Best beach for half-day visit while at DLR

ctbergman

Earning My Ears

Joined

Apr 13, 2015

• May 9, 2016

• #1

Hello Disneyland and SoCal experts,

This is our first trip out to Disneyland and we will be there at the end of May. My daughter would love to have the chance to see the ocean and look for shells to take back home. I only want to devote about a half day to this beach excursion. We would not swim, but would like to walk on the beach, look for shells, maybe see some sights and eat lunch before heading back to the parks. We will have a rental car (large SUV) which I will need to park near the beach.

What beach would you guys recommend for a quick trip like this that has easy parking and the activities we are hoping to do? I've heard Huntington Beach , Corona Del Mar and Crescent Bay are all good choices, but I am having a lot of trouble assessing activties and parking options.

I appreciate any local knowledge you are willing to share!

-Cristin

 

Bossy22

DIS Veteran

Joined

Jan 7, 2012

• May 9, 2016

• #2

No advice from me but this is exactly what we are looking into so I am following for information as well!!!

 

queso2992

Mouseketeer

Joined

Jan 3, 2015

• May 9, 2016

• #3

We did something similar at Huntington Beach. We found a parking lot pretty close to the pier and walked out to the beach. Not sure about shells, but there was quite a bit going on around us (volleyball, people hanging out, etc.). We ate Ruby's Diner at the end of the pier, although I'm sure there are more options.

 

cruisehopeful

DIS Veteran

Joined

Oct 25, 2015

• May 9, 2016

• #4

I like Crystal Cove State Park. It is large enough to have 3 or 4 parking lots. There is a historic district in part of it that has cottages on the beach and on the cliff. There are 2 places to eat right there, one is on the sand and the other is a hamburger and shake place on the top of the cliff with great views. Because the state park is so long, you can do many different things and see many things. We've collected shells, rocks, looked at the tide pools, seen whales spout, dolphins jumping by and seals playing in the kelp. The historic part has some interesting things to look at and read about what it was like a looong time ago for people who stayed there.

 

D

DLgal

DIS Veteran

Joined

Feb 12, 2013

• May 9, 2016

• #5

Crystal Cove or Corona del Mar. There are (pay) parking lots at both, as well as bathroom facilities and food options close by.

 

ncc1701

Scotty I need Warp 10 to WDW

Joined

Sep 21, 2009

• May 9, 2016

• #6

Huntington Beach is one of our favorite vacation spots. In addition to Ruby's there are restaurants on Main St. across from the pier. There seems to be a lot of parking (we stayed at either the Hyatt or Hilton and just walk up). The website www.surfcityusa.com is a good resource.

 

ctbergman

Earning My Ears

Joined

Apr 13, 2015

• May 9, 2016

• #7

Thank you all for the advice! I really appreciate it and can't wait to see the ocean with my kiddo

 

oumagic

Mouseketeer

Joined

May 5, 2011

• Oct 25, 2016

• #8

We always go to Crystal Cove. There is a Shake Shack up top of the bluff and the Beachcomber Cafe down on the beach. They have an historic district there to see old cottages and we spend the day there. There is usually a long wait for lunch at Beachcomber, so we put our name in when we get there and then play around the beach and eat and then play some more. Good tide pools there at low tide.