Orange County Coast - Day or Night

There is plenty of fun in the sun to be had on Orange County’s coast – any time of day. Here are a few day and nighttime beach activities.

A Day At the Beach

Surfing

Orange County was the epicenter of the cultural surfing movement in the 60s and is where the "Endless Summer" took hold and its surfing culture is alive and well throughout OC. If you’re a novice to the sport it is a good idea to take a surfing lesson. Toes on the Nose, a surfing apparel company based in Orange County, is one of many companies that provides surf instruction by experienced and patient experts. 

Coastal Tours

The OC coastline is filled with a variety of marine life and areas and tide pools to explore. Bask in the sun as tour companies, such as OC Wildlife & Beach Tour, Inc., guide you along tide pool areas in this area also dubbed “California Riviera.” Take an ocean excursion and keep a look out for wildlife such as gray whales, dolphins and seals, sea lions on one of the many whale-watching and dolphin-watching excursions out of Dana Point or Newport Beach.

Beachside Shopping

It’s no secret that Orange County is the capital of the surfing industry with many of the retail heavyweights such as Quiksilver, Hurley, Billabong and Rusty to name a few. Take the time to step into the many surf shops near the beach and pick up a SoCal souvenir.

Beach Activities

There is a plethora of beach activities awaiting you at any one of OC's beach towns. The boardwalks of Laguna Beach, Newport Beach and Huntington Beach allow for boogie boarding, bicycle riding, running, rollerblading or simply a stroll to take in great views and people watching. Each beach town also has several volleyball nets (especially Huntington Beach) for that pick up game.

Buoyant Fun

Boats, boards, kayaks are all great ways to cruise the harbors. Rent a kayak and paddle in Newport Harbor or Dana Point Harbor. Or you can take up the latest water exercise craze – stand up paddling, which you can do in both harbors or out on the ocean. Newport Dunes is also a calm, family-friendly location to partake in these activities. Electric boats are also a less strenuous way to explore Newport Harbor and be captain of your own ship.

Nighttime at the Beach

Evening Bonfires

A beach bonfire in a cement fire ring is a time-honored tradition to California residents and visitors. Laguna Beach, Huntington Beach and Newport Beach all have cement pits but be warned, they get taken quickly, especially during the summer months. Roasting s’mores over a roaring fire, as the sun dips into the Pacific Ocean, is a perfect way to cap off a sun-filled day.

Sunset Dinner & Drinks

The vibrant colors of an OC sunset are amazing in and of themselves. It was, after all, an Orange County sunset that inspired John Van Hamersveld to create his iconic poster for the classic surfing movie, "The Endless Summer." As the sun sets over the Pacific, salute the “martini flag” raised outside the enchanting seaside Beachcomber Cafe or savor appetizers at the Rooftop Lounge at La Casa del Camino.

Pre-dawn Zen Breakfast

They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so take it to go or get a tasty American breakfast at the end of pier at a Ruby's diner. For an invigorating way to start your day head over to one of our beaches, feel the ocean breeze, hear the sounds of crashing waves and see dawn breaking over the nearby magestic Santa Ana Mountains. For a unique SoCal vantage point, head out to the end of the pier in Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, Seal Beach, San Clemente or Balboa.

What a Catch

Fishing can be done a myriad of ways in OC. From fishing off one of OC's piers before the sun rises or after the sun sets, to taking any all-day, half-day or twilight fishing excursions out of Dana Point Harbor and Newport Beach Harbor.

Walk the Walk

Take an evening stroll along the shoreline or take in historic Balboa's Fun Zone, an iconic seaside attraction since 1936. At the end of the fun zone is the classic Balboa Pavilion, once a bath house from 20s is now the centerpiece of harbor, where whale-watching and fishing excursions can be taken. Balboa Island a quiaint beach town is just across Newport Harbor. Take the auto ferry across the harbor and try a Balboa Bar, a sweet, only-in-OC, ice cream treat.