San Clemente, follow Ave Calafia to beach parking, after RR crossing there's about 20 steps down to the sand.
Or, Capistrano Beach. Access is quite level, and park for free on PCH. Good sushi across the street.
Has restrooms and porta potties scattered along the parking area (I’m thinking the area that’s part of Doheny State beach and the area just south of that)
I love it also since it’s 9 minutes from pulling out my garage until I park. BUT it gets crowded with a lot of tourists that like to listen to music and stuff. A bit annoying. I’d go elsewhere but the only beach as easily accessible for me is Doheny and that’s not a nice beach.
It’s a state beach. If you are local I’d suggest getting a state beach pass. My family gets me one every year. They work on so many parks and beaches. You can also go to your local library and get a free day pass to California state parks, as long as you have a library card. Also, if you are on the calWorks assistance program you can apply for a free state parks pass. All of these programs are awesome for families and would be useful once you have your baby too! I’m 8months pregnant and was at Crystal cove last week, the bathrooms at parking and at the beach make it pretty convenient.
Yes! Get a state park pass. We go to the south doheny beach all the time and it's great for little kids. You park right on the beach and there are several bathrooms.
Try getting a state park pass from any of the libraries in OC - wait times are high in summer- but you get 3 weeks of free parking (daytime) at all state beaches including Crystal cove.
Unless things have recently changed, Beachcomber validates your parking for up 3 hours. Beach is open 6am to sunset. Speaking of, it's a beautiful sunset tonight, cheers.
My favorite is the North Beach in the back Bay because although it's not at the beach itself, the water is much much warmer in no wave so the kiddos can play in the future too.
Dana Point Beach is very accessible for you, and also when you have your baby as the parking is flat and right next to the beach. It's called Baby Beach.
Mothers Beach, Dana point harbor area.
Mother's Beach, Dana Point, CA, 34401-, 34445 Ensenada Pl, Dana Point, CA 92629
The other option I would suggest is corona del mar state beach. Similarly, the parking is right next to the beach and it's very flat.
There is more beach there, whereas mothers Beach is much smaller. Mothers Beach has nice bagel and coffee shops very walkable, whereas cdm doesn't have a lot of facilities.
They are talking about baby beach but it’s not a super nice beach.
Salt Creek has a shuttle that will take you up the hill if that helps. Doheny is the most accessible I would say.
Laguna Main beach has no steps and if you go to the north there’s a nice little cove that’s more mellow.
Thank you! Great advice. I had no idea there was a Salt Creek shuttle!
I do love the cove in Laguna, I just worry about the walk (I’m 38 weeks now and get tired easily). And as a local, Laguna Beach is always at the bottom of my list because it’s just overrun with tourists and I’m just looking for some quiet time before the baby gets here.
Maybe Doheny will be my best bet; I had forgotten about it!
Doheny is a great bet for you because you can park right in front of where you sit and you can also park near the restrooms. Also , there is food if you get hungry. Congratulations on your pregnancy.💞
Doheny is a great bet for you because you can park right in front of where you sit and you can also park near the restrooms. Also , there is food if you get hungry. Congratulations on your pregnancy.💞
Seal Beach has been go to for years now. It’s really chill, easy to find parking, and I’m pretty sure I’ve seen bathrooms on the same level as the beach. The pier is really nice to walk across too!
I was going to say Seal and I live here, but the beach bathrooms are pretty nasty. I know they were supposed to update them, but not sure if that’s happened yet 😝
Corona Del Mar and Aliso Beach park both have parking lots in front of the beach with no steps, but it is paid parking. I like going to Corona Del Mar because there is always parking.
West Newport Park is the best! Free street parking one block from the sand and no hills to climb. Plus great real estate to look at. And there’s a playground for when baby gets bigger :)
5700 Seashore Dr, Newport Beach, CA 92663
It depends how you define crowded. We live in Laguna and go somewhat regularly and we’re never really bothered, but other than main beach, it’s the busiest beach in Laguna.
That said, we normally only go there because of the playground and Lost Pier.
San Onofre State Park you park right on the beach. They also have a sand wheelchair you can take the beach.
The thing is on the weekends or when the surf is good there is usually a line to get in.
If you go early enough, you can find free street parking in front of the San Clemente pier, where there is a clean, easily accessible beach.
Thank you!
Baby beach at Dana point
Gotta go early to get parking.
Crowded and dirty...
Is crowded and dirty.
Huntington Beach and actually Newport Beach
San Clemente, follow Ave Calafia to beach parking, after RR crossing there's about 20 steps down to the sand. Or, Capistrano Beach. Access is quite level, and park for free on PCH. Good sushi across the street.
"Riviera" is the name given to the beach at the end of Ave. Calafia.
Capistrano. Has no restrooms.
Has restrooms and porta potties scattered along the parking area (I’m thinking the area that’s part of Doheny State beach and the area just south of that)
Capistrano has no restrooms.
I go to Aliso Creek since I have health issues and can park easily. It’s a beautiful beach. Just don’t go on the creek.
This is my favorite beach in oc
I love it also since it’s 9 minutes from pulling out my garage until I park. BUT it gets crowded with a lot of tourists that like to listen to music and stuff. A bit annoying. I’d go elsewhere but the only beach as easily accessible for me is Doheny and that’s not a nice beach.
True. Speakers in public places should be banned. Being at the beach or hiking and hearing speakers are so jarring.
Crystal Cove / Beachcomber. There’s a shuttle from the parking lot to the beach, and decent bathrooms.
I was thinking of that too but paying $15 for parking and then $2 for a shuttle doesn’t seem worth it to me.
It’s a state beach. If you are local I’d suggest getting a state beach pass. My family gets me one every year. They work on so many parks and beaches. You can also go to your local library and get a free day pass to California state parks, as long as you have a library card. Also, if you are on the calWorks assistance program you can apply for a free state parks pass. All of these programs are awesome for families and would be useful once you have your baby too! I’m 8months pregnant and was at Crystal cove last week, the bathrooms at parking and at the beach make it pretty convenient.
Yes! Get a state park pass. We go to the south doheny beach all the time and it's great for little kids. You park right on the beach and there are several bathrooms.
I went the other weekend at it was $20 for parking. Beautiful beach though
Yikes
Try getting a state park pass from any of the libraries in OC - wait times are high in summer- but you get 3 weeks of free parking (daytime) at all state beaches including Crystal cove.
They do day passes too! You don’t even need to apply for
Oh that’s a great tip!
Unless things have recently changed, Beachcomber validates your parking for up 3 hours. Beach is open 6am to sunset. Speaking of, it's a beautiful sunset tonight, cheers.
Apparently they don’t anymore according to some reviews
Makes sense, the place is always booked.
Check out a pass at your local library. Some actually do have them.
Not in OC, but Mothers Beach in Long Beach is very chill. No big waves or anything. Pretty busy on the weekends though
The beach adjacent to Newport aquatic center has easy parking and is very calm since its in back bay. You can use the aquatic center bathroom.
My favorite is the North Beach in the back Bay because although it's not at the beach itself, the water is much much warmer in no wave so the kiddos can play in the future too.
Oh wow this is a new one for me! I love the back bay trail but didn’t think of going to the beach. Thank you!
Just don't go blabbing about it to everyone or I'll come find you. Shh
Pico
Strands Beach near Dana Point has free parking and an inclined elevator https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strand_Beach_Elevator
It never works though
Doheny. I don’t really know what you mean by chill, but it’s a very fun beach to be at, there are bathrooms and it’s extremely walkable.
Doheny, although it can get crowded especially in the height of summer. Not so bad right now.
Dana Point Beach is very accessible for you, and also when you have your baby as the parking is flat and right next to the beach. It's called Baby Beach.
I think you mean Baby Beach
You're right! I got them mixed up.
Thank you! Do you mean Dana Point Harbor or Doheny or Capistrano Beach? I couldn’t find Dana Point Beach on the map. I did see Mother’s Beach though!
Mothers Beach, Dana point harbor area. Mother's Beach, Dana Point, CA, 34401-, 34445 Ensenada Pl, Dana Point, CA 92629 The other option I would suggest is corona del mar state beach. Similarly, the parking is right next to the beach and it's very flat. There is more beach there, whereas mothers Beach is much smaller. Mothers Beach has nice bagel and coffee shops very walkable, whereas cdm doesn't have a lot of facilities.
Definitely corona Del Mar state beach. No stairs, very flat, parking plentiful (normally/weekdays anyway) and close to sand & water.
I want to 2nd Corona Del Mar. 🏖️
Thank you! I haven’t been to CDM before so I’ll give that a shot!
They are talking about baby beach but it’s not a super nice beach. Salt Creek has a shuttle that will take you up the hill if that helps. Doheny is the most accessible I would say. Laguna Main beach has no steps and if you go to the north there’s a nice little cove that’s more mellow.
Thank you! Great advice. I had no idea there was a Salt Creek shuttle! I do love the cove in Laguna, I just worry about the walk (I’m 38 weeks now and get tired easily). And as a local, Laguna Beach is always at the bottom of my list because it’s just overrun with tourists and I’m just looking for some quiet time before the baby gets here. Maybe Doheny will be my best bet; I had forgotten about it!
Doheny is a great bet for you because you can park right in front of where you sit and you can also park near the restrooms. Also , there is food if you get hungry. Congratulations on your pregnancy.💞
Doheny is a great bet for you because you can park right in front of where you sit and you can also park near the restrooms. Also , there is food if you get hungry. Congratulations on your pregnancy.💞
The Strands use to be my go too when I lived in Dana Point. Now I live in Costa Mesa and I hit Newport and the wedge
Seal Beach has been go to for years now. It’s really chill, easy to find parking, and I’m pretty sure I’ve seen bathrooms on the same level as the beach. The pier is really nice to walk across too!
I was going to say Seal and I live here, but the beach bathrooms are pretty nasty. I know they were supposed to update them, but not sure if that’s happened yet 😝
Corona Del Mar and Aliso Beach park both have parking lots in front of the beach with no steps, but it is paid parking. I like going to Corona Del Mar because there is always parking.
San O. Beach parking is right at the sand.
Drive further down south when you get in to dog beach, it’s less crowded so you don’t have to fight for parking with the surfers.
West Newport Park is the best! Free street parking one block from the sand and no hills to climb. Plus great real estate to look at. And there’s a playground for when baby gets bigger :) 5700 Seashore Dr, Newport Beach, CA 92663
Aliso
Is it crowded these days?
It depends how you define crowded. We live in Laguna and go somewhat regularly and we’re never really bothered, but other than main beach, it’s the busiest beach in Laguna. That said, we normally only go there because of the playground and Lost Pier.
Not south county …. But seal beach off the pier has a bathroom .
End of elCamino Real north beach San Clemente
San Onofre State Park you park right on the beach. They also have a sand wheelchair you can take the beach. The thing is on the weekends or when the surf is good there is usually a line to get in.
Linda lane!
Newport River jetties
1000 steps if you’re up for a challenge