach? I will have a rent a car. Does Newport get overwhelming crowded in the summertime? Planning a trip last week in June.
Crescent Bay isn’t super easy to park at. Try the park just north of it for the best options. Newport Beach has more dedicated parking. All Southern California beaches get crowded during the summer, but it’s not unbearable by any means.
Hello, we are coming for a visit from Alaska for the first time bringing our kids that are 14. Would love to stay on the beach and be able to travel to Disneyland as we please. looking for a nice place to stay on the beach that’s safe and clean. any suggestions? Thank you in advance…. Livinthealaskandream
Hi, there.
I’m most familiar with the Disneyland area hotels. I’m so sorry I can’t offer more help. I would check Airbnb and other sites similar to it for the best accommodations. Good luck!
Are the beaches/waters enjoyable in earl you November?
SoCal beaches are nice all year, but the water is cold all year, too. Check temperatures before you travel and bring sweaters if you plan to stay for sunset. It will get chilly!
Are there bathrooms at Crescent?
There are! Take a look at this link: http://www.lagunapages.com/beach/crescent/crescent.asp
Newport beach such an amazing place to spend your weekends and even the events were adorable there. Even i attended birthday parties and other events there and that 32′ Bayliner Contessa Sportfisher is amazing.
Any suggestions for accommodations at the beach? Want to split up our next trip half staying close to the beach and half by DL.
Hi, Jeri. What accommodations are you looking for and which beach?
We are heading to the Santa Clarita area from DL. Any thoughts on good family beach areas in that direction? Thanks!
Santa Barbara is a good one in that area. We love it there. Lots more info on L.A. beaches in this post: https://disneylanddaily.com/a-guide-to-los-angeles-for-the-disneyland-fan/
Love this post! Paradise found… 🙂
Crescent Bay is beautiful, and great if you’ve got small kids. The tide pools will keep them occupied, if being in the water isnt enuf, and the bay helps to keep them from wondering to far, but if you want good surfing go to Huntington Beach
Crescent Bay is beautiful, and in my opinion, the best of the area beaches if you’re looking for a relaxed atmosphere.