Adding a trip to the beaches near Disneyland in California can make for an even better vacation when you are visiting the Happiest Place on Earth.  Here are 9 of the best beaches near Disneyland!

9 Best Beaches near Disneyland CA: 2024 SoCal Beach Guide

Planning a beach day during your Disneyland trip in California? You’re in for a treat! Disneyland is close to some of Southern California’s best beaches. This guide will show you the 9 top beaches near Disneyland.   In this post I’ll look at location, beauty, convenience, and safety. Whether you want a pretty view, a place for the family, or free parking, this guide has it all. Let’s explore the best beach spots near Disneyland and enjoy your SoCal adventure!

Where is Disneyland in California?

Disneyland is in Anaheim, California. 

Anaheim is in Orange County, about 35 miles from downtown Los Angeles. The exact address is 1313 Disneyland Dr, Anaheim, CA 92802.

This makes Disneyland easy to get to from many places in Southern California.   Well, let’s break that down a bit.  If there weren’t such a thing as Southern California traffic then it would be easy.  But if you have ever driven on the highways close to the Disneyland resort you know that traffic can turn a 15 mile trip into a 45 minute to an hour misadventure! 

But don’t worry- we will cover that too, so keep reading to learn the highest traffic times to avoid. 

What are the nine closest beaches to Disneyland?

Nine amazing beaches are a short drive or relatively close to the park. Each beach has cool things to do for people of all ages. So, grab your sunscreen and let’s check out these beaches close to Disneyland!

I have ranked them below in terms of distance from Anaheim, with sections below this on the best family beaches, safest beaches, and fun things to do at each beach. 

Huntington Beach

 

Huntington City Beach is known as Surf City USA. It’s a well-rounded, laid-back destination thanks to its huge pier, sandy beaches, and great waves.   This beach is roughly 14 miles away from Anaheim.

You can surf, walk on the beachfront, or have a picnic.  This was the first beach my kids ever went to (we live in Colorado so are a bit land locked).  It was a perfect beach day as it was easy to get to, not very crowded, and had good restroom and shower options.  The pier was a hit with my kids too! 

We did go during “June Gloom” (see my blog on visiting Disneyland in June) so it was a bit cloudy but don’t skip the sunscreen on a cloudy day, you can still get burned!

Seal Beach

Seal Beach is ideal for families and is 15 miles away from Anaheim. It has smooth waves and a kid-friendly vibe. 

The beach has a pier with awesome ocean views and a great breeze, similar to Hungtington Beach’s pier. Seal Beach also has a main street with cute shops, cafes, restaurants, and even an old carousel. 

There’s also a playground and a swimming area.   Eisenhower Park is a nearby park that’s great for picnics (it has plenty of picnic tables) and ocean views.  Another perk of Seal Beach is the National Wildlife Refuge with great trails, bird watching, and marine life viewing. 

Long Beach

Long Beach is filled with things to see and do and is about 16 miles northwest of Anaheim. You can visit the Queen Mary, the Aquarium of the Pacific, or The Pike at the waterfront.   

The Queen Mary is an ocean liner that sailed the Atlantic Ocean from 1936 to 1967- in fact my inlaws immigrated to the U.S. via the Queen Mary from England.  Tours are offered of the Queen Mary (even ghost tours) or you can visit during off peak hours for a cheaper admission.

Long Beach is also home to the Aquarium of the Pacific, which has a variety of marine life exhibits, including Penguins, Sea Otters, Sharks, and jellyfish!

The Pike at Long Beach is a former amusement park turned Outlet Mall, definitely worth checking out if you want to get some shopping in or are looking for a bite to eat.

The beach itself is long (so it’s appropriately named) and is perfect for sunbathing, playing volleyball (they have great beach volleyball courts), or just taking a walk.

Newport Beach

Newport Beach has beautiful waters and sandy shores, and is a vibrant community.  It is located 17 miles from Anaheim.  

The Newport Beach Pier (can you see a pattern here?) offers amazing views, fishing, and places to shop and eat. 

The Balboa Fun Zone is there, too. It’s a small pier-side amusement park (well, that’s a stretch) that has a small Ferris wheel, as well as three other rides- Ocean Motion, Coconut Climb, and Happy Swing.  

Catalina Island

In the same area as the Balboa Fun Zone is the launching dock for a ferry to Catalina Island.  If you have time, make a day of this- it is totally worth it! Catalina Island is gorgeous and offers boating, shops, restaurants, beaches, glass-bottom boat tours, and tours of the island.  Definitely check out the wild buffalo!

Corona del Mar State Beach

Corona del Mar State Beach is in upscale Newport Beach. It’s peaceful and less crowded than many of the other beaches. You can explore tide pools, have a beach picnic, or just enjoy the sun. It’s a hidden spot that’s definitely worth a visit!

Laguna Beach

Laguna Beach is stunning, with its coves, tide pools, and cliffs—as well as its upscale vibe. This local beach is about 22 miles from Anaheim.  

It’s also known for its art scene, which includes unique galleries, fun festivals, and shows year-round. 

The cliffside views at Laguna Beach are truly gorgeous! Laguna Beach is a great option whether you love nature, art, or chilling at the beach.

Dana Point

Dana Point sits in a picturesque coastal area. It’s peaceful, with lovely beaches, and is about 29 miles from Anaheim. 

The harbor at Dana Point offers a great spot for boats and water sports.  Surfing is also popular at Dana Point, both at Salt Creek Beach and Doheny State Beach.

Doheny State Beach is great for surfing and picnics.  It offers restrooms, showers, picnic tables, and bbq grills.  It also is unique in that it has camp sites for both RV’s and tents.  So, if camping on a California beach is on your agenda check this place out- but book it as early as you can.  Campsites can fill up quick and you can book them as early as 6 months in advance. 

Dana Point is also considered one of the best whale-watching destinations in Southern California. Boat tours depart from the harbor, offering the chance to see blue whales, gray whales, dolphins, and other marine life, especially during their migration seasons.

Crystal Cove State Park

Crystal Cove State Park is located approximately 26 miles south of Anaheim, California. The drive usually takes around 35-40 minutes, depending on traffic conditions.

This State Park is a natural wonder. It has unspoiled beaches, tide pools, and trails. You can camp, hike, or relax on the beach.   The same rule applies as far as booking your campsite early here also. 

You can also explore the Crystal Cove Historic District, which preserves 46 vintage beach cottages dating back to the 1920s and ’30s.  I also recommend taking a self-guided walking tour to see the charming cottages and learn about the area’s history.

San Clemente State Beach

San Clemente State Beach has something for everyone. Families and surfers love it here. You can camp, picnic, or just enjoy the beach.

This beach is located approximately 30 miles south of Anaheim, California. The drive typically takes around 40-45 minutes, depending on traffic conditions (more on this below).  

San Clemente is popular for surfing and bodyboarding. Like Doheny State Beach, it offers camping. The beach has a pier, picnic tables, beach volleyball courts, and a coastal trail with gorgeous views of the Pacific Ocean.

These nine beaches offer a mix of beautiful views, history, relaxation, and fun things to do. They’re all pretty close to Disneyland, at least in miles. 

What is the prettiest beach near Disneyland?

Many people consider Laguna Beach the most beautiful beach near Disneyland.  It’s famous for its lovely coves, high cliffs, clear waters, and gorgeous sunsets. 

Beauty is, of course, a very subjective thing, so you may feel differently.  

I would love to hear your favorite SoCal beaches in the comments!

What is the safest beach near Disneyland?

While all of these beaches are equally safe as far as crime goes, Seal Beach is often seen as the safest beach near Disneyland.

It has gentle waves and calm waters, perfect for families. As is true for many of these beaches listed, there’s always a lifeguard around. The sand is clean, and the vibe is great for kids. This makes it a top pick for a safe and fun beach visit.

What time of day is best to drive from Disneyland to the closest beaches? 

The busiest times to avoid are morning and evening rush hours, along with weekends and holidays. That’s when you’ll find most locals and tourists on the road.   Morning and Evening rush hour in Southern California is typically between 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM.

To dodge heavy traffic, try visiting beaches on weekday afternoons or early evenings. These times usually have fewer cars, making your drive smoother. 

Use your favorite navigation app to get real-time traffic updates and alternative routes, and try checking this app before you venture onto the highway.

Think about other ways to get to the beach, too. Public transit or rideshares like Uber or Lyft could be less stressful. They also avoid the problem of parking.

Planning your trip with care can make going from Anaheim to the beach much nicer. Keep peak times in mind, use apps for traffic, and consider different travel options. 

What beaches near Disneyland have free parking

Looking for beaches with free parking near Disneyland? Many of the above options have free parking. Here are some examples:

1. Huntington Beach: Huntington Beach offers free parking. Look for spots along Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) and nearby side streets. Get there early to snag a space as they often fill up fast.
2. Seal Beach: Seal Beach is another free parking beach close to Long Beach. You’ll find parking along Ocean Avenue and Main Street. But, like Huntington, it gets busy, so coming early is key.
3. Newport Beach: Newport Beach also has free parking areas, especially at Balboa Peninsula. Look for street parking along East Oceanfront and West Oceanfront. Always check the signs for any restrictions before you park.  Keep in mind that if you are looking to park close to the Balboa Fun Zone or the ferry to Catalina Island those parking lots are paid, but there is free parking nearby.

Parking can change with the seasons and times of the day, so your mileage may vary on this one.

What beaches near Disneyland are family-friendly?

Huntington Beach is a top pick for families heading to the beach. It’s known for its friendly vibe and heaps of activities for kids. They can enjoy making sandcastles, flying kites, and playing in the nearby playgrounds.

Newport Beach is also a great choice for families. It has calm waters, is very pretty, and offers some fun kiddy rides at the Balboa Funzone. Families can chill on the beach, enjoy a picnic, or check out Newport Pier. Plus, you can rent bikes for a ride along the boardwalk.

Laguna Beach is also known for being kid-friendly. Its shallow waters and tide pools are perfect for little ones. There are also plenty of places for picnics and hiking trails, making it great for outdoor activities with the kids.  

Seal Beach, as noted above, has gentle waters and is a great option for kids.

These beaches near Disneyland host special events for kids and families. With festivals and sandcastle contests, there’s always something fun to do. 

The Wrap Up

It’s relatively easy to take a side trip to the beach during your Disneyland trip. Compared to Walt Disney World, Disneyland is a compact park with only two theme parks on property. This means you can do most of your park touring in 2-4 days and then relax at the beach!

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