Every year more and more snowbirds are migrating to the many beaches of California. With over 1,000 miles of shoreline, almost 120 beach cities, and over 450 beaches, it can be tough decision choosing a place to stay. All beach towns are definitely not alike and the shorelines range from coarse to fine sandy beaches to, pebbles and rocks.
The Orange County area is one of my favorite winter getaways. It's close enough to Los Angeles for those times when you need a big city fix, but far enough removed that you can still find a quiet, uncrowded haven to enjoy an ocean view. You can walk or ride a bike for miles along the beaches and ocean front walkways and soak up the sun in the moderate winter temperatures. Here is a run-down of some of my favorite Orange County beach towns.
Seal Beach
Great beach shopping, including clothing for the over-25 crowd, with fewer crowds than Laguna or Newport; this combined with free parking make this beach an all around winner. It has plenty of dining choices, entertainment, and an Old Town featuring wide, shady streets. You can fish from one of the longest piers in the state, and enjoy views that go on forever.
Huntington Beach
Also known as "Surf City" and the subject of the song by the same name, Huntington Beach was a humble surf town that evolved into a growing city with a population over 195,000. Residents and visitors are treated to eight miles of uninterrupted scenic beachfront, the 350-acre Central Park complex, biking/walking and equestrian trails, world class surfing and professional sporting events such as AVP Pro Beach Volleyball and the Surf City USA Marathon. The long pier is the perfect place to watch surfers or stop for breakfast and enjoy the morning view.
The Main St. is famous for its surf shops, but dig deeper and you'll find the 5 Points Shopping Center filled with popular outlet stores, and the Bella Terra Mall with a new 20-screen theater. One of the nation's largest shopping malls, South Coast Plaza, is located only minutes away. Huntington Beach is also conveniently located only 15 miles from Disneyland, 15 minutes from Newport Beach and Long Beach, and acts as a bedroom community for Los Angeles or Orange County commuters.
Newport Beach
Newport Beach is the epitome of a California beach town and an ideal winter escape from the cold. The City of Newport includes 22 square miles of ocean and bay, which includes several islands and the five mile stretch known as the Newport or Balboa Peninsula. This little gem is full of shops, restaurants, sandy beaches, two piers, boat rentals, boat cruises, and prime surfing spots. You can shop 'til you drop at the nearby Fashion Island, with its 200 specialty stores, 40 restaurants and a cinema.
Golfers delight in several nearby courses including Newport Beach Golf Course, Hyatt Newporter Golf Course and Pelican Hills Golf Course.
Some of the most lucrative real estate in southern California is located among the seven islands that make up Newport Beach. Homes upwards of $2 million are surrounded by one of the world's largest small yacht harbors.
