Ruby's?? Is that Ruby Tuesdays chain restaurant?? Sounds like it is not the way people are speaking about history.
That's why I mentioned Dana Point - my 6 year old granddaughter loves it there -tide pools and a playground. I can't think of anything at Huntington except volleyball courts and sand - and the pier to walk around. Across PCH is a wetlands with a lot of wild birds so if you've got a nature lover that could be fun. You do find people flying kites a lot -and selling them there. Don't play right around the pier -it can be rough/dirty/full of surfers. You need to move a bit to either side. There is a city beach and a state beach and both have parking lots too - some meters, some $$$ but all day parking.
I can't picture a playground at Laguna either.
Going north a bit is Long Beach - there's a "mother's beach" there that apparently is more calm for water play ( think there's one in newport beach as well). And there is a seaport area with a carousel as well as a really excellent aquarium (Long Beach). That's not much further from DL - a little more crowded generally. It's also where the Queen Mary is ( not much interest for a 5 year old though)
Maybe this will help:
http://www.beachcalifornia.com/beach-swings-playgrounds.html
How does Moonlight Beach compare to Coronado Island Beach by the Del or LaJolla Shores Beach?
Will be in San Diego for a few days before DL..will be staying in Coronado Island while there..Want to do 2 other day trips to beaches while there...
Any comments would be greatly appreciated! LOVE THE BEACH!
Thanks very much!
Finding this entertaining - I never think of my home town as a vacation resort - I walk 1 mile to that beach in the picture most Saturday mornings to watch the dogs frolic at dog beach ( separately marked - up a couple of blocks.) It takes me about 30 min to get to Disneyland - but then there's the parking entry and taking the tram - so an hour to get in somedays.
Ruby's is good - 50s style diner. They validate parking in the Pier structure ( a couple of blocks up off of Main street - pretty clearly marked). Gets you a couple of hours free. The downtown area has some fun/unique places -especially if you're a surfer ( I'm not ). Good bike path -- I'm sure there are rentals. Duke's is pretty good as well - pricey though. Fabulous desert - think it's a Hina Pie -- anyway, it's an ice cream/macadamia pie that's big enough for 2 or even 3!
I do like Laguna for pure beauty - very dramatic. Also Laguna is full of art galleries and cute little places to eat/buy unusual things. I think it has more personality than HB. Not as much sand -but in a way I like that -- easy to clean your feet off on the grass.
There are fun tide pools for kids in Dana Point. Getting fairly far south though - quite a bit further to DLR.
That's the original Ruby's. I wouldn't usually recommend Ruby's, but just for the history, that one would be worth a visit.
All the beach towns have their own free publications that list things like restaurants. I ordered all of them, just in case we decide to stop somewhere else along the way during our visit.