Help needed! Where to stay on beach between LA and SD
 

Hello everyone!
Heading over to the USA this summer with family and looking for some reccomendations as to where to stay on the beach south of LA, after a 10 day trip out to LV, GC,MV and then back on route 66.

Ideally want somewhere ON the bach but willing to be inland a bit if there is a better beach nearby that doesnt have direct access.

Looking for somewhere that has that unique SoCal vibe with plenty of places to eat, shop and with a chilled out feel.

Was thinking along the lines of Huntingdon or Balboa, but really, really want to hear any reccomendations from you local guys.

Specific Hotels suggestions also gratefully received.

Will be in the USA from mid July to 2nd week of August so if there are any Porsche related events happening that i should know about, please tell me.

Many thanks in advance!

This is difficult to answer without knowing your budget.

Mid-Range:

If you are in the mid-range ($250 per night) the Waterfront Beach Hilton or the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach are great spots. Huntington Beach will certainly give you the unique CA feel, and the downtown went through a significant gentrification in the early 2000's. From both these hotels you can walk to the restaurants on the pier and on Main St. The beach is still the most popular surfing location in the state.

The Hyatt Regency in Newport Beach is good too ($200-$250). A little too far to walk to the beach, but they have shuttles to Balboa Island and The Pavilion out on the Peninsula. Newport is a more posh city, with a lot of pretentious people and higher-end restaurants, but is also a very CA feel.


Higher-End:

If you're into the higher end ($500 per night), and maybe you want to golf, The Resort at Pelican Hill is AWESOME. The beach is a rocky shoreline and a lot less crowded. The resort is self contained, with spa, bars, and one of the best golf courses in CA.

The Surf and Sand Resort in Laguna Beach ($350 per night) is a favorite of my wife and I. Its a smaller hotel right on the beach, and most of the rooms look right onto the waves, fireplaces, with spotlights on the waves at night. Laguna Beach is a more artsy city with galleries and shops, and VERY walkable. From the Surf and sand you can walk to literally dozens of restaurants. It's a much more picturesque coastline, with rocky outcrops and sandy coves. Downtown Laguna has basketball court on the beach that can have pro players in pick-up games on any given day.

Lower-End:

San Clemente is the king of "chilled-out feel". It would also be my place if I was on a shorter budget ($100-$200 per night). There are several decent motels just off the 5 freeway, but walking distance to downtown and about a mile to the beach and pier. The beach is super family friendly and the pier has a great place for fairly priced seafood or burgers. One of my favorite restaurants ever is on the main drag in San Clemente, Sonny's Italian (you can't be afraid of garlic). The serve a house chianti in a decanter for $10 that is great, and they have a super outdoor eating area.

Five star Ritz Dana Point is truly a world class hotel and location.

https://www.reservations.com/hotel/the-ritz-carlton-laguna-niguel?rmcid=dsa&gclid=Cj0KCQiA1NbhBRCBARIsAKOTmUs RRy5fejfojkOdclUNlXjDSvp-1Z_-ZnaN41VfuF2IGlHzoTrvpS8aAvZWEALw_wcB

Budget friendly Oceanside CA has a few smaller hotels along the beach as does Carlsbad area.

In Huntington Beach mid priced hotels downtown and a few on PCH are worth checking into.

Post a nightly range and we could help you narrow it down.

The Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel and Monarch Beach Resort are both fantastic hotels, but both will be $750-$1,200 per night during his Jul-Aug timeframe, and neither has the "chilled out feel" he's looking for. Also, the Ritz is not walking distance to restaurants and activities. It's pretty much a self-contained resort.

^^^^If you can afford it, do the Ritz at Dana Point (I used points for a recent stay :D) and ask for a room on the ocean side. Really, really nice.

If your budget is lower and you want to do San Diego, there is a Hilton on Mission Bay. Being on the bay means warmer water. California ocean water is chilly (15-17C). And you can do day trips to Coronado.


Alternative - Stay at the Hotel Del Coronado. Very historic and was where "Some like it hot" was filmed. The Coronado beach is very nice and Coronado is walk-able.

+1 If you want to go that far south. I've had some great times at the Hotel Del Coronado. Totally chilled out beach scene down there.

Be sure to check out Air BnB and VRBO in the area you are looking. You might find a house or condo that suits your needs with more relaxed amenities.

Another good one is Shutters On The Beach in Santa Monica. Beach and promenade out your front door, jogging/bike path that goes for miles, people watching, close to 3rd Street Promenade so lots of bars and restaurants, bike rentals and close to LAX for the flight home.
https://www.shuttersonthebeach.com/

There are so many, but Del Coronado is right on the beach. I really like Del Mar, and San Clemente only because they are a little quieter (just a little). that entire stretch is really nice from Newport Beach to Del Mar. You just have to pick a spot. They all have really nice restaurants and plenty to do.

Beach Terrace Inn in Carlsbad.

A few years ago we took the kids to LEGOLAND (in Carlsbad, which is just north of SD). We stayed at this place and had a great time. On the ocean. Walking distance to downtown Carlsbad, with its shops and restaurants.

Can also look up the Four Sisters Inn. A collection of bed and breakfast type inns all throughout the California Coast (and a couple other places. too). We stayed in the one in Dana Point and had a great time.

https://www.airbnb.com/s/laguna-beach/homes?adults=2&children=2&checkin=2019-06-11&checkout=2019-06-14&refinement_paths%5B%5D=%2Fhomes&allow_override% 5B%5D=&s_tag=4okV7lZO

Check out the areas the locals here have mentioned.

I use ABNB all the time.

Whenever this subject comes up I mention Laguna Beach. You said local vibes. That's where many locals go. All the coast is good, just some better.

We walk around on the beach right at the Montage Laguna Beach from time to time. Looks like it might be a nice place to stay. Laguna Beach has free shuttles to get you around easily, with a stop right out in front of the Montage.

https://www.montagehotels.com/lagunabeach/?utm_source=TripAdvisor&utm_campaign=Hotel%20Websi te&utm_medium=Business%20Listing

We stayed here and had a great time. One day for lunch we ordered hamburgers while laying under an umbrella on the beach. Perfect lunch.

Crystal Cove State park cottages if you want the beach. Everything else is just another hotel.
http://www.crystalcovestatepark.org/

Many many thanks to everyone who took the time to reply, its very much appreciated.

San Clemente is looking promising, but if we wanted to be closer to LA what would your suggestion?

Thanks in advance.

:D

Huntington Beach would be my choice. I watched them build a new hotel the past two years and it's open now. Forget the name but it looks pretty nice. Surf City USA is California vibe at its best.
Check out Huntington Beach Live Cameras for a live look at the pier and beach.

The link I posted is probably the closest to L.A. and the airport. Not sure if you're thinking of sightseeing around L.A. But if it were me, I'd spend my time at the beach.

Shutters By The Sea is really nice Craig. My wife held HR conferences there. I always joined her. One time I had my roadbike on my roof rack and parked in the front to run in real quick to grab my gloves. The valet guy asked for the key in case he had to move it. When I ran back out two minutes later, the car was gone and I heard a SCREEEECH! He drove the car into the parking structure and ripped the bike and rack off my E320. Broke the bike frame and fork, and ripped the rack tracks out of the car roof. $7,000 damage in total. They sent me to Helen's Cycles with a blank check and referred me to a body shop.. No questions asked and never got a bill. Unbelievably classy place.