Beaches in Orange County

California’s beaches – like every other aspect of the Golden State – are difficult to define due to the wide variety of experiences to be had. Rocky beaches, sandy beaches, beaches good for swimming, people watching, surfing, or sports can be found up and down the coast. In Orange County, there is significant tourist traffic (the OC is also the home of Disneyland and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim), but regardless of what a traveler seeks in his beach experience, there is an OC sandy hot spot for him.

The traditional beach experience is still something special. Rolling waves, crowded sand, and various easy-to-set-up, no-maintenance-necessary activities define Laguna’s Main Beach. It’s got the standard set of rules designed to prevent beachgoers from getting in each other’s way. No smoking allowed. No pets allowed during the day in the summer. Restrooms and showers available, and no alcohol on the beach. This rule is strictly enforced, incidentally, so don’t start scheming.

They also offer a bike path and volleyball for the more active beachgoers, and allow surfing. Don’t worry about territorial longboarders, though. A sandbar prevents the surf from getting too far up. Boogie boarders may put your shins at risk, though.

For an all-day excursion, visit Balboa Beach. When beachgoers get tired of the sand and surf, or just want to stretch their legs, there is plenty to do on Balboa. The pier is a great walk, and the wide range of galleries and gift shops make for a terrific afternoon of window shopping, even if you don’t buy anything. There is also a wide variety of dining options if the cooler winds up full of sand, ruining the sandwiches you brought for the day. On top of all that, the Balboa Fun Zone has been an amusement park and landmark since 1936. The complete renovation the park underwent in 1986 should be a relief to travelers a little squeamish about riding a ferris wheel built in the 1930s.

For some quality night beaching, visit Huntington Beach State Park. Aside from the usual accouterments, Huntington Beach has basketball courts, and every morning the crew rakes the beach, so litter and seaweed is kept to a minimum. Huntington also features several fire pits for nighttime bonfires. If you have never enjoyed a nighttime party on the beach, don’t let the opening scene in “Jaws” discourage you. It’s a great party atmosphere, worthy of Frankie and Annette.

To surf (or learn how to surf), Bolsa Chica State Park is your destination. This beach has an entry fee, but the cleanliness of the beach and the extras offered help that bitter pill go down. As an added bonus, Bolsa Chica’s proximity to an Ecological Reserve makes it a perfect perch for birdwatchers. The first Saturday of every month, bird-watching tours are given from the beach. As a bonus, Bolsa Chica is known to be a popular spot to watch the grunion run – a floppity excursion onto land by the fish to spawn.