Orange County family beaches enjoy balmy weather year round, miles of sunny coastline, ocean sunsets and watersports if you want them. Here are eight of our favorites to visit with kids any time.
Aliso Beach, Laguna Beach
This is one of the best Orange County family beaches for easy swimming waves, dramatic landscapes and teeming tidepools to explore. Plenty of parking, playground structures and picnic tables add to the family-friendly spirit of Aliso — fire pits are another bonus on rare cloudy days.
Baby Beach, Dana Point
The pretty stretch of sand at Dana Point’s little harbor is perfect for toddlers, with unthreatening waves and a friendly vibe. Families with older kids might want to try standup paddle-boarding, a popular activity at the beach. Surrounded by lush bluffs and adjacent to the kid-friendly Ocean Institute, this is one of the true Orange County family beaches.
Crystal Cove State Park, Newport Coast
A magical setting along the pristine Newport Coast makes this one of the most charming Orange County family beaches. It’s known for the surrounding bluffs with quaint cottages dotting their foothills and, if you’re patient, dolphin can occasionally be spotted playing in the surf.
Sunset Beach, Huntington Beach
One of the widest Orange County family beaches , Sunset Beach’s proximity to a pristine 14-acre greenbelt makes it an outdoorsy paradise. As part of the Sunset Beach community, there are plenty of restaurants within walking distance, plus it’s normally uncrowded so perfect for peaceful activities like beachcombing.
Little Corona Beach, Corona Del Mar
A cozy little cove which can get crowded on weekends, Little Corona is always a hit with younger kids thanks to its tide pools and gentle waves. The sunsets here are renowned, and on a clear day it’s one of the Orange County family beaches with views of Catalina Island in the distance. Public restrooms and seasonal shower facilities make for easy swimming as well.
San Clemente State Beach, San Clemente
Not just one of the most popular Orange County family beaches, San Clemente is one of the most-visited in the entire state. It buzzes with activities of all kinds, including swimming, surfing, picnicking, fishing, hiking and even skin-diving. It’s also home to campgrounds for both tent and RV camping and it’s a top spot for wildlife watching too.
Treasure Island Beach, Laguna Beach
Tucked behind the Montage Resort with its public access not immediately obvious, of all the Orange County family beaches this is perhaps the least well known. Gorgeous cliffs are part of the spectacular scenery and mellow waves make swimming safe and fun for younger kids.
Bolsa Chica State Beach, Huntington Beach
This three-mile long paradise is one of the Orange County family beaches with lifeguards year-round. Popular activities here include surfing, camping and surf-fishing, and the Ecological Reserve across the highway makes for an easy and fun birdwatching trek.
Looking for more family beach fun? Try 10 incredible US beaches to discover with kids. And don’t forget to follow Family Traveller on Instagram and Facebook and share your travel plans with us – or just say ‘hi’.