As your Disneyland experts, we send a lot of families to Disneyland each year and one of the questions we're asked often is what the best beaches near Disneyland are, especially for families. We feel like a Disneyland vacation is incomplete without a day or two of beach time scheduled in, so we want to help you make your plans. Be sure to add an extra night or two so you can soak up all of the fun at Southern California's best beaches near Disneyland!

Best beaches near Disneyland

Huntington Beach

Where it is: 20 miles southwest of Disneyland and approximately a 30 minute drive

Why we love it: It's a huge beach and there is always something going on. From the active pier to sand volleyball courts to tons of shopping and dining just across the street. Also, it is known as Surf City, USA and you can almost always see someone catching a wave. It is fun, laid back and family-friendly; everything you'd want and expect in a beach near Disneyland. Huntington Beach also has fire pits available on  a first come, first serve basis, and the beach stays open until 10pm. It's perfect for roasting s'mores on the beach!

Newport Beach

Where it is: 20 miles southwest of Disneyland and approximately a 30 minute drive

Why we love it: It's beautiful, clean, relaxing and one of the most popular beaches near Disneyland. That could be because the Balboa Pier at Newport Beach was the inspiration behind the hit show, The OC... California, here we come! The beach itself is perfect for boogie boarding, making sand castles and watching surfers. Newport Beach is also known for fantastic waterfront restaurants, fine dining and all around great seafood. It's kind of a California staple.

Seal Beach

Where it is: 20 miles west of Disneyland and approximately a 30 minute drive

Why we love it: Out of all of the beaches near Disneyland, this is one of the closest and least busy. If you're looking for a relaxing day at the beach without crowds, Seal Beach may just be the beach for you. There are darling shops and restaurants nearby and the beach seems to cater to young families with a playground and clean public bathrooms. It's also next to a nationally recognized active senior community, which means you don't get a lot of rough crowds.

Laguna Beach

Where it is: 25 miles south of Disneyland and approximately a 40 minute drive

Why we love it: It is so picturesque and there are so many areas that aren't crowded or commercial, but you're still close enough to a range of delicious restaurants and art festivals during the summer months. Laguna Beach is also known for its gorgeous cliffs, and perfect for families, clean bathrooms and playgrounds for the kids.

If you're planning your Disneyland vacation, don't miss your day (or two or three) at the beach! Plan enough time to "sea" them all if you can! If you really want a great beach experience, consider spending part of your Disneyland vacation at the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach, which is the only hotel on the area that has a pedestrian walkway straight to the sand. Or, make your vacation home base in Anaheim with our extra night free offers and take a couple of days trying out all of the beaches near Disneyland.

Book your Disneyland online or call any of our Disney experts at 855-GET-AWAY. We'd love to help you plan the perfect trip for your family!

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