we're going last week of Sept/first week of Oct. We're going for Disneyland and will spend most of our time there, but I want to take half a day to go to the beach. My wife is not excited because she's never been to a good beach before when it was warm and not windy. Just the bad luck she's always had. So she's not committing a whole day, but I got her to commit a half day.

Given that, what's our best choices for a fun half day at the beach? I don't have experience with CA beaches. We'll have a car. I've read up on these various beaches--leaning towards Newport because I think it's the closest, but those with experience share your wisdom!:

Aliso Beach Park, South Laguna Beach, California
Huntington
Newport
Seal Beach
Little Corona del Mar
Santa Monica
Venice
Cabrillo