hollywood tours from huntington beach

Dolphin & Whale Watching Tour

Quick Details

• Tag Tour Type: Beach
• Clock Duration: 9 hours
• Map Marker Location: Orange County

See the Best Beaches in Orange County

With daily pick-up locations throughout the Anaheim Resort, enjoy the ride in our comfortable tour vehicle with full driver narration!

The Dolphin & Whale Watching Tour allows you to stop in Laguna for a 10-minute photo stop in the morning before continuing on to Newport Beach! The Newport Beach stop is approximately 3 hours. You can explore, sightsee, shop, and enjoy your dolphin and whale excursion!

The excursion is done on a small 6 to 8-seater raft, ideal for adventurous parties who would like to see our local marine life up close! Tour our local coastline and see all our gorgeous ocean has to offer, close enough to touch it!

Then, when the cruiser comes around again, you reenter the tour and continue on to the real Surf City – USA, Huntington Beach, for an additional 3 hours! Visit the Surfing Museum, the Surfing Walk of Fame, walk down the Main Street Pier to Ruby’s diner, shop, or feel the beautiful white sand beach underfoot!

Enjoy an amazing day of great stops at the most fun and exciting places along our Orange County Coastline!

• Chevron down Huntington Beach
• Main Street and the Strand
• International Surf Museum
• Surfboard rentals, great shops, and restaurants
• Chevron down Newport Beach
• The Newport Pier
• Balboa Fun Zone
• Site locations for the show  The OC
• Your dolphin and whale excursion
• Chevron down Laguna Beach

Enjoy a photo stop on the cliffs above beautiful Laguna Beach.

Related Tours

• Most Popular Beach Tour
• Map Marker Orange County
• Clock 9 hours

The OC Beach Bus Tour + Whale Watching Option

See Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, and Huntington Beach, all in one great day on our woody-style beach bus!

Whale Watching Tour in Anaheim

Join us for a 2.5-hour and whale and dolphin watching excursion plus a 3-hour narrated tour of the Orange County beaches!

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• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

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What travelers are saying.

12 Great Beach Towns In Southern California

• SoCal offers diverse beach towns, from artistic Laguna Beach to upscale Malibu, catering to every traveler's desires.
• Popular attractions in Southern California beach towns include surfing hot spots, vibrant art scenes, and stunning coastal views.
• Visitors can also enjoy outdoor adventures like hiking and snorkeling in Southern California's beach towns.

Southern California is known for its beautiful beaches and laid-back vibes, but SoCal beach towns offer more than just sand, sun, and perennially perfect weather. Renowned for surfing hotspots, chic boutique shopping, the music and art scene, dining, and outdoor adventure, there is something every type of traveler can enjoy when visiting Southern California, whether it's on or off the sand. Southern California even has lots of beautiful hiking trails , many of which offer ocean views.

With hundreds of miles of coastline, there are countless coastal beach towns in California to explore in this part of the state, as well as bigger bustling seaside cities famed worldwide. From San Diego to Orange County to LA, here are some of the best beach towns in Southern California for visitors seeking sun, sand, and sublime town centers with beachy vibes and plenty to do.

UPDATE: 2024/03/10 07:27 EST BY JAIMEE TERESE

More of the Best Southern California Beach Towns

With hundreds of miles of sun-drenched shores and iconic palm tree-lined streets, Southern California is home to some of the best beaches in the country (and arguably, the world). From glamorous LA beach towns like Manhattan Beach to surf-centric Southern California coastal towns like San Clemente, it's easy to see what all the hype is about. This list has been updated with more of the best beach towns in Southern California to add to the Golden State itinerary.

7 Places In The US To Live For Year-Round Beaches

Laguna beach, a unique coastal enclave with a distinctive artsy vibe.

Located in Orange County, Laguna Beach perfectly embodies California's artistic free spirit. Whether visiting Laguna Beach on a budget or with tons of cash to splash, this coastal town offers something for everyone and is known for its pristine beaches, one-of-a-kind art galleries, and vibrant downtown area. Visitors can spend the day lounging on the beach, exploring one of the town's gorgeous hiking trails, or browsing Laguna Beach's art galleries and museums.

Laguna Beach is also home to the famous Pageant of the Masters, a unique theatrical production that brings famous works of art to life using live actors and sets. Outdoor lovers can find one of the best hiking spots in Southern California by visiting Laguna Beach's beautiful Crystal Cove State Park, and those daring enough can attempt to make it to Laguna Beach's hidden pools at Thousand Steps Beach .

• Popular Beaches in Laguna Beach: Main Beach, Crescent Bay Beach, Thousand Steps Beach, and Victoria Beach
• Top Attractions in Laguna Beach: Pacific Marine Mammal Center, The Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, The Laguna Art Museum, Heisler Park, and Crystal Cove State Park

It's easy to see why this beach town is called the jewel of San Diego

This beach town in San Diego County is known for its beautiful coastline, upscale shops and restaurants, and world-renowned Torrey Pines Golf Course. Visitors can stroll along the beachfront boardwalk, explore the charming downtown area, or take in the stunning views from the stunning cliffs at Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve.

La Jolla is also the perfect beach town in southern California for scenery and snorkeling , as its waters are filled with diverse and rich marine life. La Jolla has plenty of beaches with gentle, crystal-clear waters, which allow visitors to spend the entire day swimming, snorkeling, and scuba diving.

• Popular Beaches in La Jolla: La Jolla Cove, La Jolla Shores, Windansea Beach, and Children's Pool Beach
• Top Attractions in La Jolla: La Jolla Underwater Park, Sunny Jim Sea Cave, La Jolla Playhouse, Mount Soledad Veterans Memorial, Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, and Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve

Santa Monica

A bustling los angeles beach town known for its iconic pier.

Santa Monica is an iconic beach town in Los Angeles County, known for its famous Santa Monica Pier, which offers plenty of exciting things to do . In fact, many residents and tourists would claim this to be the best beach town in Southern California.

Visitors can ride the Ferris wheel on the pier, enjoy the deliciously fresh seafood offered along the boardwalk, or simply soak up the sun on the beach. Santa Monica's Third Street Promenade is only accessible to pedestrians and offers a wide range of unique shops, restaurants, and street performances.

Meanwhile, Palisades Park and Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area offer plenty of opportunities for hiking and outdoor adventure.

• Popular Beaches in Santa Monica: Santa Monica Beach, Santa Monica Pier Beach, and Will Rogers State Beach
• Top Attractions in Santa Monica: Santa Monica Pier, Third Street Promenade, Santa Monica Place, Palisades Park, and Santa Monica Museum of Art

This funky, friendly beach community will have visitors feeling right at home

Located in North County San Diego, Encinitas is one of the most beautiful beach towns in Southern California. It's also the perfect beach town for surfers, thanks to its rich surf culture, consistent waves, and variety of different breaks. After catching a few waves at Swami's Beach, visitors can check out the vintage memorabilia at Encinitas Surfboards.

Encinitas is a laid-back beach town with friendly vibes. The downtown shopping district is more than 100 years old and dotted with historic buildings that house an eclectic mix of shops and businesses. Don't miss the famous Encinitas Street Fair and the Encinitas Fall Festival - the area's local vendors, artists, musicians, and restaurants put their best work and food on display.

• Popular Beaches in Encinitas: Moonlight State Beach, Swami's Beach, Beacon's Beach, Stonesteps Beach, D Street Beach, Grandview Beach
• Top Attractions in Encinitas: Self-Realization Fellowship Hermitage and Meditation Gardens, San Diego Botanic Garden, and Encinitas Surfboards

Newport Beach

An upscale orange county beach town where surfers come to test their skills at the wedge.

Located in Orange County, Newport Beach is a lovely seaside city , primarily known for its beautiful harbor and upscale shops and restaurants. It is also another one of Southern California's beach towns perfect for surfing. At the Wedge, travelers will be greeted with massive waves that beckon surfers from around the globe to test their skills - sit back and enjoy the show, especially during the summer south swell season.

While visiting Newport Beach, visitors can enjoy a slew of water-based activities. Aside from surfing, Newport is great for kayaking, paddleboarding, and sailing, or simply just strolling along the harbor. Plus, retail enthusiasts should be sure to explore Fashion Island, a premier shopping destination that is home to a range of high-end shops.

• Popular Beaches in Newport Beach: River Jetties, Newport Municipal Beach, Balboa Beach, Crystal Cove, Corona Del Mar State Beach, Pirate's Cove
• Top Attractions in Newport Beach: Balboa Peninsula, Fashion Island, Balboa Fun Zone, and Newport Pier

The Wedge is a dangerous break suited for expert surfers only. Do not try to enter the water here as a novice.

7 Underrated But Scenic Alternatives To Popular US Beaches

A charming island offering a unique experience and some of san diego's most stunning beaches.

Located on San Diego Bay's peninsula, Coronado is also among the top beach towns in Southern California. It is considered a 'tied island' connected to the mainland only by a tiny strip of sand. Situated just 15 minutes from downtown San Diego, Coronado feels like a completely different world with its charming small-town feel.

It's home to the iconic Hotel del Coronado, which was one of the first commercial buildings to be completely lit by electricity. Built in the 1800s, it's a great place to grab a drink and watch the sunset even if not staying the night there.

Coronado is perhaps the most gorgeous beach in San Diego and also boasts an adorable downtown area. Just driving across the Coronado Bridge offers stunning views of the San Diego skyline and the bay, or hop on a ferry and enjoy a beautiful boat ride to the island. The waterfront village at the Coronado Ferry Landing is definitely worth visiting too.

• Popular Beaches in Coronado: Coronado Beach and Silver Strand State Beach
• Top Attractions in Coronado: Hotel del Coronado, Coronado Ferry Center, Coronado Municipal Golf Course, Gondola rides in the Coronado Cays, Orange Avenue

Huntington Beach

Forever vying for the title of surf city usa, its iconic pier is home to some of the best waves in socal.

Huntington Beach easily earns itself a place among the best beach towns in SoCal. It's a lively Orange County beach town known for its iconic pier, world-renowned surfing beaches, and vibrant nightlife. Visitors can catch a wave at one of the many surf spots along the beach, take a stroll along the pier, or go bar hopping in Huntington Beach's vibrant downtown area .

Travelers who are eager for the chance to go birdwatching in southern California should visit the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve, which is home to over 200 species. Join in on a free 'bird talk & nature walk' on the last Saturday of each month.

• Popular Beaches in Huntington Beach: Huntington State Beach, Bolsa Chica State Beach, and Dog Beach
• Top Attractions in Huntington Beach: Huntington Beach Pier, Pacific City, Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve, Old World Village, and Huntington Beach International Surfing Museum

Huntington Beach has long feuded with Santa Cruz over the title of 'Surf City USA', with both playing a key role in the history of surfing in California. Huntington Beach is home to numerous professional surfing events, including the annual US Open of Surfing in July.

A favorite among the Hollywood elite with an interesting juxtaposition of luxury and nature

Nestled in between the Santa Monica Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, Malibu is among the most scenic beach towns in Southern California and is particularly famous for its celebrity mansions, pristine beaches, and world-class surfing spots. Naturally, with both being so stunning, Malibu is often compared with Laguna Beach by those seeing a West Boast beach vacation , but both have their own perks.

Situated just a stone's throw from LA, Malibu is a favorite among the rich and famous. It's not uncommon to see Hollywood A-listers out in the line-up enjoying Malibu's fabled waves either. With its breathtaking coastal views and upscale dining and shopping options, Malibu offers a unique blend of natural beauty and luxury living. While it comes with a hefty price tag, Malibu is perfect for visitors looking for an unforgettable California vacation.

• Popular Beaches in Malibu: Zuma Beach, El Matador State Beach, Paradise Cove Beach, and Surfrider Beach
• Top Attractions in Malibu: Getty Villa, Point Dume, Malibu Pier, Adamson House, and the Malibu Lagoon Museum

10 Top-Rated Beach Hikes In California

The san diego beach town where "the surf meets the turf" thanks to both its beaches and its horse-racing.

Another one of Southern California's upscale beach towns is Del Mar, home to two miles of stunning beaches, the picturesque Del Mar Village, and the famous Del Mar Thoroughbred Club 'where the surf meets the turf'. A pillar of San Diego history, Bing Crosby welcomed the track's first guests back in 1937, and it has been hosting elite horse races every year ever since.

Along with enjoying an eventful day watching racing, visitors can also kick back on Del Mar's beautiful beaches or join in on a game of volleyball at the river mouth. Take a relaxing stroll along the area's charming boardwalks, or explore the Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve and an array of area hiking trails.

• Popular Beaches in Del Mar: Del Mar City Beach, Powerhouse Park Beach, Dog Beach, and North Beach
• Popular Spots to Visit: Del Mar Racetrack, Del Mar Village, Seagrove Park, and Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve

Manhattan Beach

The 'pearl of the south bay' is regarded as the birthplace of beach volleyball.

Manhattan Beach is considered one of the trendiest beaches to visit in Los Angeles in the summer ; it's a hipster beach town in Los Angeles County that is known for its world-renowned volleyball tournament: the Manhattan Beach Open.

Visitors who aren't quite up for professional beach volleyball can still enjoy a few games on one of Manhattan Beach's famous sand courts or simply stroll along the Strand, a paved walking and biking path found along this town's beachfront.

This glitzy LA beach town is a lively area full of trendy drinking and dining options, boutique shopping, and a great pier and oceanfront boardwalk. Despite its proximity to the city, Manhattan Beach is also known for its safety and cleanliness.

• Popular Beaches in Manhattan Beach: Manhattan Beach Pier and Beach, El Porto Beach, Bruce's Beach, and Manhattan Beach State Beach
• Top Attractions in Manhattan Beach: Manhattan Beach Pier, the Strand, the Roundhouse Aquarium, and Manhattan Beach Botanical Garden

San Clemente

A true southern california surfing town with some of the state's best waves.

This quintessential beach town in southern Orange County is all about sand, sun, surf, and seafood. One of the most scenic stops on Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner , this dreamy SoCal town also boasts easy accessibility. Local life is centered around the iconic San Clemente Pier, where visitors can cast a line or just sit back and indulge at Fisherman's Restaurant & Oyster Bar.

One of the top surfing destinations in California, San Clemente has been a breeding ground for a string of successful professional surfers. Despite the top-notch waves that host various professional surfing events, there are beginner-friendly options too. Take a lesson with one of the local surfing schools for a safe and fun experience in the water.

• Popular Beaches in San Clemente : T-Street Beach, San Clemente State Beach, San Onofre State Beach, Trestles Beach
• Top Attractions in San Clemente : San Clemente Pier, Surfing Heritage and Culture Center, Casa Romantica Cultural Center & Gardens, San Clemente Coastal Trail

Santa Barbara

A classy beach community with mediterranean vibes.

Even though Santa Barbara is technically located along the Central Coast, it is considered to be the northernmost point of Southern California. Comprised of over 100 miles of pristine shoreline, it has been dubbed the 'American Riviera' thanks to its spectacular scenery, charming seaside resorts, Mediterranean climate, and distinctive Spanish architecture that dots the downtown.

There are tons of things to see and do in beachy Santa Barbara besides soaking up the rays. Explore traditional Spanish missions, spend a day at the zoo, or visit Lotusland - renowned as one of the world's best gardens . Plus, as one of the most expensive cities in California , there is no shortage of upscale boutique shopping and excellent dining.

• Popular Beaches in Santa Barbara : Arroyo Burro Beach, Butterfly Beach, East Beach, Goleta Beach Park, Haskell's Beach, Thousand Steps Beach, Leadbetter Beach, Rincon Beach Park
• Top Attractions in Santa Barbara : Lotusland, Old Mission Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara Maritime Museum, Santa Barbara Museum of Art, MOXI, wine tasting, trolley tours

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Sports | Mr Fisk wins Hollywood Gold Cup before…

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Sports | Mr Fisk wins Hollywood Gold Cup before ‘minor’ injury

The colt is vanned off the santa anita track after leading a 1-2 finish for bob baffert.

Mr Fisk and jockey Kazushi Kimura defeated Reincarnate and Juan Hernandez by 2 1/4 lengths to make it an all-Baffert exacta in the $200,000, Grade II race for some of the best horses in the California handicap division.

But Mr Fisk didn’t make it back for the winner’s-circle photo. Kimura pulled up Mr Fisk as they galloped out on the clubhouse turn, and dismounted. The 4-year-old colt was vanned back to Baffert’s barn for examination.

Baffert said the injury “sounds minor,” and the vanning-off was about “being cautious.”

“(Kimura) said it’s nothing major, but he (the horse) was a little bit (off). Hopefully it’s a foot or something like that,” Baffert said in the minutes after the race, one of Southern California’s historic thoroughbred events.

“It’s too bad. We’re all excited watching him win. My horses ran great, 1-2 like that. I’m proud of them both. It’s too bad we can’t celebrate in the winner’s circle, but the horse looks like he is going to be fine. That’s the good news.”

The Gold Cup, run for the 86th time and the 11th at Santa Anita following the closure of Hollywood Park, is the third major race that Baffert has won 10 or more times, joining the Los Alamitos (formerly Hollywood) Futurity (11 times) and the Del Mar Futurity (10).

Mr Fisk, trying 1 1/4 miles for the first time after winning the 1 1/8-mile Californian in April, paid $7 as a slight favorite over Judge Miller, who finished third ahead of Subsanador, Mixto, Arrowthegreat and Oviatt Class.

The time, 2:03.01, was the slowest for a Gold Cup held at Santa Anita.

Reincarnate took the early lead from Subsanador, the Argentine-bred who lost a photo to Baffert-trained Newgate in the Santa Anita Handicap in March. Judge Miller, a front-running runnerup in the Californian, was third on the backstretch this time. Mr Fisk was fourth along the rail, waiting for room behind his stablemate.

Kimura tipped Mr Fisk outside of Reincarnate in the stretch, pulled even with a furlong to go and looked inevitable from there.

“I knew they weren’t going very fast, and he (Mr Fisk) was in a good spot. Reincarnate, when he gets a lead, he’s tough,” Baffert said of the 4-year-old whose last win came wire-to-wire in 2023 Los Alamitos Derby. “He (Reincarnate) showed up.”

Mr Fisk’s fifth victory in 11 starts lifted his career earnings to $369,700 for for Sunny Brook Stables, which bred and owns the son of Arrogate.

In other Memorial Day races at Santa Anita:

• Anisette made her 4-year-old debut and scored her third Grade I victory under Umberto Rispoli, reeling in lone frontrunner Ruby Nell and outclassing Olivia Maralda by one-half length in the $300,000 Gamely Stakes on turf.

The Great Britain-bred hadn’t started since winning the Grade I American Oaks at Santa Anita in December.

“I could see that Umberto was biding his time and had a lot of confidence in her, ” trainer Leonard Powell said. “At the quarter pole, I said, ‘Wow, she’s the champion.’”

• Rispoli completed the first Grade I double of his career by riding Johannes to a one-half-length victory over frontrunner Funtastic Again in the $300,000 Shoemaker Mile on grass.

Johannes was 0 for 3 on dirt when trainer Tim Yakteen switched the 4-year-old son of Nyquist to turf, and he’s five for six since. This was his first try at the Grade I level.

“I didn’t expect something like this,” Yakteen said.

With Antonio Fresu riding, the son of Curlin and Feathered was running seventh along the rail early in the 6-furlong sprint before rallying on the outside, splitting opponents turning into the stretch and pulling away to win by 2 3/4 lengths over Santarena.

“Really happy,” said trainer John Sadler, who also had Flightline, the 2022 North American Horse of the Year. “You know, he got about four races of experience in one race. Considering he had to come up the inside, (and) eat a lot of dirt, he handled his lessons really well.”

Sadler said he doesn’t have a next race picked out but thinks Eagles Flight will be “really good for a mile.”

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