The 40-mile Orange County coast is wonderfully complex, with wetlands, estuaries, seacliffs, headlands, coves, and wide stretches of golden sand. You’ll find quiet nature preserves and busy beaches that attract people from across California—and the world—to surf, swim, ride bicycles, play volleyball, or just gaze out to sea.

We found easy wheelchair access to at least part of every beach community except Sunset Beach. But Huntington Beach was right next door, and we found plenty of access there.