Orange County beaches have many events but the top ones are:

Beach events in Orange County are huge affairs ranging from sand castle competition in Corona del Mar to the big US Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach. That particular event unofficially attracts over 250,00 attendees.

Each beach has its flavor and fun. Some are low-key and some are a bit over the top. But in an annual roundup, with the effort to represent all we can, here's a list of beach events to keep your eyes pealed for at Orange County beaches.

January 1 each year is a Polar Plunge. Attendance is not large enough to call this a top event, but we're letting you know about it because it launches the annual Orange County Beach Events calendar quite nicely. Huntington Beach Polar Plunge and a marathon on Super Bowl Sunday each year in February are a few "HB" events.

From January to March each year, look for whales. The whale migration is a big deal as you see these monstrous, beautiful creatures up close and personal in a boat excursion. In Dana Point there's an annual Festival of Whales, along with whale watching boat tours you can take out of Dana Point Harbor to watch the mesmerizing creatures who travel thousands of miles twice a year.

The Newport Beach Film Festival runs approx. 10 days in April. Around 300 indy films are shown during this event, which attracts many producers and film-makers as well as movie goers. It really is a great opportunity to view films not often seen on the big screen.

On Mother's Day Weekend in May, Sunset Beach Art Festival is held each year. The greenbelt of this one-mile long community is dressed up with booths, vendors, foods and awards for the winners.

June brings a mix of the June Gloom and sunshine to the Orange County beaches. One of the fun events to ring in the summer is Huntington Beach Pier Swim.

On the 4th of July the beaches all come alive with crowds, families and fun. It's real Americana in Orange County. The biggest fireworks show (outside Anaheim's Disneyland) is at the Newport Dunes. Cars must pay a fee to park at this event that begins at noon and goes till around 10 p.m. Every beach is crowded and in fact, this is one of the top attendance days for Newport Beach. The street barricades on the Balboa peninsula go up around 10 a.m. in the morning and from then on out, it's an amazing mass of people. In Huntington Beach the largest 4th of July Parade west of the Mississippi is held from 10 a.m. to noon. Other events include pier expo, a 5K run, and free fireworks show.

Ocean Festival is held in San Clemente in mid-July. A fantastic family event includes games, sand castle contests, bands, booths, and tons of food. Just as it ends, the US Open of Surfing is launched the last week of July. This is an event ideal for youth and extreme sports enthusiasts. There are plenty of old people and young adults rocking to the beach vibe and this sand-kicking, foot-stomping event.

July through August is the Festival of the Arts and Pageant of the Masters sell-out celebration in Laguna Beach. Not one but several large art venues offer artwork galore. The Pageant of the Masters unfortunately sells out so you won't have a chance to watch it unless you buy tickets far ahead of the event.

In September, the Run for the Cure at Fashion Island attracts over 20,000 participants.

October settles down at the Orange County beaches. If you find a crowd, that's very unusual for this time of year.  Street fairs for Halloween mostly take place near the beach, through rarely right on it.

November is the annual Turkey Trot at Doheny Beach. It's held on Thanksgiving Day as a counter-measure to excess calorie intake.  It really is great fun.

December is the month of the boats. Waterways are lit for harbor parades held in Dana Point and Newport Beach. Huntington Beach features Cruise of Lights held for approx. 10 days. It is a boat ride to watch the houses lit in Huntington Harbour. But the oldest, largest boat parade may be the Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade.