What about Aliso Beach for a "get together"...? Seriously...
http://www.ocparks.com/alisobeach/de...w=Introduction
Close parking to the water's edge, right off PCH. There is a marine reserve area but it's supposed to be well defined by rock outcroppings.
The shore break can be wicked or non-existant, just depends. I'm sure that could be predicted a few days before...
