Huntington Beach: Best Beaches in California

ByLisa Dworkin Hours

Photo courtesy of Lisa Dworkin. All rights reserved.

Beach Personality: “Surf City” Says It All.

Photo courtesy of Lisa Dworkin. All rights reserved.

Huntington Beach

Huntington Beach, California calls itself “Surf City USA” because of its “8.5 miles of uninterrupted beaches”, the “most consistent waves on the West Coast”, and its “mild and mellow beach culture”. The Orange County Register called Huntington City Beach the 2nd best beach in Orange County in 2012. In addition to the US Open of Surfing, the beach is the site of numerous other surfing and volleyball competitions annually.

Huntington City Beach is both long and wide with beige, slightly coarse sand and green water. The water’s color is unusual. It’s not emerald green like in the tropics, but more of a dark, kelly green. Parallel to the beach is the ubiquitous Southern California paved path providing opportunities for walking, running, biking, skateboarding, and rollerblading.

Besides all the terrific attributes already mentioned, Huntington City Beach is where you will find Dwight’s, home of “World Famous Cheese Strips.” What are cheese strips, you wonder? They are thin, hand-cut fried tortilla strips with melted cheese and Dwight’s special sauce — “a sauce that’s both slightly sweet and savory”. Anne, a local woman now in her 50s, says she still has to have Dwight’s cheese strips whenever she comes to the beach.

The downside—for some—is the beach often gets very crowded and dirty, and it is known as a party beach.

Photo courtesy of Lisa Dworkin. All rights reserved.

Beach Activities:

  • Surfing
  • Boogie boarding
  • Bodysurfing
  • Swimming
  • Fishing
  • Volleyball
  • Kite flying
  • Lounging

Beach Amenities:

  • Public bathrooms – Yes.
  • Showers – Yes.
  • Parking – Yes, for a fee in the beach parking lots.
  • Food – Yes, lots of options within walking distance.
  • Lifeguard – Yes.
  • Dogs allowed on the beach – No.

Additional amenities – drinking fountains, pier, ATMs, paved path, shopping, frequent events.

Beach Rentals:

Yes, along the beachfront path and in the main business district.

Zack’s is right on the path by the pier and has rentals, food, a small shop, and offers surf lessons. Zack’s rents bikes, surfboards, wetsuits, rash guards, boogie boards, fins, skim boards, beach umbrellas, beach chairs, volleyballs, footballs, and soccer balls.

Dwight’s also has rentals and food. Dwight’s rents bikes, surfboards, boogie boards, wet suits, swim fins, beach umbrellas, beach chairs, and volleyballs.

Directions:

Huntington City Beach is located along the Pacific Coast Highway in Huntington Beach. The beach’s geographical center is the pier, which is at 300 Pacific Coast Highway (PCH and Main St), Huntington Beach, CA 92648.

To many joyful beach experiences!

— Lisa Dworkin

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