They call it Surf City USA... and the waves are wonderful
Huntington Beach is a popular seaside city destination in Orange County, Southern California. Nicknamed Surf City USA, it's far from pretentious. Filled with wall-to-wall surf dudes and chicks, it's more casual and cool than self-conscious, a place where the state's real trend-setters weave their magic to create stunning couture, glorious food and – of course - an enviable beachside lifestyle. 10 miles of uninterrupted beaches await you... and the surf's up!
This might be one of the world's most famous surf towns. But there's culture, too.
Put Huntington Beach Art Center, a multi-media fantasy, on your agenda. Or try one of these top class California attractions.
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Huntington Beach Playhouse for fine theatrical entertainment
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The International Surfing Museum
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Walk, cycle, skate or jog the stunning 8.5 mile long Ocean Strand
In Huntington Central Park itself you'll find a full 18 acres of natural landscape, preserved for posterity by the Shipley Nature Center and home to over 200 bird species.
This is the state of endless summer, and the beach itself is one long, unforgettable holiday. Beach volleyball, sunbathing, safe swimming, walking the sand, people-watching and of course the surfers themselves deliver endless entertainment. Bolsa Chica State Beach sits at the northern end of Huntington Beach, where lots of surf schools make their home to take advantage of the smaller waves. But what else is there to do in the city?
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Disneyland, the San Diego Zoo and Hollywood itself are all a stone's throw away
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Deep sea fishing and whale watching
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Wonderful parks, nature reserves and world-class wetlands
Spend time on the sands, take in this little lot and you're bound to come home with a flavour of Huntington Beach so deep and detailed it's almost in your DNA.
This is the pier the Beach Boys were singing about. Huntington Beach Pier is 1850 feet long, the longest in California, a landmark on the USA's pier-rich West Coast.
Surf shops rule the day at Huntington Beach, and vintage shopping comes a close second with increasing numbers of excellent retro outlets opening in town. 5 Points Plaza has won the award for 'Best of Orange County shopping center' for the past 12 years. And, after the sun sets, you'll discover a vibrant place with all sorts of thrilling nightlife, from bars and lounges to super-hot night clubbing. Dolphin cruises are hugely popular, a great way to make friends with these charming, intelligent and sociable denizens of the ocean. And there are so many surf schools you're spoilt for choice - it's almost rude not to give it a go in Surf City.
In summer try the excellent Adventure Playground, where children aged 5-12 can safely play on rafts, rope bridges and mud slides as well as build their own complex forts. Getting good and mucky has never been so much fun. There's always something going on in Huntingon for visitors of every age - the Surf City USA Marathon in February, the Beachcruiser Meet in March, the National Professional Paintball League's Surf City USA Open in April, Concourse d'Elegance in June plus Civil War Days, Surf City Surf Dog Competition and more, for year-round holiday entertainment.