Boardwalk

Question

Hello kind folks!

I’m not sure if I’m just not searching correctly but I’m having trouble finding a boardwalk/pier area with several shops, food etc. is there a good one between San Diego and Anaheim? Most I’ve found are pretty and for fishing, nature watching etc but my mother is wanting shops too so I’m trying to find that for her. Oh and I’m trying to avoid the one in San Diego with the amusement park. Thank you!

Answer

If you’re looking for a boardwalk or pier area with shops and food between San Diego and Anaheim, there are several options along the Southern California coast that offer more of a shopping and casual dining experience rather than just nature or fishing.

Some recommended stops include:

Encinitas / Moonlight Beach area: While primarily known for its beach and surf, the downtown Encinitas area has boutique shops, cafes, and restaurants close to the beach. The pier itself has a few shops and casual eateries.
Carlsbad Village: A charming coastal town with a main street filled with shops, galleries, and restaurants. The nearby beach area has a pier with some food options, giving a boardwalk vibe without a full amusement park.
Huntington Beach / Huntington Beach Pier: Known as “Surf City USA,” the pier area is lined with restaurants, cafes, surf shops, and casual boutiques. It has more of a classic Southern California boardwalk feel, and you can stroll the main street for additional shopping.
Newport Beach / Balboa Pier & Balboa Village: Balboa Village on the Balboa Peninsula offers a mix of shops, eateries, and ice cream parlors along a pier-like promenade. It has a relaxed vibe, plenty of shopping, and food without the amusement park atmosphere.

Other tips:

Most of these piers are free to visit and offer casual dining. Parking can be busy, so consider arriving earlier in the day.
For a balance of shopping and walking along the water, Huntington Beach Pier and Newport Beach Balboa Village are probably the closest to a classic boardwalk experience with shops and food.
If your priority is purely shopping and dining, skip the small fishing piers along the route and focus on towns like Carlsbad, Huntington Beach, and Newport Beach.

Overall, traveling the coast between San Diego and Anaheim gives you plenty of options to satisfy both scenic beach walks and shopping/food experiences, just avoid the San Diego amusement park area if that’s not your preference.

Boardwalk

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