Experience a Surf City USA® Vacation
Huntington Beach epitomizes the Orange County lifestyle – laid back and stress-free. One of California's finest coastal communities, this 100-year-old city maintains a lively surf culture, acres of pristine nature preserves and more than eight miles of golden sand beaches framed by glistening ocean waves. Not only does Surf City USA® offer endless beach activities, it boasts shopping, dining and nightlife experiences that only an authentic beach town can provide.
Cowabunga! Surf's Up
Since the turn of the century, surfing has pervaded the very fabric of Huntington Beach, influencing what locals and visitors alike listen to, wear, eat and get around in. With 8.5 miles of coastline, Huntington Beach has the most consistent waves in Southern California. It has lured legendary surfing icons such as Duke Kahanamoku, Corky Carroll, Pete Townend, Kelly Slater, Rob Machado and Layne Beachley. The city hosts more than 30 national and international
surfing championships each year, including the most widely attended North American surfing event, the US Open of Surfing® in July.
Life's a Beach
If the surf culture is the architecture of Huntington Beach, then the
beaches are certainly the foundation upon which it's built: golden sand, fresh ocean breezes and waves that attract all types of water enthusiasts, from beginners to pros.
Volleyball players, sun worshippers and families at play hit the beaches nearly every summer day, and when the sun goes down, beach
bonfires light up the stretch of sand for miles.
Commonly considered one long, beautiful 8.5 mile stretch of shoreline, Huntington Beach is actually made up of three distinct segments: Bolsa Chica State Beach, Huntington City Beach and Huntington State Beach. The three beaches are connected by a continuous paved trail for walking, jogging, rollerblading and cycling with a view of the ocean.
Even dogs can spend the day at Huntington City Beach at a special section called "Dog Beach." Here two- and four-legged visitors can romp freely in the surf. It's not unusual to spot a tail wagging atop a surfboard as man and his best friend ride a wave in tandem.
Beyond the Beach - Huntington Beach Offers Much More-Venture beyond the city's golden beaches and you'll find everything from horseback riding and picnics in the park, to a historic museum, community theater and nature centers. The nature centers include the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve, a 1,700-acre coastal wetland sanctuary that serves as home to nearly 200 species of birds, and the Shipley Nature Center where visitors can amble through 18 acres of natural habitat, representing seven different types of environments found throughout Orange County and California. In addition, a 1,500-square-foot Interpretative Center has educational exhibits on ecology and wildlife, as well as several hands-on activities for children.
Free Spirited and Forever Young!
What do you get when you combine more than 100 years of commerce with a free-spirited forever-young Surf City USA® attitude? The answer is one of the most hip downtowns on the planet – a blend of old architecture with a new Mediterranean style, where surfboards and bikinis are just as welcome as classic hot rods and gray hair. In the rush of people, sounds, and crisp salt air Huntington Beach brings out the kid in everyone.
Strolling Surf City USA®
A stroll down the famous
Huntington Beach Pier, one of the longest recreational piers in the world at 1,853-feet-long, is mandatory for any visitor. The pier offers "people-watching" par excellence - surfers on the world-famous waves, volleyball gods and goddesses spiking it out on the sand, and cyclists on their beach cruiser bicycles.
Surf City USA® Dining for All Tastes
When it comes to cuisine, Huntington Beach offers just the right mix of eateries to satisfy everyone's taste buds, from a juicy hamburger on the beach and fish tacos at a sidewalk café, to steak and lobster atop a terrace with a sweeping ocean view. Huntington Beach is fast becoming a major force on the dining scene with new sophisticated upscale venues and trendy Surf City eateries.
Duke's, one of Huntington Beach's most popular restaurants, pays homage to surfing legend Duke Kahanamoku. Located at the foot of the pier, the restaurant offers Hawaiian-inspired cuisine and a museum-quality collection of surf memorabilia. No visit to downtown would be complete without a stop at
Dwight's at the Beach, one block south of the pier on the boardwalk. Originally opened in 1932, this local institution has been going strong for more than 70 years. Dwight's continues to feed generation after generation of hungry beach-goers who come from near and far to sample the famous burgers, hot dogs and ice cream. The most popular menu item remains cheese strips, a mouth-watering blend of tortilla chips and cheddar cheese topped with a secret sauce. In fact, the sauce is so popular that Dwight's sells it by the quart and gallon to beachgoers who have enjoyed its unique taste for more than 40 years.