As spring breaks and summer awaits, Orange County’s iconic beaches are set to buzz with surfers, sunbathers and, inevitably, traffic. For those seeking a respite from the seasonal crowds, a different kind of shoreline experience can be found steps away. While California State Parks strictly prohibit alcohol imbibing directly on the sands in order to maintain cleanliness and safety of these public spaces, a handful nearby venues offer a welcome escape within easy strolling distance.
What’s more, these five conveniently located establishments offer alcohol-infused refreshment just a stone’s throw from the sand, offering a seamless transition without having to navigate Coast Highway. Orange County offers a slew of beachside spots that offer beer, wine and cocktails galore, so consider these five venues jumping off points for your next excursion at the beach.
The Beach House (Seal Beach)
Opening in 2022, this seaside restaurant offers a full bar, making it one of California’s few full-service, full-bar restaurants at the beach. Julie Eichensehr, head bartender and bar program manager, “just has the knack,” says Rosie Ritchie, owner of the Beach House, “people line up regularly for her drinks.” Eichensehr makes many boozy creations, including a Raspberry Sour, Rum Banana Rum and a Beachside Blackberry. “It’s a gin-based cocktail made with Empress Gin, which has a purple tint, and then I add muddled blackberries, St-Germain, fresh lemon juice and simple syrup, which I then strain and serve in a wine glass with a fresh blackberry and mint sprig,” said Eichensehr. Also of note is the Beach House’s Bloody Mary. “We are known for our Bloody Marys, which is my own recipe,” said Ritchie. And for those who eschew alcohol, mocktails are also available.
Find it: 15 First St., Seal Beach
Fisherman’s Restaurant & Bar (San Clemente)
Located literally on the sand, hovering just above it on the San Clemente Pier, this seaside staple offers a full bar with boozy concoctions like margaritas, Bloody Marys, a Boneyard (with Blue Curacao, vodka, triple sec). Draft and bottled beer available, as well as a wine list. Fisherman’s also features a happy hour from 4 until 7 p.m. daily with food and drink specials.
Find it: 611 Avenida Victoria, San Clemente
Lost Pier Cafe (Laguna Beach)
Newly equipped with a full liquor license, this Laguna Beach staple features tried and true classics like a Piña Colada on Rocks (featuring coconut cream, pineapple, fresh lime, white rum and a dark rum floater), a Margarita (fresh lime and orange, agave, tequila, salt rim), a Watermelon Margarita (made with homemade watermelon juice, fresh lime, agave, tequila and a Tajin rim), a High Tide Mai Tai (fresh lime and orange, pineapple juice, white rum and dark rum floater) and a Bloody Mary (Bloody Mary mix, fresh lime, vodka and Tajin rim), as well as a specialty drinks like the Infused Pineapple Margarita (silver tequila, infused pineapple syrup, lime, pineapple juice and a salt rim) and the Infused Jalapeño Pineapple Margarita (silver tequila, muddled jalapeño, infused jalapeño pineapple syrup, lime, pineapple juice and a Tajin rim).
Find it: 31131 CA-1, Laguna Beach
Sahara SandBar and Pizza (Huntington Beach)
One of restauranteur Alicia Cox‘s beachside concessions, Sahara SandBar and Pizza offers a full-bar experience with such specialty cocktails as Jill’s Afternoon Buzz (Ketel One vodka and Watermelon Red Bull), Sahara’s Sunshine Margarita (Don Julio Blanco, lime, orange juice, agave and puree), the Salty B Watermelon Margarita, Candace’s Skinny Margarita (21 Seeds jalapeño-cucumber, lime juice, agave) and more. (In related news, Cox has teamed up with Heritage Barbecue for a pop-up concept coming to Bolsa Chica State Beach starting May 3, which will be one part Heritage Barbecue and one part honky-tonk music venue held inside Cox’s newly remodeled SeaSalt Honky Tonk at the Beach.)
Find it: 21601 Pacific Coast Highway, #B, Huntington Beach
Young’s Beach Shack (Dana Point)
Nestled along one of South County’s best breaks (and priciest zip codes), Young’s Beach Shack, from the same owners of Lost Pier Cafe and the Ranch in Laguna Beach), offers beachgoers ethanol-infused relief with its menu of beer (a rotating selection of six craft beers on tap along with draft seltzer), wine (reds, whites and roses) and cocktails, including a Margarita, a Paloma (Milagro tequila (grapefruit juice and lemon-lime soda), a Piña Colada, a Seasonal mojito, a Moscow Mule, a Bloody Mary and a Michelada.
Find it: 33521 Ritz Carlton Drive, Dana Point