Best Beaches in Orange County
Picking the best beaches in Orange County isn’t easy. Many of the best beaches in Southern California are in between San Diego and Los Angeles. Orange County has both large sandy beaches and small cove beaches. They have piers, rock arches, and tide pools galore. Some well-known surf breaks are in OC too.
Our list of the best beaches in Orange County puts each beach into a category that it is associated with. Most of these beaches are good for many different things including sunbathing. Scroll to the bottom of the list to see our favorite beach in Orange County.
Best Surfing Beaches
Huntington City Beach
Trestles
The Wedge
San Onofre Surfing Beach
Seal Beach
Best Beginner Surf Spot
Best Bodyboarding Beach
Best Pier
San Clemente Pier Beach
See all the OC Piers
Best Tide Pools
Little Corona Del Mar Beach
See all the OC Tide Pools
Best Unique Beach Discovery
Mysterious Tower at Victoria Beach
Best Hidden Beach
Best Kid-Friendly Beaches
Best for Beach Walking
Best Rock Arch
The Keyhole at Pearl Street Beach
See all the Rock Arches
Best Beach Camping
Best Sunbathing Beach
Best Beach for Bonfires
Huntington State Beach
See all the OC Bonfire Beaches
Best Spot for Kayaking & SUP
North Star Beach on Newport Beach’s Back Bay
Best Dog-Friendly Beach
Huntington Dog Beach
See all the OC Dog-Friendly Beaches
Best Beach Bike Ride
Best Bird-Watching
Ecological Reserve at Bolsa Chica State Beach
Best Overall Orange County Beach!
Why is Laguna Beach Main Beach the best? Well it has so much to offer. It might not be the biggest or best at anything, but it has everything. Visitors can enjoy a diverse selection of restaurants nearby, plus lots of shopping options, and hotels if they are not from the area. Main Beach is a relatively safe place to play in the water as waves aren’t typically that big, but there are lifeguards on hand if someone needs help. Sports fanatics will find two courts behind the beach, volleyball courts on the sand, and room to toss a football or Frisbee at the water’s edge. Small kids have a playground to enjoy as well. Just to the north is Rockpile Beach where tidepools emerge when the water recedes. The wooden boardwalk behind Main Beach leads to Heisler Park, a well-landscaped bluff top park that is ideal for picnics. Want to enjoy a long walk on the beach? Just walk south and you have a mile of sand leading all the way to a rock arch known as The Keyhole at Pearl Street Beach.
Laguna Beach’s Main Beach
Below is our complete list of the best beaches in Orange County California.