Immortalized by a hit Beach Boys song, this Californian beach is famous for its surfing culture and laid-back atmosphere.
Known for having some of the most consistent waves on America’s west coast, Huntington Beach is a famous surfing destination located in Orange County in Southern California. Head here in any season and you’re sure to see professional surfers on the waves the city hosts about 50 surfing events throughout the year. Amongst these is the U.S. Open of Surfing, which welcomes internationally famed surfers such as Kelly Slater. Settled by Europeans in the 1780s, Huntington Beach was immortalized in the 1960s by two songs. The first was Jan and Dean’s Surf City, and the second was The Beach Boys' Surfin’ Safari. Huntington Beach is all about the water, so join the crowds at the 8.5 miles (13.7 kilometres) of continuous coastline. Rent a surfboard and try out the waves yourself, or stay on the beach and watch the action.For a change of scenery, head to Main Street and visit the Downtown area of Huntington Beach. Here you’ll find shops, cafés and restaurants, and major attractions, including the International Surf Museum, Huntington Beach Art Centre, and the weekly arts and crafts exhibitions of Art-A-Faire. At Longboard Restaurant and Pub you can sample a variety of beers inside Huntington Beach’s oldest standing building. Don’t miss out on the Surf City Nights, held every Tuesday. Listen to live music, watch street performers and shop at the farmer’s market. Continue down Main Street in the direction of the sea and you’ll come to Huntington Beach Pier, one of the longest piers in California. From here, enjoy permit-free fishing and uninterrupted views of the surfing competitions. At the end of the pier is Ruby’s Diner, a great location for sunset photos.As the main sights are grouped closely together, getting around on foot is easy in Huntington Beach. If you want to explore nearby attractions, consider renting a bike and heading north along the Huntington Beach Bike Trail. Stop off at Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve to spot migratory birds and reptiles. At Huntington Harbour you can kayak along the waterways while admiring the luxury houses.
