A curated list of the top 10 best beaches for kids in Orange County. These beaches are easy to get to, have small waves and have bathrooms nearby making it easy to maneuver with your little ones in tow!
1. Corona Del Mar - Little Beach
Cross over the rocks to get to little beach and you’ll find the best tide pools, tiny waves if any and great sand areas to play with the kids! They also have Bathrooms, Showers and a snack bar in the main parking lot.
2. Dana Point - Baby Beach
The most popular beach for kids, this is a fun spot if you don’t mind the crowd and tons of kids playing! The beach is roped off and protected and always has a life guard on duty. Bathrooms and showers are the edge for easy access. On weekends arrive by 9am for parking and a good spot to park.
top 10 best beaches for kids in Orange County
3. China Cove - Corona Del Mar
Small and feels private yet it’s public and you can have it all to yourself! Sandy beach with no waves makes it perfect for the kids! Put it in your google maps for directions and then park in the street and walk down.
4. Newport Dunes - Newport Beach
Did you know the dunes has a free public beach that is perfect for kids and has no waves! If you want to pay $25 for older kids there are really fun water floats they can play on too! You can also rent paddle boards here or just enjoy a nice picnic and the playground on the sand! Parking is just $10.00
5. Crystal Cove State Beach
Crystal Cove is gorgeous and worth the trek but make sure you don’t bring a wagon for all of your stuff since there are little stairs walking down and pack lightly. There are bathrooms in the parking lot but not near the sand.
top 10 best beaches for kids in Orange County
6. Balboa Island
Balboa Island is home 10 several little beaches that happen to be PERFECT for little kids. There are no waves, plenty of sand and warm water for them to swim and play. You can walk along North Bay front and stop at any one the little beaches. They also have several on the little island. South Bay front is fun to walk but not my favorite for beach play.
7. Linda Lane Beach - San Clemente
One of my favorite beaches for kids. This area is great for swimming and they do not allow the surfers here since its protected between the red flags. To the left of the pier at the end of Linda Lane. They also have restrooms in the parking lot and easy parking.
top 10 best beaches for kids in Orange County
8. Marina Park Newport Beach
Not only do they have one of our favorite play areas, they also have the perfect beach for the kids! There are no waves, soft sand and shallow water perfect for swimming and water toys. In the summer the beach gets packed so arrive early for parking. The parking lot has paid meter machines that take all major CC.
9.17th Street, Huntington Beach
We found 17th Street when we started surf camp with The Little Surf CO. Its north of the pier and you won’t find all of the huge crowds here. The walk from your car to the water is much easier to do here compared to main beach and parking is fairly simple on PCH. There are paid meters that require a CC. Waves are super small and break further from shore. Sometimes they get a rip current here but only if you go out past the break.
10. Doheny State Beach
Last but not least.. Laguna Beach
When in Laguna, these are my absolute favorite must see beaches!
- Shaws Cove
- Divers Cove
- 1000 steps
- Christmas Cove
- Crescent Bay
- Fishermans cove
- Moss Street
- Pearl Street
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