Seafront Beach

Agree with Cloudwood’s review, the tarmac is a bit of a blot, but you don’t notice it really and the overall location is excellent.
Huge sea views, fantastic westerly facing to capture the sun in the afternoon.
Long promenade ideal for kidies and more mature folk to toddle along (reasonably well constructed and refurbished a few years ago with upper and lower walkways).
Little kiosks with seating areas selling ice cream and coffees — plenty of bench seats to park down.
Selection of drinking/​coffee establishments along the front for convivial socialising or people watching — great atmosphere on a hot sunny day.
Plenty to see; walk right round the headland to Rest Bay and watch the surfers; explore the old harbour and sea walls; walk round the other side towards Coney Beach and all the way to Danycraig.
Also worth a visit in the colder wintry months for gale force winds that want to carry you off up the Bristol Channel given the chance.
Gets 4 stars for location. Well worth a day trip out.
Hope this is helpful.

Seafront Beach, also known as Town Beach, is a rocky beach in the centre of Porthcawl. The beach runs along the esplanade, and can be accessed via steps from numerous points on the promenade.
The beach is mainly composed of rocks, apart from a small area of sand. This sandy area sits next to a part of the beach which was tarmaced over in the 1980s in a terrible misguided plan to repair sea defences and attract sand. It’s fair to say thta the sand has not been attracted. There is also a further bit of tarmac in the rocky area — where salt water swimming pools were filled in during the 90s.
Swimming is not recommended at the beach and although you do see surfers theconditions are only suitable for the experienced, because of dangerous tides and sharp rocks.
Food facilities are available on the promenade, the closest public toilets are in John street — although there are plans to build new toilets near the lifeboat station.
The beach is nice enough for viewing from the prom, or strolling along — but there are far superior beaches in Porthcawl for swimming or sunbathing.