01
Best overall pick
Newport Beach Municipal Beach
Balboa Peninsula, Newport Beach • Lively Boardwalk Beach • Great All-Day Beach Choice
A long, wide strand with a classic pier, plenty of food options, and enough space for both crowds and quiet corners.
If you want the full Southern California beach experience in one shot, Newport’s main city beach is the easiest answer from Woodcrest. The Balboa Peninsula gives you volleyball courts, bike and skate paths, fire pits, and quick access to casual seafood and ice cream. Parking can fill on summer weekends, so aim for an earlier start to avoid circling the lots.
02
Classic surf town feel
Huntington City Beach
Downtown Huntington Beach Oceanfront • Classic Surf Beach • Best For Surf And People-Watching
A long stretch of sand anchored by an iconic pier and surrounded by a walkable, surf-obsessed downtown.
Huntington City Beach is where you go when you want to feel like you’re in the middle of surf culture, even if you never touch a board. Wide sands and consistent waves make it fun to watch surfers from the pier while you wait for sunset. Pair your beach time with a stroll through Main Street’s cafes and shops just across the road.
03
Easiest with kids
Corona del Mar State Beach
Corona Del Mar, Newport Beach • Sheltered Family Cove • Best For Families And Casual Swimmers
A protected, crescent-shaped beach with gentler surf, good facilities, and a tucked-away feel.
Corona del Mar State Beach sits in a cove framed by cliffs and jetties, which helps knock down the swell and makes the water friendlier for wading and beginner swimmers. There are restrooms, showers, and a large pay lot right above the sand, which keeps logistics simple when you’ve packed up half the house for a family day. Walk toward the jetty for tide-pool peeks at low tide and views of boats heading in and out of Newport Harbor.
04
Wild coast escape
Crystal Cove State Park
Coast Between Newport And Laguna Beach • Scenic State Park Shoreline • Best For A Low-Key Coastal Hike And Swim
Miles of protected shoreline with bluffs, trails, and more space to spread out than the typical city beach.
Crystal Cove is the beach to pick when you want more nature and fewer high-rises at the end of your drive from Woodcrest. You can mix a short bluff-top hike with time on the sand, then watch the light change over the water from one of the wider, less crowded stretches. Parking is in state park lots above the beach, so expect a short walk down and be ready to pay the state park day-use fee.
05
Artsy beach town vibe
Main Beach, Laguna Beach
Laguna Beach Village Waterfront • Compact Town Beach • Best For Pairing Beach Time With A Stroll In Town
A small, central beach with a boardwalk, park, and easy access to Laguna’s galleries, cafes, and side-street coves.
Main Beach is the front porch of Laguna Beach, with a grassy park, basketball and volleyball courts, and a short boardwalk that’s ideal for people-watching. The sand itself can be busy, but you’re steps from coffee, snacks, and side streets that lead to quieter coves if you want to explore. It’s a smart choice when your group wants some city wandering and window-shopping alongside a few hours by the water.