Heaven built on sand
Life’s a beach in Southern California
ANAHEIM, Calif. ― A trip to Southern California wouldn’t be complete without at least one glorious day spent exploring of the fabulous Orange County beaches, situated between Los Angeles and San Diego. Several beaches can be comfortably visited and appreciated in one day, such as Laguna Beach, Newport Beach and Huntington Beach.
Each beach has a character of its own ― appealing to both locals and international visitors alike.
Pepe Avila, director of tourism development for the Anaheim Orange County Visitor and Convention Bureau, offered these oneword descriptions:
■ Laguna Beach is “eclectic.”
■ Newport Beach is “sophisticated.”
■ Huntington Beach is “laid-back.”
Here’s why each of these beaches is worth a visit:
Laguna Beach
Laguna Beach will particularly appeal to artists, with numerous art galleries and art events to discover and enjoy. Laguna’s three summer outdoor art festivals feature over 500 artists and 300 art workshops. The seaside community’s trendy shopping areas are sure to delight those looking for unique treasures or fashions reflecting the area’s vibrant-yet-laid-back vibe.
And for sun worshippers, the historic main beach is worth exploring. It features a vintage lifeguard tower overlooking the shore, a meandering boardwalk, as well as volleyball nets and basketball courts.
If you’re looking for a dogfriendly beach, leashed dogs are allowed on the beach in Laguna from mid-September until late May.
But during the summer months, Fido is only permitted on the beach — on leash, of course — before 9 a.m. and after 6 p.m.
Newport Beach
Treat yourself to a relaxing harbour cruise and catch a glimpse of how the other half lives. Newport Beach is the largest small-craft yacht harbour in the United States. If you’re lucky, you might even find your boat docked next to a yacht owned by someone rich and famous, such as the Wild Goose, which was owned by legendary actor John Wayne and is now used as a venue for “unforgettable” events. Visit hornblower.com for details.
Real estate in the area will blow your mind. Even a vacant waterfront lot can come with a $24-million price tag!
Between scenic Newport Harbor and the picturesque beach, you’ll find Balboa Village, where you can explore shops, ride the Ferris wheel ($4) or bucking shark ($10), book a whale-watching cruise, or just walk around and take in the ambience of the historical district.
Huntington Beach
Dubbed Surf City USA, Huntington Beach is a surfer’s paradise. It hosts over 50 surf events throughout the year, including the US Open of Surfing, the world’s largest pro surf contest.
You can rent a bike, jog or walk to explore the 16-km-long paved boardwalk that runs along the shoreline parallel to Pacific Coast Highway.
Into beach volleyball? There are 30 courts located right next to the pier, with nets available free on a firstcome-first-served basis, and volleyballs that can be rented from beachfront concessionaires.
Your four-legged family members are invited to play surfside, too. Huntington Beach features an almost twokm-long dog beach ― the only Orange County beach where off-leash critters are permitted.
Standup paddle boarding is popular. And gondola rides and kayaking can be enjoyed.
At the end of the day, watch the sun set while relaxing in front of a bonfire on the beach and enjoying some s’mores. There are more than 500 concrete fire rings available for free. Firewood can be purchased from a hotel or beach concessionaire.
The easygoing attitude, miles of uninterrupted coastline, and abundance of people embracing surfing as a way of life combine to reflect what many of us would consider to be an “authentic” Southern California-beach lifestyle.
The Huntington Beach Official Visitors Map points out that “you can get to Disneyland in Anaheim in less than 35 minutes, Hollywood is an hour away, and the San Diego Zoo is only a 90-minute drive.”
Soak up the view and enjoy the fresh ocean air.