Best Family Beaches Near Mission Viejo

Newport Coast · Beaches & Coast

Tide pools, a historic beach cottage district, and bluff trails. Time low tide and the kids will find crabs and anemones.

Dana Point · Beaches & Coast

Gentle waves, a grassy picnic lawn, and tide pools make this the classic easy beach day for families with little ones.

Newport Beach · Beaches & Coast

Soft sand framed by rocky jetties and tide pools, with fire rings for a sunset cookout. One of OC's prettiest family beaches.

Laguna Beach · Beaches & Coast

Clifftop gardens above protected coves with some of the most accessible tide pools in OC, plus a marine-life refuge.

Free (paid street parking)

Dana Point · Beaches & Coast

A grassy bluff-top park rolls down to a wide surf beach with tide pools — great for kite-flying, boogie boards, and picnics.

Huntington Beach · Beaches & Coast

Walk the iconic pier to watch surfers, dig in the wide sand, and grab a bite at the bluff-top Pacific City shops.

Free (paid parking)

Laguna Beach · Beaches & Coast

Manicured bluff gardens and a ramp down to a gentle cove with rich tide pools — accessible, beautiful, and free to enjoy.

Free (paid garage)

Laguna Beach · Beaches & Coast

A flat, sandy cove with a creek mouth kids love to dam and splash in, plus fire rings and a playground steps from the water.

Dana Point · Beaches & Coast

A grassy bluff-top park rolls down to a wide surf beach with tide pools — great for kite-flying, boogie boards, and picnics.

Laguna Beach · Beaches & Coast

Clifftop gardens above protected coves with some of the most accessible tide pools in OC, plus a marine-life refuge.

Free (paid street parking)

Dana Point · Beaches & Coast

Gentle waves, a grassy picnic lawn, and tide pools make this the classic easy beach day for families with little ones.

Newport Coast · Beaches & Coast

Tide pools, a historic beach cottage district, and bluff trails. Time low tide and the kids will find crabs and anemones.

San Clemente · Beaches & Coast

A laid-back pier, a flat beachfront trail past the train tracks, and gentle sand — easy, free, and quintessentially SoCal.

Free (paid parking)

Newport Beach · Beaches & Coast

Soft sand framed by rocky jetties and tide pools, with fire rings for a sunset cookout. One of OC's prettiest family beaches.

Newport Beach · Beaches & Coast

Ride the tiny three-car ferry across the harbor, then stroll Marine Ave for frozen bananas and Balboa bars. A classic cheap thrill.

Newport Beach · Beaches & Coast

Watch the dory fishing fleet, walk the pier, and rent bikes or surreys along the boardwalk — quintessential easygoing beach-town fun.

Free (paid parking)

Huntington Beach · Beaches & Coast

Walk the iconic pier to watch surfers, dig in the wide sand, and grab a bite at the bluff-top Pacific City shops.

Free (paid parking)

Oceanside · Beaches & Coast

One of the longest wooden piers on the West Coast, great for strolling, fishing, and beach play below.

Free; food and rentals extra

Carlsbad · Beaches & Coast

Wide sandy beach with a seawall promenade, gentle surf, and tide pools at low tide.

Encinitas · Beaches & Coast

Family-favorite cove beach with lifeguards, a playground, volleyball, fire pits, and easy facilities.

Cardiff-by-the-Sea · Beaches & Coast

Mellow beach known for beginner surf, tide pools, and the famous "Cardiff Kook" statue nearby.

Redondo Beach · Beaches & Coast

Horseshoe-shaped pier with arcades, seafood, harbor boat rentals, and a small marina.

Free entry; paid parking

Hermosa Beach · Beaches & Coast

Lively beach with a long pier, The Strand bike path, and volleyball courts.

Free; metered/paid parking

Manhattan Beach · Beaches & Coast

Wide sandy beach with a walkable pier, the small Roundhouse Aquarium, and a family-friendly downtown.

Free; metered/paid parking

Del Mar · Beaches & Coast

Calm family beach next to a grassy bluff-top park with a playground and ocean views.

Free; metered parking

Marina del Rey · Beaches & Coast

Calm, lifeguarded harbor beach ideal for young kids, with kayak, paddleboard, and pedal-boat rentals.

Free; paid parking; rentals vary

Venice · Beaches & Coast

Famous oceanfront boardwalk with street performers, the skate park, Muscle Beach, and bike paths.

Free; paid parking

La Jolla · Beaches & Coast

Wide, gentle-surf beach ideal for young swimmers, sandcastles, kayaking, and beginner surfing.

San Diego · Beaches & Coast

Popular family beach with gentle surf, Crystal Pier, and a walkable boardwalk full of eateries.

San Diego · Beaches & Coast

Lively oceanfront boardwalk for biking, skating, and swimming along miles of sandy beach.

San Diego · Beaches & Coast

Laid-back beach with a wide sandy stretch and a long fishing pier (pier periodically closed for repairs).

San Diego · Beaches & Coast

Dramatic Point Loma sea cliffs famous for tide pools, sunset views, and coastal walking paths.

Malibu · Beaches & Coast

Protected lagoon and bird estuary beside a classic surf beach with boardwalk nature trails.

Coronado · Beaches & Coast

Wide, sparkling-sand beach beside the iconic Hotel del Coronado, great for swimming and sandcastles.

Free (paid parking)

Malibu · Beaches & Coast

Scenic Malibu cove with a headland trail, tide pools, and seasonal whale and sea-lion viewing.

Oxnard · Beaches & Coast

A calm harbor with surrey and bike rentals, a Sunday farmers market, a maritime museum, and easy waterfront paths — laid-back coastal fun away from big surf.

Free; rentals & farmers market extra

Ventura · Beaches & Coast

California's longest wooden pier sits beside a beachfront promenade with a playground, wide sand, and Channel Islands views — easy, breezy, classic beach-town fun.

Free; paid parking nearby