Surf City USA Delivers Endless Summer Vibes and Ocean Adventures
Huntington Beach is globally recognized as Surf City. It boasts the longest uninterrupted stretch of beach on the West Coast.
While the city teems with attractions, parks, theaters, malls, and restaurants, the primary draw remains the magnificent coastline.
Travelers can choose from several distinct beaches. Each location possesses a unique personality. Some are managed by the city, while others fall under the State Park system.
Highlights |
| Beaches |
| Biking |
| The Pier |
| Pacific City Mall |
| Dining |
| Events |
| Bolsa Chica Wetlands and Mesa Tour |
| 4th of July Parade |
Beaches
Huntington City Beach (and Pier)
The area around the Pier at Main Street is the most popular beach in HB. It is usually bustling for good reason. It features a wide, spotless sandy beach equipped with fire pits and barbeques.
[Image of ocean wave formation physics]
Excellent surfing conditions exist most days of the year. You will see plenty of surfers making the best of the waves.
Fun Fact: Huntington Beach was the host of the first U.S. Surfing Championships in 1959 and continues to host the U.S. Open of Surfing every summer, the largest surfing competition in the world.
If you love beach volleyball, you can either jump in and play a few games or watch various teams battling around the net.
On some days, this stretch of beach becomes crowded due to surfing or volleyball competitions. You can check out the calendar before you make your way here.
Another reason for this area's popularity is the presence of two concession stands on both sides of the pier. You can rent your beach equipment or find a tasty snack at Dwight's or Zack's.
Find your Orange County, CA Adventure here.
My preferred spot is Zack’s because they offer a wide selection of bikes, surfboards, and bodyboards. They also maintain a broad selection of snacks and sandwiches for the hungry traveler.
If fast food does not appeal to you, walk a few steps to discover several good restaurants. Two of them are situated right on the sand, while others line Main Street.
Traveler Tip: "Arrive before 10 AM if you want to snag one of the concrete fire rings. They are first-come, first-served and extremely popular for evening bonfires."
Parking can be a challenge, especially on the weekend. If you arrive early enough, you might be lucky to find a spot right on the beach. Otherwise, head to one of the parking structures around Main Street and Pacific Coast Highway, or park at the Pacific City Mall.
Huntington Dog Beach
The dog beach in Huntington Beach is a paradise for canines and their owners. It is located along Pacific Coast Highway, under a cliff between Seapoint Avenue and 21st Street.
Even if you do not own a dog, you can visit to watch pups training their owners to catch a Frisbee or a ball. It is a joyous atmosphere.
User Comment: "This is the happiest place on earth for dogs. Just remember to bring quarters for the meters if you park along PCH, or use the app." - Sarah J.
Bolsa Chica State Beach
This location ranks among the best beaches for swimmers and beginner surfers. The shallow waters generally prevent the waves from getting too high, making it ideal for families with smaller children.
This beach is located along Pacific Coast Highway between Warner Avenue and Seapoint Street, situated to the north of the pier.
Across the street, you can find the Bolsa Chica Wildlife Preserve. This is a protected wetland area teeming with birds, small animals, and native plants. Read more here.
[Image of coastal wetland ecosystem]
Huntington State Beach
This is another excellent beach for swimming and bodyboarding. Surfing is limited to designated areas, which gives swimmers more room to enjoy the water safely.
At this beach, you will find ample fire rings, barbeques, restrooms, and showers. It is also wheelchair accessible, featuring ramps and designated accessible parking areas.
This stretch is located along Pacific Coast Highway, between Beach Boulevard and Brookhurst Street, to the south of the Pier.
Biking
Huntington Beach offers one of the premier beach bike trails in Orange County. It is paved, safe, and extensive.
The trail starts from the Santa Ana River at the south end of the state beach. It runs through the city of HB and continues north through Bolsa Chica State Beach. It spans 8 miles of mostly level and paved ground.
You can extend your ride by continuing north to Sunset Beach or south toward Newport Beach. You do not have to bring your own bike; rentals are available at Zack's.
The Pier
The Huntington Beach pier stretches 1,850 feet into the Pacific Ocean and is considered one of the longest on the West Coast. It sits high above the surf, providing commanding views of the beach and the town.
Find your Orange County, CA Adventure here.
Cars and bikes are not allowed on the pier, allowing you to enjoy a peaceful stroll. You will also find a few shops offering souvenirs and kites.
A shop near the tip of the pier offers fishing supplies and rentals. You can grab everything you need to start fishing right there.
Toward the end of the pier, you will find a Ruby’s Diner franchise (Note: This location may have recently closed or changed ownership, so check local listings). The food is standard diner fare, but the views are amazing.
When you reach the restaurant, do not stop. Keep going around it to get to the very tip of the pier and enjoy an unobstructed ocean view.
Pacific City Mall
This is a modern addition to the busy downtown Huntington Beach area. It is an open-plan mall with many shops and restaurants overlooking the beach.
The mall features anchor stores such as H&M and Tommy Bahama, along with unique boutiques like Chico Hats and Molly Brown's Swimwear.
Traveler Tip: "If you park in the Pacific City garage, many of the restaurants and shops offer validation which significantly reduces the cost. Be sure to ask your server."
You can also find excellent dining options, such as Ola Mexican Kitchen, which serves tasty Mexican fare with fantastic ocean views.
Another good choice for dinner is the Old Crow Smokehouse, which serves a variety of barbecued meats and fish.
Dining
Ola Mexican Kitchen
Ola is situated on the second floor of Pacific City Mall in Huntington Beach, offering a commanding view overlooking Pacific Coast Highway, HB Pier, and the Ocean.
The food and service are excellent. We especially recommend the Lobster and Shrimp Enchiladas, Fish Tacos, and Ribeye Fajitas.
The complimentary chips and salsa are more than enough for starters, but you can choose a more filling appetizer from the extensive menu.
To complete this delicious meal, we always order the Tres Leches, a traditional Mexican butter cake made with three kinds of milk.
21040 Pacific Coast Hwy F200, Huntington Beach, CA 92648
Bluegold
Bluegold is another restaurant boasting a great view of the Pacific City Mall. This venue offers new American cuisine featuring seasonal, locally sourced ingredients. Consequently, menu items vary depending on availability.
We recently tried their breakfast while admiring views of the beach and pier from the floor-to-ceiling windows.
We ordered scrambled eggs and an omelet. They were both fluffy and tasty. The dishes come with salad, but if you prefer, you can order your favorite style of potatoes.
If you are an early riser, this place is not for you. They typically open for breakfast at 9 am.
During another visit, we went for dinner and drinks. While waiting for our table to be ready, we ordered "The Perfect Storm" (a rum drink) from the bar. We enjoyed a few sips of this delicious cocktail before we were whisked away to our table overlooking beautiful ocean views.
We tried the Lamb Shank with asparagus risotto for dinner and had an El Chapo margarita. Both food and drinks were above expectations.
We couldn't resist trying the Pumpkin Spice and Mocha Crunch cakes for dessert. Both were very tasty, but the Pumpkin Spice was exceptional.
21016 Pacific Coast Hwy d200, Huntington Beach, CA 92648
Pacific Hideaway
Tucked inside the Kimpton Shorebreak resort, this restaurant offers delicious California 
Fare with a great view from the balcony.
On a recent visit, we sat on the balcony and enjoyed our brunch while gazing at the pier and the surf.
We tried the SoCal Breakfast Burrito and the Blackened Mahi Mahi Tacos. Both were very tasty and filling. I especially liked the burrito stuffed with eggs, onion, bacon, red pepper, cheese, fries, and avocado.
The finale was a baked cookie with bread pudding and vanilla ice cream.
500 Pacific Coast Hwy, Huntington Beach, CA
Pete's Sunset Grille
We found this place inside the Hyatt Resort. Although it does not have a great ocean view, it is a few steps from the bridge connecting the hotel to the beach.
It is an excellent place to grab a bite before walking to the beach. We ate lunch while enjoying the beautiful California weather out on the patio.
We tried the Cali Reuben and the Fish Tacos. They were both good. The service, drinks, and dessert were worth the visit. We loved Mallory's Triple Layer Torte.
21500 Pacific Coast Hwy, Huntington Beach, CA
The Boardwalk at Hilton
This newer restaurant opened its doors in 2018 as part of the Waterfront Beach Resort expansion. This sit-down restaurant offers a diverse menu inspired by the coastal flavors of Southern California.
During our visit, we chose to sit outdoors right next to the pool, enjoying great views of the ocean.
We tried the Short Ribs Rigatoni and the Vegetable Curry. They were both tasty and filling.
While waiting for our dinner, we sipped on the Huntington Margarita, Passion Fruit Manhattan, and Bacardi Silver. We ended our meal with an Apple Pie à la Mode.
21100 E Pacific Coast Hwy, Huntington Beach, CA
Lorea at Pasea
We recently dined at Lorea, a restaurant located at the stylish Pasea Hotel in Huntington Beach. The ambiance was upscale yet relaxed, offering a perfect setting for a memorable meal. To add to the ambiance, we chose the outdoor patio to enjoy another sunny California day.
We shared the broiled halibut, which was cooked to perfection. The fish was tender and flavorful, with a crispy outer layer that added a delightful texture. Accompanying the halibut were rosemary fries, a fragrant and delicious twist on the classic side dish.
For drinks, we chose the Laurel and the Love Letter. The Laurel was a refreshing cocktail with a perfect balance of flavors, making it an excellent choice to start the evening.
To round off our meal, we could not resist trying their specialty dessert, the Pavlova. This dessert was a visual and gastronomic masterpiece. The meringue was light and airy, topped with a variety of fresh fruits and a drizzle of tangy-sweet sauce.
Overall, Lorea at the Pasea Hotel delivered an exceptional dining experience.
Events
Huntington Beach hosts many popular events throughout the year. Check their calendar here for up-to-date info.
Here are some of the events worth mentioning:
The Great Pacific Air Show
The air show is a massive event featuring three jet teams from three countries, with more than two million people attending the three-day spectacle. Every year, a different group of flyer teams is assembled to provide a fantastic show for viewers.
[Image of jet fighter aerodynamics]
The event can last up to 4 hours daily and is mostly free to attend. You can claim a spot on the beach to enjoy the show. If you prefer, you can pay for a reserved viewing area. You can get more details here.
Art-A-Faire
Held every Friday from 10 am to 7 pm. This event features arts, crafts, and handmade gifts. The schedule is sometimes extended into the weekend.
Surf City Nights
Held every week on Tuesday from 5 pm to 9 pm. This includes a farmer's market, bounce house, street performers (musical and non-musical acts), restaurant samplings, sidewalk sales, and specials from local restaurants.
Surf City Blues, Brews & BBQ
Hosted at the microbrewery "Brew Bakers" every 3rd Saturday.
Bolsa Chica Wetlands and Mesa Tour
Occurs every third Sunday of every month at 10 a.m.
4th of July Parade
A 2-hour parade that starts from PCH and Main Street, concluding with a fireworks show at 9 PM.
Huntington Beach, CA
300 Pacific Coast Hwy
Huntington Beach, CA 92648
714-536-5281
Attributions:
Some photos are from Wikipedia