Things To Do In Huntington Beach, CA
With temperatures ranging from 65° to 80°, the weather affords several free, fun things to do in Huntington Beach, CA for a day trip, weekend, or when visiting. Downtown Main Street features many shops, restaurants, bars, hotels and of some of the best sunsets. Known as Surf City USA, a song made famous by Jan and Dean, the city was awarded the trademark in 2006. Huntington Beach was chosen as the 2015 Best California Beach By USA Today readers.
If your packing your suitcase for a West Coast trip, this is a must. Parking is $15 or metered parking for $1.50 an hour. During nighttime, temps do get cool. It’s recommended to bring a jacket. See our online Here’s our list of what to do in Huntington Beach, CA for the weekend, friends, or while on vacation.
1. Rent a Bike. Cost: $10 but affordable. Rent a bike to ride along the boardwalk in HB. Bargain Bike Rentals has bike rentals for $10.00 all day. How can you beat that? I don’t know either. 311 5th St. Tel: (714) 362–5868.
2. Volleyball. Cost: FREE. With many free public volleyball nets on the beach, it’s one of the best fun things to do in Huntington Beach, CA. Please be advised that occasionally scheduled events will limit availability. Check with the Community Services Department. (714) 536–5486.
3. Bonfire at the Fire Pits. Cost: FREE. Fun and relaxing. Roast marsh mellows and some hot dogs with friends. First come, first served. Firewood is available at concessions or at local stores. There are two options: Bolsa Chica or Huntington State Beach. General Inquiries: (714) 846–3460. Hours are 6 a.m. -10 p.m. every day.
NOTE: Don’t burn wood palettes. They can contain nails which could explode and injure.
5. Relax on the State Beach. Cost: FREE. It’s a no brainer! With the great waves and 8 miles of sand, it’s sun and surf. SOCAL style. Lifeguards on duty for the kids. Strong waves with a clean beach. TIP: use the lifeguard towers as a point of reference for meet ups.
6. Walk on The Huntington Beach Pier: A must thing to do and see. Cost: FREE.
Take a stroll on the pier, the hub of downtown. Built in 1903 and repaired many times due to storms, it has endured. Made of concrete it’s the longest pier in Orange County, CA at 1,850 feet. Watch the surfers. Curfew is at midnight. The Huntington Beach Pier address is Pacific Coast Highway and Main Street.
7. Skateboard. Cost: FREE. It’s not HB without skateboarding. Vans Off the Wall Skateboard park. 7471 Center Avenue. Tel: (714) 379–6666. Free and open to the public 7 days a week, 9am — dusk. All skaters required to have a helmet and sign a waiver. Skaters under 18 are required to wear knee and elbow pads.
Bolsa Chica Wetlands & Reserve
8. Experience the Bolsa Chica Wildlife Reserve. Cost: FREE. From pelicans, owls, hummingbirds, experience a wildlife mecca. The reserve is 1,400 acres of pristine beauty. It might not look like much but once you get onto the footbridge, a different story unfolds. Hours: 6am-8pm every day. Interpretive Center is open from 9am-4pm every day. 3842 Warner Avenue. Telephone: (714) 846–1114
9. Surf City Nights. Cost: FREE. A weekly street fair comprised of farmers market, live music, flowers, and sidewalk sales. With lots of kid’s activities, it’s held every Tuesday from 5pm to 9pm. Three blocks of downtown Main Street are shutdown.
10. International Surfing Museum. Cost: FREE. Hours: Opens at 12 noon. Very Small but worthwhile. It’s packed full of memorabilia. And did I mention it’s FREE? 411 Olive Ave. Telephone 714–960–3483.
11. Take a Surfing Lesson. Yes, seriously. This is Surf City USA! With the help of Catalina Island there are great swells which offers consistent surfing conditions. HB Surf School. Lessons from $75. Tel: 714–658–6873. Already an avid surfer? The surf report is available by telephone. (714) 536–9303.
12. Disc Golf. Cost: Inexpensive. $1.00 on weekdays and $2.00 on weekends. It’s the only frisbee golf course in Orange County, CA Address: Golden W St. Tel: Phone: (714) 425–9931.
13. Huntington Dog Beach. Cost: Mostly free. Parking is $1.50 an hour. First a few rules: Dogs with good dispositions are welcomed. Some dogs just don’t mix with others. Aggressive behavior is forbidden. Picking up after your dog is not only required but expected. This place is big on etiquette. Take fido for a great day of surf and sand. 100 Goldenwest Street. Open 7 days a week, dawn until dusk. Parking lot between Seapoint and Goldenwest. hours 6am-10pm.
14. Visit Main Street in Downtown Huntington Beach. With over 250 shops, there is a lot to choose from. Main Street just celebrated its centennial in June 2014. Enjoy a mix of old and new. Free parking can be had if you don’t mind walking a few blocks. It can be crowded and parking is not inexpensive. On Tuesday nights there is a farmer’s market to pick up fresh fruits and veggies.
15. Surf City Comedy Club. Cost: Tickets: $18.00. Considered a hidden gem of a comedy club by the Bella Terra shopping mall. 7227 Edinger Ave. Tel: 949.287.3161. Free parking.
16. Huntington Beach Central Park. Cost: FREE. Over 350 acres with a lot of wildlife: hummingbird, waterfowl etc. Feed ducks, walk the many paths, take fido to the dog park, go biking, running, or enjoy a picnic on one of the large fields. There is also frisbee golf. Several events throughout the year include: civil war re-enactment, cherry flower blooms, concert in the park series.
Inside is the Shipley Nature Center consisting of 18 acres of California Native Habitat. Rated as one of the top bird watching spots in Orange County. Adjacent to the library. 18000 Goldenwest. Curfew: 10:00 pm to 5:00 am. Tel: (714) 536–5486 or (714) 536–5230 for Field Rentals. NOTE: Watch for coyotes at dusk. Free parking.
17. Gondola thru the canals. Bring the wine and they bring the ice bucket. Fair enough. Cost: Starts at $80 for two for 40 minutes. Sunset Gondola, 16370 Pacific Coast Hwy. Hours 11am to 11 pm. Tel: (562) 592–3295. Free Parking. For Huntington Beach activities, this is tough to beat.
18. CloudMover Day Spa. Get a hot stone massage and take a journey to relaxation. They also have a variety of facials to feel refreshed. 18685 Main St, Ste 104. Appointments: Tel: (714) 842–3600.
Notable events happen throughout the year. Here are some additional Huntington Beach things to do.
1. US Open Surf Championship. A weeklong event held every summer typically in late July. It has features some of the biggest names in surf including Kelly Slater, Rob Machado, Andy Irons, and Brett Simpson.
2.Surfing Walk of Fame. Prior to the championship, there is a ceremony. Follow the walk of fame along Main and PCH.
3. Professional Volleyball. Cost: FREE. The Association of Volleyball Professionals hosts a championship typically in late summer. See of some of the best battle it out.General admission is free. Tickets available for premium seating areas. 1 Main Street.
4. Kite Party in March. This event typically takes place early to mid march. It has professionals from all over the USA demonstrating their skills. It is held at the pier and there is a separate area for the public. Get your kite on!
5. BMX Bowl Contest in July. This takes places during the Surf Championship. Catch the best bicycle motocross professionals compete with radical moves.
6. Surf City Marathon in February. A 10 mile marathon that takes place yearly on the morning of Super Bowl Sunday. There is also a half marathon. This event draws runners from all 50 states and 19 countries! It starts on PCH at Huntington Street with the finish line 100 yards from the starting line. It features live music and a beer garden.
6. Concours d’Elegance in June. Established in 1986, it is held in Huntington Central Park. The event features current to classic automobiles. A must see for any car enthusiast.
7. Annual Surf Contest at the pier. Cost: $35.00 per person. Men and women of all ages compete Sponsored by the community service dept. Participation limited to those residing in the Huntington Beach Union High School District.
8. Halloween Fest in Downtown. Cost: FREE Petting zoo, bouncy houses, and a costume contest for kids. McGruff the crime dog or Smoky the Bear have been known to show up in years past.
About Huntington Beach, CA: Pier, Downtown
Huntington Beach, CA is an oceanside city located in Orange County, CA. The population is estimated at 197,575 according to a 2013 census. It ranks as the 4th largest city in Orange County, CA. The beach city takes its name from businessman Henry Edwards Huntington. Born in Oneonta, NY, he joined the railroad company owned by his uncle*. Eventually Mr. Huntington moved the family to Los Angeles in 1902 where he became a real estate and railroad tycoon. His indelible legacy includes museums, gardens, and an everlasting presence on Southern California. Synonymous with surfing culture, the official car for the city is the Woody station wagon. Huntington Beach, California hosts one of the premier events: the U.S. Open Surfing Championship. At present, it’s the most populated beach city in Orange County with 197,575 according to the last 2013 census.
The Huntington Beach Pier, located on Pacific Coast Highway and Main Street, is the iconic landmark for the city. It is the fifth longest pier in California. A popular place for surfers, ideal surfing conditions are made year round caused by Catalina Island. Home to the U.S. Open of Surfing in July, an annual event that’s held for 1 week.
In downtown referred to as Main Street, home to over 250 businesses you’ll find chain stores to boutiques. It extends to 4 blocks. Parking is easy to find but not inexpensive. You can purchase souvenirs, bathing suits, t-shirts etc.
Getting around: Take the Free Surf City Downtown Shuttle and park for free at City Hall. Starts in May and ends in September but its sometimes extended. Fri: 10 am to 10 pm. Sat: 10 am to 10 pm, Sun: 10 am to 8 pm. Shuttle starts at the Hilton’s Waterfronr Beach Resort and ends at Bella Terra Shopping Mall. No Pets or folding chairs allowed. Tel (714) 536–5582
For bicyclists, free bike valet is available at Pedego, 5th street and Olive avenue.
Sources: *Huntington.Org
Surfer Photo Courtesy of By Mcclane2010
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Originally published at www.thehangoutrestaurant.com on May 19, 2015.
