Curator’s statement
Huntington Beach, California is the perfect beach destination year-round! It's home to the biggest 4th of July parade west of the Mississippi River, the U.S. Open of Surfing, the Pacific Airshow, AVP Beach Volleyball Open and more! Whether you're looking to book a romantic weekend away, a trip with friends, a solo trip to recharge or a fun-filled family vacation, Huntington Beach is always a great choice. In the winter, there is even a beachfront ice skating rink, a Christmas parade and a Huntington Harbor Cruise of Lights to view the beauty of thousands of lights and animated displays.
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Where to stay in Huntington Beach, CA
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Things to do in Huntington Beach, CA
Have a Beach Day
There's no need to bring everything with you, as many of the hotels provide beach towels and gear to take down to the beach. There are also options to rent items down at the beach.
Ride Bikes along the Beach
Your hotel may include free bike rentals, and if it does not, there are local shops that make renting a bike easy. Check out Jack’s Beach Concession, Dwight's Beach Concession and Rad Power Bikes.
Have a Beach Bonfire
Your hotel can arrange one for you at an extra cost. Public beaches also have first come, first served beach bonfire pits, which are available to use until 10pm, daily. If you decide to coordinate and plan your own beach bonfire, there are stores nearby that sell all the necessities, such as firewood, fire starters and all of the s'mores fixings!
Play Beach Volleyball
There are volleyball nets that are available on the south side of the Huntington Beach pier, as well as on PCH and Newland Ave. Bring your own group or seek out groups who may allow you to join in and play for fun!
Listen to Live Music
Many restaurants downtown have live music on specific days and nights, such as Duke’s and 25 Degrees. Seasonally, hotels will also offer live music nights during the summer months, such as at the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach.
Shop at Pacific City
Pacific City is worth a stop for a coffee, browsing makeup, clothing stores and/or grabbing lunch or dinner with an ocean view!
Venture Away from the Beach
Huntington Beach has many hidden gems, such as a Central Park with a Central Library that has a secret garden, an urban garden and a restaurant on the lake with cinnamon roll pancakes!
Explore Huntington Harbor
Rent a private charter from Prince Charters. Rent stand-up paddle boards or kayaks at OC Paddlesports and paddle around the Harbor or rent a duffy boat at Huntington Harbor Boat Rentals.
Day Trips: Crystal Cove State Park
Crystal Cove State Park is a must! Enjoy a beautiful hike with an ocean view, followed by lunch or dinner at the Crystal Cove Shake Shack or The Beachcomber at Crystal Cove. Reservations are highly recommended for The Beachcomber and plan for time to walk and explore the Historic District and the beach area.
Sunsets there are gorgeous! The Beachcomber also has a fun bar with live music to check out if you are kid-free. It even now has fire pit packages and a beach express menu for the summer. You can also affordably rent beach chairs and umbrellas down at the beach that the staff will even set up for you to enjoy.
Places to eat & drink in Huntington Beach, CA
An elegant, Hawai'ian-themed restaurant right on the pier with some of the best views in town. It's worth dressing up and having a proper meal in the dining room. Or, you can just stop in and sit at the bar for some drinks and food. They make a delicious mai tai and amazing nachos. They have great specials in the bar area, such as Taco Tuesday and Aloha Friday, with ample ocean-view seating. The hula pie is a must-try for dessert!
Our go-to spot for happy hour, with delicious drinks and burgers! We also love their deviled eggs and bacon-wrapped dates.
A delicious brunch destination that doesn’t disappoint for lunch or dinner either. They make a great fried chicken and waffles and bloody Mary. They also have a weekday happy hour, a different theme from Monday to Friday, such as “Where’s my wife Wednesday” and “Kids eat free Thursday.”
Fresh Gourmet Bagels & Café
A small, hole-in-the-wall bagel shop with amazing bagels and bagel breakfast sandwiches that are a must-try for breakfast! It's located in the Beach and Atlanta shopping center.
HB Corner Market
A hidden gem in Huntington for amazing breakfast items and coffee as well as weekend themed pizza nights and grab-and-go items! Follow them on Instagram before your trip to get an idea of what events and themed nights might be happening while you're in town.
Upscale Mexican food with a view located in Pacific City. They serve fresh guacamole, great tacos, yummy margaritas and a delicious Caesar salad (pro tip: add the ribeye steak to the Caesar salad and make it a meal!).
The Huntington Beach location is in Pacific City. You can’t beat the view here, and it is a great place to stop in for delicious fresh poke and other seafood by the pound.
It's worth a trip to the Huntington Harbour to get your hands on their tasty pasta dishes. Everything is good and the portions are big and hearty. They even make a garlic pizza bread that is a must-add to any pasta order.
Offshore 9 Rooftop Bar
Located at the Waterfront Hilton Hotel, a must-stop for drinks and small bites at sunset!
Need to know
As a local who has been living and working in Huntington Beach for over ten years, I would love to be your go-to resource to create a custom itinerary to make the most of this amazing city!
Travel Advisor
Kara Smith
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