Spot in So-Cal for 6 year old's first time snorkeling?

[JimQPublic]

I'm looking for a spot relatively close to Long Beach to get my six year old daughter in the ocean with snorkeling gear for the first time.

I promised that I'd take her snorkeling at Catalina after she graduated both her latest swimming class and kindergarten. Yesterday she finished up with the swimming lessons and June 14 is the last day of kindergarten. I have reservations on the island for a couple nights and hope to get her out at Lovers' Cove.

First though I want to get her a little practice. This weekend I'll get her used to mask, snorkel, and fins in the pool. After that I'd like to get her in the ocean a little. I plan for her to wear a life preserver and stay on the surface No 60' freedives for the tyke!:no .

Any ideas for a location with calm water and a very, very easy entry? I thought about Mothers' beach in Alamitos bay but that water is pretty ugly. Not that we need crystal clear with sea life but something to look at would be nice.

Thanks,
Jim
Long Beach

 

[undrwater]

Montage resort in Laguna comes to mind. Malaga on a good day might work as well. I understand Leo Carillo has good snorkeling on a good day too.

 

[MaxBottomtime]

Corona del Mar has a roped off area for swimming and snorkeling. The sandstone trails are easily passable and there is a small cave for kids to explore. The beach is located just off Ocean Blvd. between Heliotrope and Glodenrod Avenues in Newport Beach, just north of Corona del Mar State Beach.
http://tinyurl.com/2ep9wa

 

[Sam Miller III]

Kirkkoff Marine Laboratory on the CDM side of the Newport harbor was always a favorite of my children. No surf activity, great visability, reefs and a pier to explore.

A great place for tad poles..

sdm

 

[JimQPublic]

Max-

Are you referring to the area inside the channel leading to Newport bay or the ocean facing beach?

 

[MaxBottomtime]

Inside. The water is calm and roped off. If the ocean is calm, Little Corona to the south has excellent snorkeling as well.