There’s a stretch of coastline in Southern California where summer break never seems to end—where the sound of crashing waves, the smell of salty sea air, and the sight of a cloudless blue sky make you feel like a kid again. Huntington Beach offers new ways to experience a timeless beach vacation from sea to shore. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or you’ve been coming here since childhood, this classic Orange County destination helps turn back the clock, slow down, and let the pace of the waves set your itinerary. Here’s how to make the most of it.
Walk along the Huntington Beach Pier
The beach with the Huntington Beach Pier in the background
Courtesy of Visit Huntington Beach
If you’re an early riser, you can glimpse the particularly golden side of the Golden State, as the early morning sun casts the city in an unforgettable glow. Camera in hand, take a deep breath of the fresh, salty air as you hit the boardwalk before the crowds arrive, then head to IYKYK Coffee Lab for an iced coffee.
From there, it’s a short walk to the Huntington Beach Pier, an Orange County icon dating to 1914, when it was the tallest and longest structure of its kind in the country. As the sky changes from orange to purple to blue, see if you can spot the surfers paddling out to their usual posts while pelicans glide low over the water.
Once you’ve had enough time to reflect on the beauty of the scene, walk a block up Main Street to Sugar Shack, a beloved diner-style spot that’s been serving up the classics since 1967. There may be a line, but if you can snag a table outside, it’ll be worth it.
Check out the surfing and skateboarding scene
Surfing continues to be a popular pastime in Huntington Beach.
Courtesy of Visit Huntington Beach
It’s called Surf City USA for a reason. For more than 100 years, the swells of Huntington Beach have been attracting legends like Duke Kahanamoku, Freida Zamba, and the Hole in the Wall Gang surf crew. Of the many opportunities to rent or buy a board, try Huntington Surf and Sport right along the Pacific Coast Highway. Even if you aren’t here to ride the waves, you can still soak in the history as a spectator.
Check out a monument to this heritage by seeing the World’s Largest Surfboard, located downtown off 5th Street and Olive Avenue. In 2015, more than 60 surfers—professionals, former U.S. Open of Surfing winners, Surfing Walk and Surfers’ Hall of Fame inductees, youth surf champions, celebrities, and local heroes—all rode the 42-foot-long board on the southside of the Huntington Beach Pier.
Huntington Beach has surfing in its DNA.
Courtesy of Visit Huntington Beach
Other sports have also made waves in Huntington Beach. Skaters have been doing their thing around the pier and throughout the city since the 1970s. Today, you can see some of the best of the best hone their skills across nearly 40,000 square feet of bowls, rails, and stair sets—and even get a classic burger and fries onsite at Bunz—with a visit to Vans Off The Wall Skatepark.
Shop Pacific City
Soaking in the sun at Pacific City.
Courtesy of Visit Huntington Beach
Odds are good that you’ll want to devote a few hours to visiting Pacific City, the shopping center overlooking the sea just a few blocks from Main Street. Before you start browsing, you can get a round in at Sticks and Stones Clubhouse, a modern sports bar with a laid-back attitude, great views, and a full-fledged golf simulator. From there, visit the nearby Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream or Parlor Doughnuts for some sweets.
Go shopping for vintage and stay at the beachfront Kimpton Shorebreak Resort
There are many excellent boutiques to browse around Pacific City, but to honor Huntington Beach’s proud musical legacy—which includes “California Sound” pioneers Jan and Dean, surf guitar hero Dick Dale, and many more—head a block off of Main Street to 1 Look Vintage, a vast, eclectic shop where you can go crate-digging through an impressive vinyl collection, shop sharp looks from decades past, or find some otherwise unexpected treasure among its aisles.
If you’d like to catch a live show, head to the open-air Pier Plaza for an impromptu jam session among the locals. You can also see live music at one of the many pubs along Main Street.
When the time comes to call it a night, you can stay right on the sand. Kimpton Shorebreak Resort is perhaps the most surf-centric option in town, with boards available to rent, a location just steps from Main Street on the Strand, and a laid-back, stylish Surf City USA® vibe.
For more ideas on how to turn back the clock in this sun-drenched city just in time for summer, check out SurfCityUSA.com.
