Beaches

Salt Creek Trail in Dana Point provides a long nature walk to the beach for active families. Maps to trails starting in Laguna Niguel, too.

Baby Beach in Dana Point Harbor has no waves and a view of The Ocean Institute. It’s the best beach in South Orange County for toddlers.

There’s a whole science to figuring out the best times to tidepool. What is the tidal range (difference between high and low tides)? Is it a minus tide (super-duper low …

We go to Catalina Island every summer. We’ve been visiting Catalina ever since I was in high school – so that’s 20+ years. I’m surprised how many of my friends …

The big headline is the HEAT. I’ve lived in the hot, humid, and buggy South before. And I have also lived right near Magic Mountain in Santa Clarita where the high …

Calafia Beach at San Clemente State Beach is a small stretch of beach north of the State Beach campground with its own day parking lot.

Seabridge Park in Huntington Harbour has a pirate playground & secluded beach at the tip of the harbor — known as Mother’s Beach.

Seal Beach Pier playground called Eisenhower Park provides all sorts of fun for the family – embodying the best of a California beach town.

Take a leisurely family stroll on the San Clemente Pier to learn about the ocean while seeing the sights and smelling the salty air.

This Huntington Beach pirate-themed playground near the pier on the sand is all inclusive. Play equipment has ramps which fit wheelchairs.