As one of the world’s most storied surf destinations, Huntington Beach has attracted generations of wave-riders from every corner of the globe. But you don’t need a board to make the most of its 10 miles of some of California’s best coastline. Slow down and devote a long weekend to discovering this complex, easygoing city of craft breweries, farm-to-table kitchens, bohemian boutiques, old-world ateliers, and coastal wetlands—all wrapped in the kind of laid-back, sun-drenched energy that Southern California does better than anywhere else.
Check into Paséa and take a walk in the Secret Garden
Taking a soak in one of Huntington Beach’s many tranquil spas
Courtesy of Visit Huntington Beach
Your arrival should be easy—it’s a short drive from John Wayne (SNA) and Long Beach (LGB) Airports. Once you’ve checked into Paséa Hotel & Spa, take a moment to slow down to local speed. Relax with a poolside cabana and the soundtrack of the Pacific to set your internal clock to Surf City USA® time.
When you’re ready to explore, head to Huntington Central Park to visit the Secret Garden, where you can stroll at your own pace among coastal California flora that defines this region. To work up a bit of a sweat, check out one of the donation-based yoga classes hosted right on the sands of Huntington City Beach. Unwind even more back at the resort with a visit to Aarna Spa for a sea stone massage or an Intuitive Energy Healing session.
For dinner, you have an enchanted place like Lōrea right on the hotel grounds. Set against the sea for the perfect sunset, the restaurant has an expressive, eclectic menu. Highlights include seared scallops with pickled golden raisins, a whole fried fish with gochujang glaze for two, and their own take on oshizuhi, or pressed crispy sushi.
Shopping from Pacific City to Main Street
The lively Huntington Beach restaurant scene
Courtesy of Visit Huntington Beach
Get oriented with a visit to Pacific City, the open-air shopping complex perched alongside the hotel and just above the sand, whose surfer-chic boutiques carry everything from graphic tees to handcrafted jewelry to help you bring the spirit of Huntington Beach home with you. Then, make your way to Main Street, where you can do some more browsing—and people-watching—as you familiarize yourself to the sights and sounds of Downtown Huntington Beach.
As the sun sets into the Pacific, the bars of Main Street come alive, but for a more romantic evening, take the elevator to the rooftop at Jolie and The Belle, where you can start with a cocktail, transition to its impressive wine list, and enjoy a simple, yet elegant take on California cuisine.
Surf lessons, nature tours, and a brewery visit
In Huntington Beach, there’s a wave for every rider, even dogs.
Courtesy of Visit Huntington Beach
No trip to Huntington Beach is complete without an actual dip in the ocean. With a surf lesson from Corky Carroll’s Surf School, even first-timers can catch a view of the city from atop their very own wave.
Nature lovers will want to follow it with a short walk to Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve, a 1,300-acre coastal wetland reserve just north of the main beach. Here, you can join a guided wetland tour with Amigos de Bolsa Chica, a volunteer-led conservation group whose guides will bring the migratory bird populations and rare plant communities to life, with regular sightings of herons, egrets, and the occasional peregrine falcon.
For lunch, Beach City Provisions serves casual sandwiches and salads alongside a rotating menu of live music al fresco. Sea Salt at the Beach brings Central Texas-style BBQ, line dancing, and more southern flavor to Bolsa Chica State Beach. If you’re looking for a different vibe, check out the live music calendar at Central Park Amphitheater, where programming runs from spring through fall and covers everything from classical to indie rock, or get in a round of disc golf before night falls.
Make some friends over a pint of double dry-hopped hazy IPA and some trivia at Green Cheek Beer Co., or with Huntington Beach’s own Riip Beer & Pizzeria, which pairs its laid-back surf-shop atmosphere with wood-fired pies and a small, thoughtfully-crafted tap list. For a less casual meal, Captain Jack’s has been serving some of the best surf ‘n turf in Sunset Beach since 1965, and ending the night with a Captain’s Margarita will keep the good vibes coming.
Check out Old World Village
Further afield, Old World Village is a genuinely charming detour. Located a short drive from downtown, this Bavarian-themed village has artisan markets, seasonal festivals, and an eclectic mix of specialty shops including a German deli and an authentic—and surprisingly stylish—boutique dealing entirely in dirndls and lederhosen.
Nearby, Pacific City’s Nardò brings Southern Italy to Southern California, with Neapolitan pizza cooked in a wood-burning oven, plus other favorites including zuppa di pesce (seafood stew), lobster ravioli, and house-made fettuccine with a wild boar ragù.
Where to stay in Huntington Beach
Many hotels are family friendly with pools and other amenities in Huntington Beach
Courtesy of Visit Huntington Beach
For hotels, book the family-friendly Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach or The Waterfront Beach Resort, which lives up to its name with a prime beachfront location. To take a deeper dive into what makes this part of California so worthy of further exploration, check out SurfCityUSA.com.
