Huntington Beach

1. Huntington Beach Pier

If you keep walking from Main Street and cross the Pacific Coast Highway and the beach, you will end up at the Huntington Beach Pier, one of the top Huntington Beach attractions to see on your romantic day trip.

The iconic heart of the city, it is a pier of indulgence - its only purpose is pure fun. It invites visitors to enjoy a stroll along its 1,850 feet that stretch all the way to the Ruby's Surf City Diner.

It is the place where people come to watch surfers and where surfers come to meet their buddies and discuss the latest opportunities.

The pier is also a favorite among fishermen, even young beginners who are learning how to cast a line from their grandpas. The magical sunsets attract hundreds of tourists every evening. The pier is so picturesque that few hardly think of its rough past.

Built in 1904, it was destroyed by powerful storms on three occasions and once by an earthquake. Originally built entirely of lumber, it is now made of steel reinforced concrete protected by epoxy, and it can withstand almost anything nature wants to throw at it. The pier is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

2. Downtown Huntington Beach

No other city besides Huntington Beach can say that their downtown consists of a pier and the best beach in town, great bars, fabulous restaurants, ice cream shops, nail salons, and fashion boutiques.

Downtown Huntington Beach is made for pleasure in the true spirit of Surf City, USA.

If you are wondering what to do in Huntington Beach today, there is always something happening downtown, but on Tuesdays during Surf City Nights, the city really comes alive.

Three blocks of Main Street are closed for traffic and lined with sidewalk stalls selling everything from farmers’ fresh produce to flowers and crafts. There is music and live performances of all kinds and even kids’ dances, bounce houses, and a pony or two.

3. Huntington Beach State Park

Huntington Beach State Park is located on Pacific Coast Highway, stretching for two miles between Beach Boulevard in Huntington Beach south and the Santa Ana River on the boundary with Newport Beach. Just an hour from Los Angeles, Huntington is the most popular beach in town, and it’s a great place to spend a day surfing, swimming, fishing, taking a stroll by the water, or doing absolutely nothing in the shade of your umbrella.

There are all sorts of facilities for those who cannot sit still and do nothing, from volleyball courts and basketball courts to hiking and biking trails. A paved trail goes for 8.5 miles, connecting Huntington Beach and Bolsa Chica beach. Huntington State Beach is a popular surfing beach, especially in late spring, summer, and the fall, when swells come from the south to produce prime waves. Swimming is fun but the strong current and rip tides make it risky for non-swimmers. Fishermen love Huntington Beach, especially in the summer during Grunion Run, when large crowds enjoy catching fish with their bare hands.

21601 Pacific Coast Hwy, Huntington Beach, CA 92646, 714-536-1454, Map

4. Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve

Bordered by Pacific Coast Highway on one side and residences and oil fields on the other, Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve is a 1,300-acre coastal estuary with a range of habitats, from open water, mudflats, and salt marshes to coastal dunes. It was created as a sanctuary for migratory birds and wildlife and for the protection of the coastal wetlands and endangered species that call it home.

You can walk through the reserve along the five miles of trails and look for resident and migratory birds – there are almost 200 species that are regularly spotted. Visit the Bolsa Chica Wetlands Interpretive Center off Warner Avenue to learn more about the efforts to preserve wetlands and to find out about the scheduled wetland tours given by one of the local conservation groups.

Warner Ave. and PCH, (opposite Bolsa Chica State Beach), Huntington Beach, CA, 714-846-1114, Map

5. Huntington Beach Symphony Orchestra

Music lovers should look no further than the Huntington Beach Symphony Orchestra, which aims to deliver music to the community in all different styles and genres to suit a variety of tastes. To that end they deliver regular concerts throughout the year and also feature a youth choir.

There is also a focus on education through music, and the orchestra runs a series of outreach programs with the aim of making music accessible to all. Aside from their educational endeavors, there are also events dedicated to providing information on all aspects of artistic processes related to music such as presentations on conducting. These events are great for those who want to dig a little deeper.

PO Box 3296, Huntington Beach, CA, 714-275-5524

6. Bolsa Chica State Beach

Don’t let the fact that Bolsa Chica State Beach used to be known as “Tin Can Beach” back in the 1960s put you off the idea of visiting. Nowadays it’s famous for a whole range of outdoor pursuits that don’t involve cans of any kind, and visitors can enjoy surfing the perfect barrels that the waves in the area provide.

If you prefer gentler pursuits then fishing is a popular pastime at this beach as is bird watching. There are picnic areas available if you fancy a bite to eat, and you can work off your lunch by walking along a trail that skirts the beach for over eight miles.

Bolsa Chica State Beach, From Sunset Beach to Seapoint Avenue, Huntington Beach, CA, Phone: 714-846-3460

7. Huntington Harbour

Nestled in a corner of Huntington Beach, Huntington Harbour encircles a cluster of five small islands. Within the harbor and running between the islands are small picturesque waterways that are overlooked by a bustling beachfront featuring dining and shopping options.

Visitors to Huntington Harbour can charter a private boat for a tour of the canals, and the location is also popular with kayakers who can paddle the waters in a safe and relaxed environment. Due to the calm atmosphere there are plenty of opportunities to observe the local flora and fauna, and bird watching is a favorite activity in the area.

Huntington Harbour, 16252 Countess Drive, Huntington Bach, CA 92649, 714-969-3492

8. Huntington Beach Art Center

A community arts center and cultural center in one, the Huntington Beach Art Center is dedicated to presenting and showcasing artworks of all kinds of media by local artists. The aim of the center is to encourage curiosity and promote understanding of contemporary perspectives as well as cultural and historic ones. Every year, the art center makes an open call to the community and receives submissions from up to 300 artists annually, each vying for a spot in the year’s exhibit.

Huntington Beach Art Center, 538 Main Street, Huntington Beach, California 92648; Phone: 714-374-1650

9. International Surfing Museum

If you are curious to know about all things surfing related then be sure to stop at the International Surfing Museum. Their mission is simple: to impart the local love of surfing by taking visitors through the historical and cultural significance of the sport as well as showcasing rare and restored surfboards in their revolving collections.

Particularly noteworthy attractions include pieces such as motorized surfboards as well as a whole wealth of other surf related memorabilia. It is also said that the museum is a great place to come if you want some insider tips on the best places to surf in the area.

411 Olive Avenue, Huntington Beach, CA 92648, 714-960-3483, Map

10. Huntington Central Park

Sprawling over 300 acres, Huntington Central Park is the largest park owned by the state in the Orange County area and has a whole range of outdoor activities to suit all visitors. There are fire pits suitable for barbecuing as well as picnic areas and lush lawns perfect for playing games like Frisbee or simply relaxing with family and friends.

There are marked trails for those who want to go for a walk or jog as well as a flower garden showing off the local flora and fauna. Sporting events are held throughout the year and biking and fishing are also popular pursuits in the park.

Huntington Central Park, 18100 Goldenwest Street, Huntington Beach, CA 92647, 714-536-5486