Need help deciding between San Clemete, Dana Point or Huntington Beach (Oceanside: home, place to live)

[lifelover7]

Thank you so much OCerik, and we couldn't agree with you more, the beaches and landscape are absolutely far more beautiful. Stunning video too. You, along with the others have certainly helped us narrow down our search and we are so grateful for the input!

[mrwumpus]

I personally prefer San Clemente for its quieter, more authentic beach bum vibe. I lived on the main strip street there for a couple of years. I like the character of the winding older streets in San Clemente. Would have loved to own an older house there and raised my kids as OC beach bums.

If you want classier and more polish, Dana Point if you don't mind the crowds and more through traffic. It's a bit too resort-like for me but there's plenty of culture and vibe in DP too. It's hard to beat DP harbor on a pretty day when you can find parking. Although I'm nervous about their renovation plans robbing its vibe.

I prefer the beaches at Huntington, but I find it too crowded. Plus on a hot summer day there's no beating south of San Juan Capistrano.

[CaliRestoration]

Originally Posted by dwilson123

Can you really see the ocean from Laguna Niguel? I live on the bottom tip right next to Dana point and I can't see the ocean until Stonehill. It also takes a bit longer than 5 minutes to Doheny. Not much but more like 10-15 with traffic.

Uh in the more expensive areas of Laguna Niguel.

Laguna Niguel used to be a beach city but Dana Point stole their beach.

[LuvSouthOC]

True, Dana Point gobbles cities’ beaches (Capo and LN) like a giant hungry...don’t look now but Dana might swallow up SC.

We are still very close to it.

[kishac]

1. Dana Point
2. San Clemente
..
..
..
..
..
3. Huntington Beach

[TimTheEnchanter]

Can you not find anything in Newport Beach? Newport has several great areas including the Balboa Peninsula, Corona del Mar, Newport Heights, etc.

I'd also look around San Juan Capistrano, South Laguna and Capo Beach.

Huntington and San Clemente are great, BUT you do need to choose the right neighborhood.

[ElDiabloJoe]

Originally Posted by kishac

1. Dana Point
2. San Clemente
..
..
..
..
..
3. Huntington Beach

Lol, I see what you did there. Huntington Beach is like Texas - People either love it with a passion, or hate it just as passionately. I'm in the latter group. It is flat, most of it is far from the beach, the water is a long way across the sand in most places. Even in the parking lot you can barely see the water itself, lol. The town is chock full of service industry folks and has a (well deserved?) reputation as a white aryan center. Plus, the miles and miles of pink block wall make the neighborhoods all run together. It is freeway close, however. Others mileage may vary of course. I am not trying to bash the city, just point out why it is not my favorite.

[Electrician4you]

Originally Posted by TimTheEnchanter

Can you not find anything in Newport Beach? Newport has several great areas including the Balboa Peninsula, Corona del Mar, Newport Heights, etc.

I'd also look around San Juan Capistrano, South Laguna and Capo Beach.

Huntington and San Clemente are great, BUT you do need to choose the right neighborhood.

Balboa peninsula is getting very expensive. The average rent starts at 2500 a month on the peninsula for a 900 sq ft tiny cottage. Once you get past the rentals that start as soon as you get into NB from Huntington on PCH down to the fun zone you get into multi million dollar mansions.
The parking there is insane.

[LuvSouthOC]

Originally Posted by ElDiabloJoe

Lol, I see what you did there. Huntington Beach is like Texas - People either love it with a passion, or hate it just as passionately. I'm in the latter group. It is flat, most of it is far from the beach, the water is a long way across the sand in most places. Even in the parking lot you can barely see the water itself, lol. The town is chock full of service industry folks and has a (well deserved?) reputation as a white aryan center. Plus, the miles and miles of pink block wall make the neighborhoods all run together. It is freeway close, however. Others mileage may vary of course. I am not trying to bash the city, just point out why it is not my favorite.

Yeah sure. Five post past.

[CaliRestoration]

Originally Posted by ElDiabloJoe

The town is chock full of service industry folks and has a (well deserved?) reputation as a white aryan center.