01
Best overall pick
Crystal Cove State Beach
Between Laguna Beach And Newport Coast • Wild-Feeling State Park Shoreline • Best Mix Of Hiking And Beach Time
A long, bluff-backed stretch of sand where you can pair coastal hikes with a proper beach day.
From Modjeska, Crystal Cove is one of the first major beaches you hit, and it still feels surprisingly untouched for Orange County. Park up on the bluffs, hike down to broad sandy coves, and wander the historic cottage district at the south end. It’s an easy place to spend a full day, with room to spread out, tide pools at low tide, and enough trail options to feel like you earned your ocean dip.
02
Most convenient town beach
Main Beach, Laguna Beach
Downtown Laguna Beach • Bustling Central Town Beach • Best For People-Watching And Easy Access
Laguna’s front-yard beach, framed by a boardwalk, park, and the town’s cafés just across the street.
Main Beach is where Laguna’s art-town energy spills right onto the sand, making it an easy first stop once you drop out of the canyon. You get lifeguards, a wide sandy area, basketball and volleyball courts, and an oceanfront park that’s ideal for picnics or kids who need a break from the waves. Expect crowds on summer weekends, but also the payoff of great people-watching and sunset strolls along the boardwalk.
03
Best for surf culture
Huntington City Beach
Downtown Huntington Beach • Classic Wide Surf Beach • Top Spot For Waves And Beach Energy
A big, open beach built around the pier, bonfire rings, and a year-round surf scene.
If you want the full “Surf City” experience, Huntington’s city beach delivers: long rolling waves, a landmark pier, and a steady stream of surfers in the lineup. There’s ample sand for tossing a frisbee or setting up a day camp, plus fire rings that make lingering for sunset and s’mores an easy call. The lively bars, restaurants, and shops across Pacific Coast Highway turn a beach outing into a full night out without much planning.
04
Best for active days
Newport Municipal Beach at the Pier
Balboa Peninsula, Newport Beach • Energetic Pier And Boardwalk Strand • Best For Bike Rides And Long Walks
A busy, sun-soaked strand with a flat bike path, classic pier, and plenty of sandy room near the water.
Newport’s main stretch by the pier is all about movement: joggers on the hard sand, bikes and cruisers gliding along the paved path, and surfers working the sandbars. It’s an ideal choice if your beach day includes renting bikes, grabbing fish tacos, and strolling out along the pier between swims. Parking can be competitive near the pier, so consider slightly farther lots on the peninsula and enjoy the boardwalk walk in.
05
Best for families and groups
Doheny State Beach
Dana Point Harbor Area • Laid-Back Family Beach With Park Space • Best For Mellow Family Days And Paddling
A relaxed, harbor-adjacent beach where mellow waves, lawns, and picnic tables make settling in easy.
Doheny has a softer, more low-key feel than the busier pier beaches up the coast, which makes it great if you’re coming down from Modjeska with kids or a big group. The beach itself is relatively sheltered, with smaller waves, nearby restrooms, and a grassy park just off the sand for picnics or shade breaks. On the harbor side, rental shops make it simple to try stand-up paddling or a casual paddle around the marina between lazy sessions on the beach.