Balboa Pier and Peninsula Park  in Newport Beach make me think of the good ‘ole days at the beach.  There are always families wandering around the shops and restaurants, kids riding bikes, and tourists visiting from out of town.  On the summer day we visited, Junior Lifeguards were there, in force.

Location: There are two piers on the Newport Peninsula: the Newport Pier and the Balboa Pier. The Balboa Pier is the furthest towards the end of the Peninsula.  From Interstate 405, take the 55 Freeway towards the beach and it will take you right onto the peninsula on Newport Blvd. (eventually turning into Balboa Blvd.).  You’ll travel past all the numbered streets to the lettered streets. Get there early to get a spot in the lots off Palm Street or B Street (turn right to get to the lots). Pay at the machines by the hour or by the day.  MAP TO BALBOA PIER AND PENINSULA PARK IN NEWPORT BEACH

Highlights:

• Lots to do here besides the beach and playground!
• Playground is on the sand at the base of the pier
• My kids loved the big spiderweb climber
• Huge bank of swings!
• Play equipment appropriate for 5-12 year olds
• Peninsula Park has a huge lawn area appropriate for kite flying or soccer games, plus gazebo for bands or entertainment
• Balboa Fun Zone
• Ride bikes on the Newport Balboa Bike Trail along the peninsula
• Take the Balboa Ferry to Balboa Island for a stroll
• Eat at the original Ruby’s on the pier

Be Aware:

• The Peninsula can get extremely busy on weekends and holidays, especially because there’s only one way out (back the way you came)!
• Get there early to grab a parking spot and stay for the whole day.
• The beach can have big waves and I noticed a pretty sizeable drop-off (where it gets deep very fast on the south side of the pier). However, the north side looked good. I always talk to the lifeguards before I take a dip at a new beach, they always seem happy to give me pointers on any hazards BEFORE I get in!
• Fee for parking

Checklist:

• Parking in dedicated lots ($1.50 per hour with a max of $15.00/day). Click here for parking info from Newport Beach.
• Play surface: Sand
• Restrooms right next door to the playground
• Nice to have lifeguards nearby in summer, in case a need for first aid arises
• Picnic on the beach or find a nearby restaurant
• Bring bikes if you want to ride the trail (also available to rent)
• Fire rings available from 6am-10pm on first-come, first-serve basis (consult NB beaches page for details)
• Official Newport Beach website
• Nearest public library branch: Balboa Branch of the Newport Beach Public Library system

Nearby parks:

• 38th Street Park
• Newport Island Park
• Irvine Terrace Park

*Added to KaBOOM.org as part of their 2011 Park-A-Day Summer Challenge

Baby Beach in Dana Point Harbor is near The Ocean Institute. I’ve never been to the beach because I’ve heard negative info about water quality in this part of the harbor.  However, I also haven’t done any research to debunk that hearsay.   The best thing to do is consult OCBeachInfo.com where they post closures and warnings. There’s even a phone number to call for recorded information (714-433-6400).  (Google Maps calls this area “Dana Cove Park.”)

Location:  I get to Dana Point Harbor from all sorts of directions (Moulton to Golden Lantern, Crown Valley Parkway to Pacific Coast Highway (PCH), I-5 to PCH).  Look at the map to see what makes the most sense for you.  Taking the “Beach Cities” exit off Interstate 5 takes you right to the pedestrian bridge over PCH.  Turn left onto Dana Point Harbor Drive and wind past Doheny Beach and the main shops at the Harbor.  Keep driving past Golden Lantern and turn into the parking area right before Cove Road. (If you get to The Ocean Institute, you’ve gone too far.)  MAP TO BABY BEACH IN DANA POINT HARBOR

Recommended by: Cory (her comments in italics)

Highlights:

• CALM water (very little movement, no waves)
• Lifeguard on duty during the summer
• Beach and grass areas are within a few yards of the two parking lots (not a long or steep haul with the kids and all your beach “goodies”)
• Free parking
• Right next to The Ocean Institute that has a cool “pirate ship” right there for all to see (The Ocean Institute is open to the public on the weekends.)
• The crowd was all moms, babies, families, and young kids.
• I love walking around this harbor!

Be Aware:

• It’s in a harbor, so don’t expect a beautiful white sand beach and clear blue waters.
• Also, no food/drink or sundry options nearby, so BYO-everything.
• I think this rarely happens, but I know a family who visited this beach only to have the lifeguards close it around 11:30am due to water quality.  (Lantern Bay Park might be a good Plan B if this happens.)
• This place gets busier as the day goes on, so arrive earlier for less hassle. (Picnic areas, especially, fill up early!
• Remember, the weather at the beach can be very different than inland.  Don’t be surprised to find fog or a chilly ocean breeze (although it’s a more protected area inside the harbor than on outside beaches).
• As you stand facing the water, you’ll see cones on the beach to your far left.  This is where kayaks and paddle boards launch into the Harbor, so don’t put your beach blanket inside the cones.

Checklist:

• Pretty good parking availability (Dana Point Harbor has a parking map available in PDF for download. Baby Beach is marked on their map.)
• Nearby grassy area
• Picnic tables under a shade covering
• Restrooms were right next to the beach (between the picnic areas)
• Surfline tide and surf report for South Orange County
• An active reader, Elizabeth, pointed out that HEAL THE BAY Beach Report Card is the best website to learn about water quality over time.
• OCBeachInfo.com (714-433-6400) for closures and warnings due to water quality issues.
• Official City of Dana Point website with links to the beaches
• Nearest public library branch: Dana Point Public Library

Nearby parks:

• Lantern Bay Park
• Dana Point Headlands Nature Interpretive Center
• Doheny State Beach (by Bus)
• Shipwreck Park

*Added to KaBOOM.org as part of their 2011 Park-A-Day Summer Challenge

Playtime need not be limited to the playground. The day we took a leisurely family stroll on the San Clemente Pier was a perfect reminder.

Location: Head towards San Clemente and exit I-5 at Avenida Palizada.  Turn south onto El Camino Real (the main street that parallels the freeway). Turn right onto Avenida del Mar and follow it all the way down to just before the pier.  Parking is on your right. MAP TO SAN CLEMENTE PIER

Looking north, you can see the Dana Point Headlands.

Highlights:

• It’s a long walk for short toddler legs.  Let them go slow and explore.
• We talked about: the weather (which way the wind was blowing the clouds), the physical geography of the coast (how far we could see in all directions), the ocean (tides, waves, and beach shape).
• We looked through the slats in between the boards to see if we could see the ocean below.  Also, look for mussels, barnacles, and starfish on the pier.
• We stood at the railing and just watched the birds and listened to the waves.
• We discussed the differences in all the pigeons we saw (coloration, behavior, sounds).
• We watched the surfers and imagined how cold that water must be!
• We talked about the job of a lifeguard and looked at all their equipment. There’s a tower on the pier and their Jeep was parked outside.
• There’s a little tackle shop / gift shop at the end of the pier that serves hot chocolate and chowder, but there’s no seating except for the few benches at the end of the pier.
• We ate at the larger Fisherman’s Seafood Restaurant at the base of the pier because we were cold and hungry. I had an awesome cup of clam chowder and the kids shared a good-size burger.  They have a Sunset Hour/Happy Hour with daily specials on M-F from 4pm-7pm.
• Watch the trains go by!
• Have a picnic on the beach. Watch the sunset.

Looking south towards Trestles

Be Aware:

• I wouldn’t go barefoot on the pier itself. There’s a possibility of a run-in with splinters, fish hooks, bird droppings, and bait.
• Bring a jacket/windbreaker. You can’t tell from the photos, but the wind was howling and we were cold.
• There is spacing at the railings, so stay close to your littlest ones. Hold hands (if you can) or just use the stroller if you are too nervous. I swear the beach has a calming effect on kids. They can’t go further than the end of the pier and you can get a workout keeping up with them.
• The pier can be busy on weekends and during festivals on Avenida del Mar.
• Watch your kids around the train tracks!

Checklist:

• Parking is near the pier in a pay lot ($1.50/hour).  Just walk down the hill where you will cross the railroad tracks. They were doing construction on the tunnel that goes under the tracks.
• There’s a Metrolink stop here, so consider taking the train!
• Restroom buildings at the base of the pier.
• Beach first aid from lifeguards.

Consider making a day of it with these nearby parks, beaches and playgrounds:

• You are in walking distance to Linda Lane Park (north on the trail)
• Go on the swings at the beach
• Play in the sand
• Drive down to Trestles or Califia
• Start up at North Beach and walk the trail to arrive at the pier for lunch

Or . . . meet a San Diego friend at the pier for an EARLY morning walk on the trail. Here’s what it looks like at sunrise:

I’m a beach baby. A California girl.  And now I have proof (see photo above)!  My parents just scanned a huge stack of our old photos and I’m LOVING all the play memories and looking back on all our family fun.  Wow! I’ve had such a great life.  Thanks, Mom and Dad!

So this weekend, I’m escaping from the normal grind. My plan is to unplug and Be Out There!  There are 3 things on my list that I hope every family gets a chance to do this weekend:

1. Experience a sunset - Notice that I didn’t write “see a sunset.” I mean really appreciate it in all its amazing beauty.

2. Take a family stroll – Sooooo simple. Just take a little walk. It can be around the block or at the beach. No need to make it a big production.  Take notice of the world around you. Even bring a magnifying glass for the kids to check out things along the way. Don’t rush. It’s a stroll, not a hike!

3. Eat outside – A lunch picnic, a dinner picnic, snacking at a Farmer’s Market, a family barbecue, or even outdoor seating at a restaurant!  I like to bring our breakfast outdoors.

See you outside!

Heisler Park in Laguna Beach feels like a tropical paradise to me. I love bringing out-of-town guests to enjoy the views from the top of the bluff or walk down to the beach areas for tidepooling or wading.

Location: Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) is the main street running through Laguna Beach. I usually park on Cliff Drive between Aster and Jasmine Streets and follow the path down to the smaller beaches from there.  If you enter Cliff Drive from Myrtle Street and head south, then you are heading the right way for parking at the meters and might have the best parking options. MAP TO HEISLER PARK IN LAGUNA BEACH

Highlights:

• The park is set up in a strip along a bluff top.  You can access the southernmost part of the park on foot from Main Beach – or park on Cliff Drive near Las Brisas and the Laguna Art Museum. Going north, there’s another access point to the beaches in the middle of the park around Jasmine Street.  Then go even further north and you’ll find a big grassy area with tons of picnic tables and a few grills oriented for sunset viewing.  The beach furthest north is nicknamed “Picnic Beach.” It’s the widest and largest.
• It feels like you’re on a tropical island
• When the water is calm, it’s beautiful for wading
• I’ve seen beginner surfers and snorkelers here
• Look further out to see pods of dolphins and an occasional whale
• Very close to the Laguna Art Museum and Las Brisas for sunset viewing
• You can access the north end of Main Beach and a longer strip of beach to the north if  you just continue walking along the pathways (see the satellite version of the map)

Be Aware:

• NO playground. The beach is your playground.
• Parking can be a pain. There are metered spaces all along Cliff Drive. Bring lots of quarters because it’s $2/hour – or some meters take credit cards.
• The bluff top is stroller-friendly, but not the beach. It’s definitely a long haul if you have little ones.
• People climb the rocks to get from one beach to the other, but it’s just as easy to go up and down the paths accessing the different beaches
• Watch the tides and the weather!
• The beach areas are an ecological reserve, so be very mindful of the wildlife in the tidepools and ocean. No collecting anything from the beaches. The signs lay it all out pretty clearly.
• Getting to (and parking in) Laguna Beach can involve lots of traffic and competition for spaces during the summer or special events. Have a “Plan B” in mind.
• There is construction going on in the middle of the park right now – so walking from end to end isn’t as easy as usual. Still, it didn’t affect our visit much.

Checklist:

• Parking in metered spaces ($2/hr)
• Play in the sand or just check out the views
• Showers at the bottom of the stairs
• 2 sets of restrooms (north and south) are at the top of the hill above the beaches
• Drinking fountains at the restroom buildings
• Benches throughout. Lots of picnic tables at the north end of the park. Grassy areas for picnics, too.
• Dogs allowed on leash during winter and NOT allowed during summer. See signage at the beach for specific dates.
• The big flat area in the middle of the park (that you see on the satellite map) is a private lawn bowling club.