Which is better, Laguna Beach or Newport Beach?

Question

I want oceanside shops and nice sand to lay on

Answer 1

I hope your question is not motivated by those stupid MTV "reality" programs.  Of the two choices,  Laguna Beach has the better beach. Newport Beach is mostly marinas where boats are docked.

Answer 2

Two different kinds of places, Newport is big stores and very expensive, Laguna Beach is small boutiques and lots of good sand in protected coves. Surf is good.

Answer 3

Two very different places.  Beach-wise, Newport is better, with several miles of continuous Beach. and fairly easy parking access (if you're there early)  But it's mostly houses, with two small areas (Balboa Pier and Newport Pier) of cheezy tourist shops (unless you go to Fashion Island, but that's not really at the beach).  Newport also has the FunZone, the ferry, and Balboa Island (which is more like Laguna)

Laguna, on the other hand, has several miles of shops, with everything from touristy t-shirts to high-end art galleries and haute-couture boutiques.  But beach-wise, it's mostly  rocky cliffs.  Main Beach, where Laguna Canyon Rd intersects PCH is maybe 3 blocks long, and is packed shoulder to shoulder on a sunny summer weekend.  Other than that, there are half a dozen secluded coves - typically it's a several block hike to find parking, then a climb down 300 rickety steps to a beach half the size of footbal field -- great if you want seclusion, but not if you want to see and be seen :D

Ignore PeedlePup -- apparently he gets his information from (bad) reality TV shows.  While it's true that there are alot of boats in Newport Harbor (it's the largest small-craft marina in the country!), it's also got significantly more beachline than any other city in Orange County.  There are over 4 miles of continuous beach from the river jetty  to the Wedge, plus several small beaches on the bay side of the penninsula, plus the small beaches ringing Balboa Island, plus the two beaches at Corona Del Mar.  Probably 5 miles of beach, altogether.

Answer 4

My mom lives in Newport beach. Its a little more conservative then the  artsy Laguna beach. It depends on your personality. Besides they are just a minutes drive from eachother.

Answer 5

Laguna has much prettier coves and rock formations. And the water is really clear. Try Cresent Bay.

Best of Luck to You!

jana

http://www.summerhouseliving.com

Answer 6

Laguna Beach has several coves to chose from, and then walking along the nearby streets there are lots of cool art stores and shops.