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There is seemingly endless sand to lay or play on and great waves to surf or bodysurf in (which are bigger in winter). There is over 8 miles of uninterrupted beachfront with a two lane trail on which to walk, jog, skate or bike.
Huntington State Beach stretches for about 2 miles of this coast, and comes complete with lifeguard stands, restrooms, showers, bike and beach rentals, snack shacks and fire pits. Huntington City Beach is similar, but smaller, and includes the Huntington Beach Pier where people fish, roller blade and people watch. The pier is also host to a variety of events such as a farmer’s market, art festival and even an annual rubber duck race. The city beach is also where the international surfing championships are usually held.
SURFING You can rent surfboards and bodyboards at Zack's Beach Concessions, which is located near the pier. You can also rent wetsuits. If you want a surfing lesson, they can hook you up with that as well. Speaking of surf lessons, many Southern California beaches offer summer surf camps for kids.
Just off the pier on Main Street is a couple of blocks of surf shops, cafes and eateries. Around the corner at 411 Olive Street is the International Surfing Museum in a very cool looking Art Deco building.
The museum is small (2000 sq. ft.), but sweet, with an in depth look at the history and culture of surfing, not only in Huntington Beach, but around the world. There is a collection of unique surfboards, contest posters and surfing memorablilia of all kinds. They charge a mere $2 to get in and browse around.
Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve
GONDOLA RIDE AT HUNTINGTON HARBOR
At the north end of Huntington Beach is Sunset Beach and Huntington Harbor. You can cruise the canals in romantic style with a private Huntington Harbor Gondola Ride.
ANNUAL EVENTS In February is the Huntington Beach Kite Party, a festival for kite lovers. It's a casual event, where people bring all kinds of unusual kites and fly them just to the north side of the pier. Expert kite flyers and a kite team do demonstrations to music.
In June is a public Pier Swim Competition, in July, the US Open of Surfing and Beach Games, and September holds a surfing contest for locals. GETTING THERE Huntington Beach California is located in Orange County, south of Long Beach and north of Newport Beach. The most convenient airport to arrive by is John Wayne-Orange County Airport in Santa Ana, but LAX and Long Beach Airport are other possibilities. WHERE TO STAYIN HUNTINGTON BEACH CALIFORNIA Accommodation options include hotels, motels, a hostel, beach house rentals, and two waterfront resorts. RV camping is available at Huntington State Beach, a private campground across the highway and at Bolsa Chica State Beach just to the north. For hotel accommodations, there are many, but right across from the beach is the
Hilton Huntington Beach resort.
Huntington Beach California is a great vacation spot for those who love playing/surfing/swimming in the ocean or just want to sample and enjoy the classic Southern California surfing scene.
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