14 of the Closest Beaches to Anaheim for Families

Anaheim is a great destination for a family vacation. Aside from all things Disney, this area is rich in activities for the whole family to enjoy, such as visiting Angel Stadium or going to Adventure City.

Of course, no family vacation to California would be complete without a trip to the beach! There are no beaches in Anaheim itself, but many gorgeous beaches are within driving distance. Therefore, it’ll be easy to include a beach day in your holiday itinerary.

14 Best Beaches Near Anaheim

We’ve compiled the best beaches near Anaheim that are well-suited for families. The California coastline is absolutely beautiful, no matter which beach you choose.

Most of the beaches are so close that you can visit multiple on weekend beach trips. Or you can camp at one of the beaches with a campground and create family memories around a beach bonfire!

1. Corona Del Mar Beach

Corona Del Mar Beach is in Newport Beach, about 24 minutes away from Anaheim. This beach is also sometimes known as Big Corona Beach. It is the closest beach to Anaheim.

The beach is half a mile long and framed by a rock jetty and some cliffs. This beach is so picturesque it’s often used in Disney TV shows.

This is one of the best beaches near Anaheim for swimming. You can also go snorkeling and scuba diving. It is also popular for surfing and windsurfing. There are restrooms and showers available.

Dogs are only allowed on the beach any time after 4.30 pm and before 10 am.

2. Little Corona Del Mar Beach

Little Corona Del Mar Beach is in Newport Beach and minutes away from Anaheim. This beach is small and secluded, making it all the more appealing for those who enjoy the quieter side of life.

Two rocky reefs near Little Corona Del Mar Beach make it a popular spot for snorkeling and scuba diving. When the water levels are low, you’ll discover many tide pools that your kids can explore and wade in.

There are restrooms and shower facilities available as well. Dogs are allowed on the beach on the beach before 10 am and after 4.30 pm as long as they are on a leash.

3. Balboa Pier Beach

Balboa Pier Beach is located in Newport Beach, and it is about 30 minutes away from Anaheim. The pier is the most popular part of this beach. Fishing is permitted from the pier, but most people just enjoy taking in the view.

Surfing, sunbathing, and parasailing are the main activities at this beach. The Newport-Balboa Bike Trail is also by this beach, and people enjoy walking, running, skating, and biking along it. The Peninsula Park is a few steps away and offers a grassy park to sit and play on.

There are tables, a kid’s play area, and restaurants near this beach. There are also lifeguards on duty and fire pits that can be used.

4. Huntington State Beach

Huntington State Beach is located in Huntington Beach, about a 30-minute drive away from Anaheim. This beach is famous for its fine white sand and mesmerizing blue waters.

Huntington State Beach covers more than 121 acres. The Santa Ana River Jetty naturally restricts surfers to certain areas. This makes this a popular place to swim, boogie board and bodysurfing. Other popular activities here include volleyball, surf fishing (if you have a permit), and basketball.

5. Bolsa Chica State Beach

Bolsa Chica State Beach is in Huntington Beach, about 30 minutes from Anaheim. The beach stretches for 3 miles of beautiful coastline.

Popular activities at the Bolsa Chica State Beach are swimming, surfing, fishing, and biking on the shoreline. There are also beach volleyball courts and showers for afterward. You can rest assured knowing that there are lifeguards on duty.

There are also picnic tables and an RV campground with water and electrical hookups. There are also barbecue grills and fire rings available on the beach. Dogs are allowed on the trail but not on the beach.

6. Huntington City Beach

Huntington City Beach is located in Huntington Beach, and it’s about 30 minutes away from Anaheim.

Huntington Beach is the place to go if you want to see professional surfers in their element. You can rent bicycles and surfboards by the beach. There is a paved beach path that is perfect for walking, running, or biking.

There are also 100 beach bonfires you can use, as well as RV camping from October to May. There are public restrooms and outdoor showers. The beach is also wheelchair accessible.

The Huntington Beach Pier is a major draw to Huntington City Beach. It is one of the West Coast’s longest piers and stretches up to 1850 feet in length.

7. Alamitos Beach

Alamitos Beach is in Long Beach, 32 minutes away from Anaheim. The white sand beach is dotted with beautiful palm trees.

You can play beach volleyball, swim, sunbathe or tackle one of the paved paths. You can walk, bike, or skate along the beach. This beach is also popular for skimboarding and fishing.

You can rent beach umbrellas, boards, and beach chairs on the beach. As well as buy food and drinks. If you don’t like anything on offer, other amenities are nearby. No dogs are allowed on this beach.

8. Mother’s Beach

Mother’s Beach sits in a bay, making the waters calm and perfect for families and young children. The waves and currents aren’t strong, and the water is clean and clear. Mother’s Beach is in Long Beach, about 25 minutes away from Anaheim.

Kids can safely swim and wade in the water or build sandcastles on the shore. There is also a playground nearby in case the kids want a change of pace. Ther

There are kayak and paddleboarding rentals available for older family members. There is a lifeguard on duty to keep an eye on your little ones.

There’s also a grass park, picnic tables, benches, and beach volleyball. There is parking for a fee, and no dogs are allowed on the beach.

9. Abalone Cove Beach

Abalone Cove Beach is located in Rancho Palos Verdes, and it’s about 50 minutes away from Anaheim. Abalone Cove Beach is a part of Abalone Cove Park.

There are lifeguards on duty at Abalone Cove Beach during the weekend and summer hours. In the park, there are tide pools and viewing bluffs.

There are hiking trails, benches, and drinking fountains. There are also public restrooms and picnic areas with picnic tables.

There is an admission fee of, after the first 30 minutes, $12. Dogs aren’t allowed on the beach, but they are allowed on designated trails and on leashes.

10. Main Beach

Main Beach is in Laguna Beach, about 30 minutes away from Anaheim. Main Beach is the most famous beach in Laguna Beach! You’ve likely seen the iconic lifeguard tower on TV.

Aside from the beach itself, there’s a grassy park, public art installations, and a boardwalk. From June 15 to September 10, dogs can be on the beach any time before 9 am and any time after 6 pm.

From September 11 to June 14, dogs can be on the beach from 6 am to 10 pm. Dogs must always be on a leash that’s 6 inches or shorter.

Popular activities to do at Main Beach are scuba diving, bodysurfing, snorkeling, paddleboarding, surfing, kayaking, and volleyball. A children’s playground is located near the restrooms and showers. There are also lifeguards patrolling the beach.

Main Beach is amazing, but after Sunset, Laguna Beach is more of an adult-oriented area. You could head over to nearby Newport Beach, which is more family-oriented, for a wider variety of family establishments.

11. Morro Beach

Morro Beach is inside the Crystal Cove State Park. The park is between Laguna Beach and Newport Beach. It’s around 30 minutes away from Anaheim.

This beach, and this area, are popular for mountain biking, backpacking, hiking, and swimming. Inland trails near the beach also have hike-in camping spots for tents.

A campground and day-use parking are available near Crystal Cove State Park, near the beach. There are also picnic areas and public restrooms. There are also accessibility features installed. No dogs are allowed on the beach and there is a fee to enter the park.

12. Manhattan County Beach

Manhattan County Beach is located in Manhattan Beach, about 40 minutes away from Anaheim.

Manhattan County Beach is wide and 2 miles long, making it very popular for recreational activities. Activities include bodysurfing, windsurfing, swimming, fishing, volleyball, and beach walking. Running, walking, and skating on the bike path are also fairly popular activities.

The Manhattan Pier is also quite popular at Sunset and during the regular events that are hosted there. Located at the end of the pier is the Roundhouse Marine Studies Lab and Aquarium, free and open daily. There are no dogs allowed on this beach.

13. Redondo County Beach

Redondo County Beach is located in Redondo Beach, and it’s 35 minutes away from Anaheim. This beach is about 2 miles long.

Surfing is very popular, particularly at the Redondo Beach Pier. They even claim that surfing in California originated here. Fishing, swimming, volleyball, and windsurfing are other popular activities at this beach.

There are lifeguard guard stations all along the shoreline. Behind the beach, you will find the Marvin Braude Coastal Bike Trail. Biking, skating, walling, and running are very popular on this trail.

Redondo County Beach also has restrooms, showers, picnic tables, and a kid’s play area. There is a parking fee, and no dogs are allowed on the beach.

14. Hermosa City Beach

Hermosa City Beach is located in Hermosa Beach and is about 40 minutes away from Anaheim.

Hermosa City Beach stretches over 2 miles of coastline. There are 94 acres of sandy beach available for public use. This beach runs along Santa Monica Bay, all the way into Redondo County Beach. There is a pier at Hermosa City Beach that is popular for watching the sunset.

This beach is popular for swimming, diving, surfing, and volleyball. There are often surfing and volleyball tournaments. There’s a kid’s playground area and restaurants nearby. There are beach wheelchairs and a bike path. Restrooms and showers are also available by the beach.

FAQs

What is the closest beach to Disneyland?

Corona Del Mar is the closest beach to Disneyland. It’s only 20 miles away from the theme park if you’re looking to plan a day that includes both.

What is the best way to reach the beaches from Anaheim?

There are a few options you can pick from to travel to the beach. First, you can rent a car. This is the most convenient way to do it, especially if you’re traveling with young children.

You can rely on rideshare apps, which can also be quite convenient and affordable. This might limit how far you can go, though.

Finally, you can rely on the Anaheim Regional Transport bus system to get you there. This can be difficult with young children and lots of bags as you have to make transfers.