Know Before You Go: The Beach

Huntington Beach is home to 5 wide open, sandy beaches within our ten uninterrupted miles of shoreline. The inviting sands are a paradise for families, couples, dogs, and surfers. The accessible pathways lead you to beach volleyball courts, beach bonfire pits, a paved bike path, an all-inclusive playground, and Mobi Mats so everyone can have access to the beach.

Click through for more information about each beach:

• Huntington City Beach
• Huntington Dog Beach
• Huntington State Beach
• Bolsa Chica State Beach
• Sunset Beach

Huntington City Beach: Open from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., City Beach provides ample parking in lots north and south of the Huntington Beach Pier for $2/hour with a $15 daily maximum. There are also plenty of metered spots along Pacific Coast Highway adjacent to the beach. Please note parking rates are subject to change at any time without notice. For more information, click here. 

Huntington Dog Beach: Open from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. Metered parking is available for $2/hour in two lots along Pacific Coast Highway. Please note parking rates are subject to change at any time without notice. 

Huntington State Beach: Open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., Huntington State Beach provides ample parking lot space for $15/day for standard cars and $30/day for oversize vehicles, with no in/out privileges. Gates close at 9 p.m. The maximum trailer, camper, and motorhome length is 40 feet. Please note parking rates are subject to change at any time without notice.

Bolsa Chica State Beach: Bolsa Chica runs from Seapoint Street north to Warner Avenue. Parking is $15/day and $30/day for RVs.

Sunset Beach: Open from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. Score free parking in the lot at Warner Avenue and Pacific Coast Highway. Public parking is also available along Pacific Avenue and left of Starbucks in Peter's Landing.

The City of Huntington Beach has been installing Mobi-Mats on the beaches for visitors with limited mobility, parents with strollers, and others who otherwise may not be able to access the shoreline. There are currently two mats installed: one next to the 6th Street and PCH parking lot and one on the south end of Huntington City Beach. For more information on Huntington Beach's beach accessibility, click here.

Huntington City Beach

• Jack's Beach Concession is located on the sand and within walking distance to the Huntington Beach Pier. Happily serving customers for more than 60 years, Jack's has great food and great service.

• Zack's Pier Plaza serves all your favorite beach food including hamburgers, hot dogs, ice cream and beverages in addition to falafels and gyros.

• Dwight's Beach Concession is the oldest active business in town and is a must-try while spending a day at the beach. Menu items include burgers, ice cream, and their famous cheese strips.

Huntington State Beach

• Zack's Too serves all your favorite beach food including hamburgers, hot dogs, ice cream and beverages.

• The Huntington Beach House is located on Beach & PCH and focuses on a champagne waterfront breakfast and lunch experience with live DJ's for entertainment. The menu features locally-sourced seafood, brunch items, and rotating fresh California eats such as lox, avocado toasts, and poke.

Bolsa Chica State Beach

• SeaSalt Beachside Burger serves up nostalgic California Barbecue. This is not your average burger shack - it serves up Santa Maria-style burgers and hosts a craft beer garden.

• Beach City Provisions offers comfort food and local craft beers along with portable to-go options and sundries for those camping in the nearby RV campsite. A part of the PRJKT Restaurant Group, Beach City Provisions is giving beach concessions a new name.

• Pacific Kitchen, also part of the PRJKT Restaurant Group, offers options that are perfect for a day at the beach such as sustainably caught fish, açaí bowls, and tacos.

If you need more meal options to hit up before heading to the beach or after you leave for the day, see the full range of options here. 

Here are beach safety tips developed by the Huntington Beach Marine Safety Division lifeguards in conjunction with the U.S. Lifesaving Association. 

• Do the stingray shuffle. Shuffle your feet to scare away stingrays.
• Don't panic in rip currents. Swim parallel to the shore until you're out of the current and then swim back to the beach.
• Check conditions. Before entering the water, ask lifeguards about water conditions. Check out the day's surf conditions and weather with our live webcam feed.
• Never swim alone. Use the buddy system so someone will always know where you are.
• Swim sober. Alcohol is not allowed on beaches in California and increases the potential for drowning by lowering body temperature, encouraging risky behavior, and impairing physical ability.
• Know your skill level. Don't overestimate your swimming ability and stay ashore if you don't feel confident swimming.
• Swim near staffed lifeguard towers. Our lifeguards are the best - you'll be much safer if they know where you are.
• Stay in designated areas. Portions of the beach are set aside for swimming and surfing. Keep a safe distance from jetties and the Huntington Beach Pier.
• Reach a hand out. Extend a hand in front of you in shallow breaking water when diving, body surfing, or wiping out on a surfboard.
• Don't dig deep holes. Deep holes can cave in and create hazards for small children. Please refill any holes you dig.
• Do not bring glass to the beach. The last thing you want to run into while walking on the beach barefoot is shards of glass. 

In the event of an emergency, dial 911 from any phone for immediate assistance. For non-emergency matters requiring police, call (714)960-8811.