Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, Or Huntington Beach: An Honest Comparison!

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Last updated on April 2, 2023 by Wandering our World

Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, and Huntington Beach all lie on California’s coast, between Los Angeles to their North, and San Diego to their South. Being the official Surf City USA, an easy commonality across all three locations is the shared love of surfing, however there is so much more to each town than just catching waves.

With beautiful long stretches of coastline, they each make for stunning, yet unique, beach vacation experiences, filled with all things oceanic, as well as various inland attractions too. Yet they’re also quite different as well…

For example, the vibes in each differ. Laguna Beach is quite artistic in nature; Newport Beach is a fascinating mix of present-day beauty and history; while Huntington Beach is known for being very family friendly.

But that’s just the beginning when it comes to how similar and different these three fun beach towns are!

Luckily we know and love all three destinations, so to help you decide, we’ll be comparing all three and then highlighting the best features of each.

We’ll look at their beaches, activities, nightlife and vibe, all so you can make the right vacation choice!

CONTENTS:

  1. A Quick Overview & Comparison
  2. How Do The Beaches & Activities Compare?
  3. Which Has Better Nightlife?
  4. Where To Stay When Visiting
  5. Which Is The Better Choice?
An infographic pitting Laguna Beach vs Newport Beach vs Huntington Beach and showing some of the key differences that will be discovered later in the article.

A Quick Overview & Comparison

Laguna Beach is somewhat of an undiscovered gem, with plenty of natural and artistic beauty for you to enjoy while on vacation.

Situated halfway between Los Angeles and San Diego, Laguna Beach is an artist colony in Orange County.

Unique to this stretch of the Californian coastline is the staggering 7 miles of coastline, as well as the most abundant selection of beachfront lodging you will find in all of California.

Doesn’t that just sound like the perfect beach holiday – with close up views of the sea spanning miles around you?

Perhaps even more impressive, Newport Beach tops this with 8 miles of Californian coastline for you to enjoy, with all ocean front beaches open to the public from 6am to 10pm.

You’ll be able to observe an interesting mix of modern-day glamour contrasted with historic beauties such as old cottages and dive bars, meaning Newport Beach tends to have something for everyone.

Last but not least, Huntington Beach too has expanses of idyllic coastlines, with sandy beaches, and plenty of water sport options.

While it is a favourite surf sport for many, there are a plethora of other activities to try out – it is the biggest town after all. Or, you can opt to just relax and enjoy the peaceful surroundings, with the waves lapping at your feet as you soak in the serenity.

Now that you have a bit of an introduction to each destination, keep reading to find out more about exactly what each town has to offer!

 Shore with palm trees, rocks, blue sky and ocean in sunset time. Soft sunlight falling on beach. Beautiful landscape in Laguna Beach, California, USA.
iStock.com/Sergey_T

How Do The Beaches & Activities Compare?

From picturesque, unobstructed coastlines to historic charm, and surf hot-spots, between these three beach destinations there is undoubtedly something for everyone.

Each has a slightly different forté, so be sure to understand the nuanced differences to make the most of your trip. 

Laguna Beach: The Beaches & Activities

From coves for you to discover, to beaches and the tide pools at Main Beach, Laguna Beach is an ideal location for pretty much everyone.

With 30 beaches that you can visit either by foot or kayak, there is plenty of new terrain to explore, meaning you won’t get bored of the same scenery if you don’t want to.

The weather year round is beautiful, meaning outdoor activities should be on your to-do list no matter when you visit.

Hiking, cycling, golf and tennis are all examples of inland sports to enjoy here, but if you fancy getting your hair wet, Aliso Beach Park is our personal recommendation for catching the swell on a surfboard.

Alternatively, you can try your hand at the likes of sailing and scuba diving, and we recommend also visiting the underwater park just off of Crystal Cove State Park.

To keep you occupied in your downtime, Laguna Beach houses an impressive artistic community, with almost 100 art galleries across the town showcasing local and international pieces.

Following on from the artisanal feel to this community, there are many opportunities to dine out and shop for handcrafted, boutique items such as jewellery and antiques, which are thoroughly unique to Laguna Beach.

A view of the Main Beach Coastline in Laguna Beach, Southern California. Laguna Beach is a beach community that is a popular tourism destination and is located in Orange County.
iStock.com/TraceRouda

Newport Beach: The Beaches & Activities

This particular coastal town’s ownership has changed hands several times, meaning it has seen a lot of historic change over the years. Today, the heart of its action is still rooted around its harbor, made up of two bodies of water.

The Upper Newport Bay is an ecological loop, perfect for outdoor enthusiasts who want to follow the trail by foot, or bike, or even horseback.

The Lower Newport Bay, by comparison, is more suited to those looking for retail shops and restaurant selections, with some of our favourite leisure spots being at Cannery Village, and Balboa Peninsula

For those looking for a look into the town’s past, head to Dory Fleet Market, a bustling fish market first established in 1891, which is also conveniently surrounded by some exquisite seafood eating options such as Fly ’N’ Fish Oyster Bar, popular with local fishers.

While surfing is also an option at Newport Beach, this town is perhaps better known for its historic elements dotted around the place, and so those looking to appreciate the old culture and traditions will find themselves in the right place here.

Newport beach California, panoramic shot from above with boats, houses & water
iStock.com/Larry Gibson

Huntington Beach: The Beaches & Activities

Huntington Beach, of course, has the classics – wide sandy beaches, postcard worthy settings, and oceanfront dining all year round.

But their showcase item has to be the Huntington Beach Pier, which spans an impressive 1,850 feet in length, right in the middle of Huntington’s 10 mile coastline.

Visitors can take in the views walking across the pier, or take to the sea to kayak or paddleboard.

Staying true to the Californian lifestyle, Huntington City Beach is another prime surf location, but if surf isn’t your thing don’t panic! As always, there are so many other things to do.

If you’re looking for a more untainted, quieter beach gem to close your eyes and sunbathe, we wholeheartedly love Sunset Beach, which tends to be much less crowded than other locations.

Over the year Huntington Beach hosts various beach town festivals such as the annual Coastal Country Jam.

They also have a dedicated dog beach – Huntington Dog Beach – where your canine friends can roam free on this pet-friendly beach.

Aerial drone view of the Huntington Beach Pier against blue sky with clouds
iStock.com/KStock

Which Has Better Nightlife?

It’s California. Party is in their blood!

From sipping on cocktails as the sun goes down, to finding yourself in a hip club dancing like there’s no tomorrow, you’ll find a mix of chill beach vibes and more lively, trendy nightlife options. None of these locations is significantly better or worse than any other on this front.

Laguna Beach: The Nightlife

Owing to its gorgeous setting, Laguna Beach has for a longtime been considered perhaps Orange County’s best nightlife scene.

Restaurants are open until late, and there are many live music and club options, from nightly entertainment at Main Street Cabaret, to electronic dance music at the lively Brussels Bistro.

In short, you can find pretty much any vibe here on a night out.

Newport Beach: The Nightlife

Once again, Newport Beach offers it all.

You can enjoy the waterfront views with a beer in hand, or find your way to the live entertainment, music and clubs which are known for their youthful, high-energy atmospheres.

At Bayside, and Mastro’s Ocean Club, you can enjoy live music or sing along with the piano yourself, while Balboa Saloon and Class of 47 will deliver a more beach-based night.  

Huntington Beach: The Nightlife

You won’t have to go out of your way to find a good night out here; there are bars and lounges in pretty much every direction you look at Huntington Beach, as well as distilleries, breweries, and good ol’ DJ parties.

The bars range from sports bars and grills, to wine bars for a classy night with the girls, so once again – there’s something for everyone!

Multiracial friends having fun dancing together outdoor at beach party - Soft focus on left girl face
iStock.com/DisobeyArt

Where To Stay When Visiting

Laguna Beach: The four-star Surf and Sand Resort is a wonderful place to stay right on the beachfront. Expect ocean views, private beach access, a wonderful outdoor pool and more. See photos and rates!

Newport Beach: In line with the historic theme of the town, Doryman’s Oceanfront Inn is a quaint Victorian inn with lots of character. But as it sits right on the beachfront you won’t miss out on ocean views either. See photos and rates!

Huntington Beach: For a taste of luxury check out Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort and Spa. With two outdoor pools, beach access, great views, world-class service and even surfing and paddle-boarding lessons, this is a fun and classy place to stay. See photos and rates!

Image of couple drinking cocktails when relaxing on chaise-lounges by swimming pool
iStock.com/DragonImages

Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, or Huntington Beach:Which Is The Better Choice?

With all 3 towns lying in close proximity across California’s coastline, each boasting long clear ocean fronts, as well as being sought after locations for surf and water sports, the beaches themselves don’t distinguish the towns all that much on their own.

The general atmospheres however do differ. Laguna Beach is overwhelmingly artistic by nature; Newport Beach is a fascinating mix of present-day beauty and ancient stories; while Huntington Beach caters to everyone, families and pets alike.

Therefore, deciding what you’re looking for in your holiday, combined with these insights, will help you make the perfect choice!

Author

  • Wandering our World

    Hi and welcome to Wandering our World! This article was written by one of the Wandering our World team - a team of travel enthusiasts who live around the globe.