While Anaheim isn’t a coastal city, it’s only a couple of dozen miles inland, so getting to the beach from Anaheim is relatively easy. The city is close to great beaches that are perfect for day trips or weekends away, and it only takes about half an hour to get to the closest beach. Read through our guide below to learn all about the best beaches near Anaheim.
Laguna Beach
If you're looking for a quiet and calm beach experience near Anaheim, Laguna Beach might be your best option. It's not too far from the city along the Pacific Highway and is easily accessible, but not as popular or crowded as other nearby locations. This extensive beach is broken up by rocky formations that can be a lot of fun to explore, and Laguna Beach is simply perfect for families with kids of any age who like to climb around and discover secret spaces.
There are plenty of secluded spots to be found along this beach and the conditions are just right for all kinds of activities, from simple strolls along the sand to surfing and diving. If you want to make the most of the local town’s amenities, it makes sense to stick to the central area of the beach, but if you’ve brought your own gear and food, you can feel free to explore the beach at your leisure as it runs for several miles in both directions.
Huntington Beach Near Anaheim
One of the closest beaches to the city of Anaheim is Huntington Beach. It's about 20 miles away, so you can get to this beach in half an hour when the traffic is good, and it's definitely worth the trip. Huntington Beach is huge, stretching out for over three miles in length. It's an exceptionally popular beach due to its beauty and amenities, but there's always a lot of room for everyone to spread out due to the beach's enormous size.
Many surfers and water sports enthusiasts gather here, and the beach has even earned the nickname 'Surf City' due to the excellent wave-riding conditions that can be found here. Huntington Beach always has a lively atmosphere with a lot going on, and various special events and live entertainment shows are organized here throughout the year. There's a long fishing pier to stroll along and some beautiful views all around.
Seal Beach Near Anaheim
Only a half hour drive from Anaheim, Seal Beach is the exact opposite of a built-up, touristic area so it's a good stop for backpackers looking for a comfortable beach with an 'off the beaten track' vibe.
It’s actually only a couple of miles down the road from Huntington Beach but offers a very different kind of atmosphere, perfect for couples to sit and watch the sunset or families to play in the sand without feeling crowded.
This beach is perhaps best known for its huge fishing pier, which is actually the second longest of its kind in all of California. Right at the end of the pier, you'll be able to find a retro diner offering some tasty meals and stunning ocean views. The local town is also a real delight to explore, with a lot of charming antique shops and fine dining locations.
Mothers Beach
Less than half an hour from Anaheim, Mothers Beach is another top coastal location for people in need of some fun in the sun. It's part of the Long Beach area, which features a couple of different beaches to explore, but Mothers Beach is actually situated in a little sheltered cove with very warm, gentle waters and a lot of useful amenities. This is a really family-friendly beach, with picnic tables, play areas, volleyball courts, and other useful features to provide a full day of activities for people of all ages.
Kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding can be enjoyed here, with classes and guided tours being held on a regular basis. Concession stands are found here too and the waters are totally peaceful, just right for swimming. One thing to note about Mothers Beach, however, is that this is a very popular spot and can quickly get busy on weekends or special occasions, so it pays to get here early and claim your spot before the crowds build up.
Alamitos Beach, Long Beach
Alamitos Beach offers beach lovers everything you could possibly need for a fun day at the beach. Wide, long and clean, Alamitos Beach is at the western end of the Long Beach beaches and is linked to downtown Alamitos Bay by two paved trails, one for pedestrians and one for cyclists.
This expansive beach offers plenty of space for everyone to enjoy their day at the seaside – you can play beach volleyball or simply spread out your towel and soak up the rays. There is a concession where you can rent umbrella, bikes, roller-blades, fishing rods and skim boards. The water is calm and protected making this an ideal beach for children to enjoy.
802 E. Ocean Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90802, 562 570 3100
Bolsa Chica State Beach
Located south of Sunset Beach in Orange County, Bolsa Chica Beach is a popular meeting place for beach enthusiasts. The beach is perfect for a number of beach activities including surfing, swimming, water sports and surf fishing. The beach is patrolled by lifeguards all year round and the lifeguard towers are manned from around Memorial Day through Labor Day. Should you wish to stay for a few days you can bring your self-contained RV to one of the 50 camp sites, each of which has electric and water hookups and a picnic table. The waves are reputed to provide ideal conditions for surfers.
17851 Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach, CA 92649, 714 377 5691
Corona del Mar State Beach
The Corona del Mar State Beach (aka Big Corona Beach) offers near-perfect conditions for a day of family fun on the beach. The beach is about half a mile long and is backed by pretty cliffs, which make it a popular site for film makers – you may even recognize it from some movies you have seen.
Popular activities on this beach include surfing (Corona del Mar hosted the first major surfing competition back in 1928), swimming, sun bathing and beach volleyball. The beach offers good areas for picnicking, and some grassy sites with BBQ grills. The beach is fairly protected and is great for children.
3100 Ocean Blvd, Newport Beach, CA 92625, 949 644 3309
