Which beach for one day and night?

Question

Hello! My husband and I with 2 of our kids fly into Long Beach airport on a Friday. I’m looking for a beach area we could stay the night and spend the day around the beach, before driving to Anaheim that Saturday night. We have a hotel in Anaheim for the rest of the trip. Bonus if the beach is close to a mall (with brandy melville store, per my daughter lol)

Or are we better off just going straight to Anaheim and doing a day trip to the beach that Saturday? It’s hard to tell how much time to allow between the towns.

I wondered about Balboa/Newport Beach area, but not seeing much lodging around there. Laguna beach seems a little far south.

Thinking we will uber rather than rent a car, as we won’t need a car once in Anaheim.

Any recommendations are appreciated- thanks!

Answer

For a one-day beach visit with your family flying into Long Beach, you have several good options that balance beach access, family-friendliness, and nearby amenities for shopping and dining.

Staying near the beach for one night can be convenient, but keep in mind that lodging in prime beach areas like Balboa Island/Newport Beach is limited and can be pricey, especially for a Friday night. If you prefer not to stress about finding a hotel, driving straight to Anaheim and doing a beach day trip on Saturday is also very doable.

Here are some beach areas to consider:

Newport Beach/Balboa Peninsula: This area has a nice family-friendly beach, boardwalk, and plenty of restaurants. Lodging options include small boutique hotels or vacation rentals near the water. Balboa Fun Zone offers entertainment for kids. It’s about a 45–50 minute drive from Long Beach Airport. For shopping, Fashion Island in Newport Beach has a range of stores, including Brandy Melville.
Huntington Beach: Known as “Surf City USA,” Huntington Beach has a long sandy beach with bike paths, pier, and casual eateries. There are some hotels within walking distance of the beach. The distance from Long Beach Airport is roughly 35–40 minutes. The Bella Terra shopping center has a Brandy Melville store.
Seal Beach: Quieter and smaller than Newport or Huntington, Seal Beach is ideal if you prefer a more relaxed atmosphere. Lodging is limited, but there are some boutique hotels and vacation rentals. It’s closer to Long Beach Airport (about 15–20 minutes).

If you prefer convenience and less hassle with luggage, you could:

Uber straight to Anaheim after your Long Beach arrival, then do a beach day on Saturday. Driving to the coast from Anaheim typically takes 25–45 minutes depending on the beach and traffic.
If your daughter wants Brandy Melville shopping, combining Newport Beach (beach day) with Fashion Island (shopping) is ideal for Saturday before heading to Anaheim for your hotel stay.

Overall, for a stress-free experience with a mix of beach and shopping, Huntington Beach or Newport Beach are the best options. Seal Beach works if you want quiet, but shopping options are limited.