[quote=BarTopDancer]The weather has been really spotty, though next weekend is supposed to be nice..

The beach. Huntington, Newport or Laguna aren't super far. Huntington has some bays in Huntington Harbor but there are no waves. I'm not sure if Newport or Laguna has any bays. I also don't know if the lifeguards are out in force yet.[quote]

Newport has a bay. Upper Newport has a road that takes you to a bird sanctuary and loops back to Jamboree Road, just below Fashion Island (upper crust shopping mecca!). Lower Newport has the yachts of the rich and famous (think "The O. C."). The Balboa pier has a very wide sand beach area to enjoy and is close to ample parking. The lifeguards are out for the Easter Week break, but I don't believe they come out in force until after Memorial Day. The towers are manned on the weekends, though.

Laguna Beach is a little further south, but is a fine beach. The area around Main Beach is surrounded by art galleries and restaurants. Parking is a bit more difficult, but can be found on some of the back streets just off of PCH.

As far as the waves are concerned, it's mostly in the 2 to 3 foot range unless there is a south swell. Then the waves can get up to 6 to 8 feet. During the spring, however, the swells usually come from the west, which will not affect Laguna or most of Newport beaches. West swells do affect Hunington Beach and can be a concern for rip tides. One thing to take into concideration if you plan on frollicing in the waters: IT'S COOOOOLD!:p

Thanks for the tips BTD and Hades. I think we've decided on going to the beach to build sand castles and fly our kite, followed by dinner somewhere that we don't have in AZ. I would not dare to venture into the water in April, so waves and such are not a concern. We may stick our feet in, but that is it.

Now we just need to decide on a beach. I honeymooned in Newport, how the heck did I miss all that stuff? The only thing I remember about the area is a really cool movie theater that we saw Dancer in the Dark in, and a crab restaurant that we had yummy brown clam chowder at.

We love love love Dana point (I bought my first skateboard there), but the beach we love so much requires much walking across rocks and climbing to get to, so that's out. Plus it's by a high wall of rocks so the kite flying wouldn't work. Here's what I'm looking for in a beach: as few crowds as possible, yummy non-chain, not too expensive food nearby, as close to DL as possible. Anything fit that criteria?

I recommend Huntington Beach, by Main St. You can eat at Sugar Shack Cafe and enjoy the beach.

I'll also recommend Harbor House Cafe to eat at and Belmont Shores to explore (it's even in LA county).

Try Seal Beach. You can fly kites on the north side of the pier, and the beach is flat and kid friendly (small waves). There's a good playground just to the south of the pier. There's a nice cheap mexican food restaurant just across from the pier. Seal Beach is relatively close to DL. Katella to Los Alamitos Blvd and head south.

Ok, change of plans. We'll now be there Tuesday through Friday, next week, not tomorrow. Also, does anyone know if you can upgrade a pass from a 3 day to a 4 day at the gate? It's one of those adult at a child price tickets. The online cost difference is only $20, but would they make me pay for an upgrade to full price at the gate?

Are we having a meet? We're home now.

I'd say the thing not to miss before the end of the 50th is the start of the 51st :)

Oh no! :(

I'd love a meet if anyone can make it. It is weekdays though.

I hope you are all planning a "taking down of the decorations" meet.