Huntington Beach

Huntington Beach is in Orange County in Southern California. Once known as Pacific City, it started as the southern terminus of the Golden West railroad line.

Huntington Beach is world-famous as "Surf City", from the 1960s Jan and Dean surf rock song of the same name, and much of surfing culture started and continues to evolve there, from surfing styles to surfing apparel companies that started there. Huntington Beach is also mentioned by name in the Beach Boys song "Surfin' Safari", where "at Huntington and Malibu they're shooting the pier".

The year-round temperature averages 67 degrees F, and good weather can be had every month, though the months of January to March can be rainy.

• Bolsa Chica Wetlands. Huntington Beach boasts the largest unspoiled coastal wetlands in California where many migratory birds stop and nest.
• Huntington Beach Pier. the second most popular sight here, after the beach itself.
• Main Street. is a shopping and gathering place for residents and tourists alike, with sidewalk cafes, surf shops and live music all vying for attention.

Bolsa Chica Wetlands. Huntington Beach boasts the largest unspoiled coastal wetlands in California where many migratory birds stop and nest.

Huntington Beach Pier. the second most popular sight here, after the beach itself.

Main Street. is a shopping and gathering place for residents and tourists alike, with sidewalk cafes, surf shops and live music all vying for attention.

• Huntington Beach. has some of the largest stretches of open-sand beaches in all of California, as well the Huntington Beach Pier (one of the longest concrete piers in the world), site of world-class surfing and volleyball events yearly.
• Running/Walking/biking/rollerblading. There is a wide boardwalk right by the pier. It is part of the Huntington Beach Bike Path. The Bike Path runs for about eight miles along the beach. Heading south along the boardwalk is likely your best scenic scenario. Walking, riding a bike, running are all very safe. Many very good runners first thing in the morning - often as soon as the sun comes up.
• Surfing. You can try your hand at surfing. There is a surf rental shop right at the boardwalk. Start with a boogie board for the day circa $15 US. There are many good surfers so they may get annoyed if you stand in the waves too long. Keep moving; this is your best bet. If you get tired get out (of their way) by heading to the hot sandy beach to rest up for more.
• Relaxing. Take a walk up the Main street. There are a number of restaurants and a Starbucks.
• Partying. There are so many bars on Main St. that you can meet with friends at any of them and have a great time drinking, dining, or dancing. During the winter, you can organize a "pub crawl" and have your group stop for a drink at every bar.
• Nickel Nickel, 7454 Edinger Ave (Moving to 12827 Harbor Blvd. On weekend nights, the Huntington Beach video game arcade where everything costs only nickels to play is packed with teenagers.

Peak season is from late May to early September. The beaches on any given summer day may have as many as 500,000 visitors when it is particularly hot inland.

Huntington Beach. has some of the largest stretches of open-sand beaches in all of California, as well the Huntington Beach Pier (one of the longest concrete piers in the world), site of world-class surfing and volleyball events yearly.

Running/Walking/biking/rollerblading. There is a wide boardwalk right by the pier. It is part of the Huntington Beach Bike Path. The Bike Path runs for about eight miles along the beach. Heading south along the boardwalk is likely your best scenic scenario. Walking, riding a bike, running are all very safe. Many very good runners first thing in the morning - often as soon as the sun comes up.

Surfing. You can try your hand at surfing. There is a surf rental shop right at the boardwalk. Start with a boogie board for the day circa $15 US. There are many good surfers so they may get annoyed if you stand in the waves too long. Keep moving; this is your best bet. If you get tired get out (of their way) by heading to the hot sandy beach to rest up for more.

Relaxing. Take a walk up the Main street. There are a number of restaurants and a Starbucks.

Partying. There are so many bars on Main St. that you can meet with friends at any of them and have a great time drinking, dining, or dancing. During the winter, you can organize a "pub crawl" and have your group stop for a drink at every bar.

Nickel Nickel, 7454 Edinger Ave (Moving to 12827 Harbor Blvd. On weekend nights, the Huntington Beach video game arcade where everything costs only nickels to play is packed with teenagers.

• Bella Terra. The newest mall in town, this upscale transformation of what once was the Huntington Mall has turned a small, unpopular shadow of a mall into a vibrant city center. Located just off the 405 at the Edinger exit it is a treasure trove of restaurants, shops and areas to socialize. The Cinemark movie theater opens up to a courtyard that regularly plays host to musical performances, dance shows, and other fun activities. Second only to downtown in the number of restaurants there is no shortage of choices for food. From sushi at Kabuki to burgers at Johnny Rockets, to the eponymous dessert at The Cheesecake Factory Bella Terra is the locals' favorite for a fun night out.
• Huntington Surf and Sport, 300 Pacific Coast Highway (Located off of Pacific Coast Highway and Main St. Surf accessories and apparel.

Bella Terra. The newest mall in town, this upscale transformation of what once was the Huntington Mall has turned a small, unpopular shadow of a mall into a vibrant city center. Located just off the 405 at the Edinger exit it is a treasure trove of restaurants, shops and areas to socialize. The Cinemark movie theater opens up to a courtyard that regularly plays host to musical performances, dance shows, and other fun activities. Second only to downtown in the number of restaurants there is no shortage of choices for food. From sushi at Kabuki to burgers at Johnny Rockets, to the eponymous dessert at The Cheesecake Factory Bella Terra is the locals' favorite for a fun night out.

Huntington Surf and Sport, 300 Pacific Coast Highway (Located off of Pacific Coast Highway and Main St. Surf accessories and apparel.

• Fred's Mexican Cafe, 300 Pacific Coast Hwy. Ph (714)374-TACO. Great Mexican food & the best Margaritas north of Tijuana. There is no better view of the Huntington Beach pier than Fred's patio. Good prices and a favorite of the locals!
• Chronic Tacos, 328 11th St, +1 714 960-0339. Located a few blocks from downtown, this place offers a full menu of extremely tasty tacos, burritos, and other Mexican cuisine served from behind a counter. Prices for a giant burrito are around $5.50 (includes guacamole, cheese, meat, and a choice of other fillings). Two pool tables are also available for $0.75 per game.
• Islands, 7861 Edinger Ave, +1 714 897-4619. A Californian chain, this is a great place for family, serving hamburgers, salads, and hotdogs.
• Matsu Japanese Restaurant, 18035 Beach Blvd, +1 714 848-4404. Japanese restaurant with nice atmosphere and a red-lit sushi bar. The prices are good for quality sushi. Try the lunch time menu offered during the weekdays which includes bento-box meals that are enormous for about $10, and the sushi and sashimi lunch specials are half the price of the dinner versions.
• Ruby's, +1 714 969-7829. Huntington Beach Pier. A great place for family with 50s diner feeling and great hamburgers, hotdogs and milkshakes. It's located at the end of the pier, so it offers lovely views of the Pacific, the Huntington Beach coastline, and (on less smoggy days) Catalina Island.
• Sugar Shack Cafe, 213 1/2 Main St, +1 714 536-0355. 213. A favorite cafe for locals, famous in Huntington Beach for great breakfasts and amazingly low prices.
• Duke's, 317 Pacific Coast Highway (At the base of the pier, +1 714 374-6446.
• Mangia Mangia, 16079 Goldenwest St (Head towards Westminster, +1 714 841-8887. Basic strip mall restaurant with excellent authentic Italian food
• Hangout Too Southern Bar & Grill, 16446 Bolsa Chica St, Huntington Beach, CA 92649 (Cross Street: Heil Avenue, +1 657 204-9306. 11:30AM to 11PM Daily. Casual Restaurant near Bella Terra & Huntington Harbour Serving New American Food. Craft Beers, Burgers, Seafood, BBQ. Outside patio that's dog friendly with free parking.
• Slater's 50/50 Burgers by Design, 8082 Adams Ave, +1 714 594-5730. Burgers, beer and lots of bacon. Select from menu or design your own burgers, but you have to like bacon to eat here. Good selection of beers too.

Fred's Mexican Cafe, 300 Pacific Coast Hwy. Ph (714)374-TACO. Great Mexican food & the best Margaritas north of Tijuana. There is no better view of the Huntington Beach pier than Fred's patio. Good prices and a favorite of the locals!

Chronic Tacos, 328 11th St, +1 714 960-0339. Located a few blocks from downtown, this place offers a full menu of extremely tasty tacos, burritos, and other Mexican cuisine served from behind a counter. Prices for a giant burrito are around $5.50 (includes guacamole, cheese, meat, and a choice of other fillings). Two pool tables are also available for $0.75 per game.

Islands, 7861 Edinger Ave, +1 714 897-4619. A Californian chain, this is a great place for family, serving hamburgers, salads, and hotdogs.

Matsu Japanese Restaurant, 18035 Beach Blvd, +1 714 848-4404. Japanese restaurant with nice atmosphere and a red-lit sushi bar. The prices are good for quality sushi. Try the lunch time menu offered during the weekdays which includes bento-box meals that are enormous for about $10, and the sushi and sashimi lunch specials are half the price of the dinner versions.

Ruby's, +1 714 969-7829. Huntington Beach Pier. A great place for family with 50s diner feeling and great hamburgers, hotdogs and milkshakes. It's located at the end of the pier, so it offers lovely views of the Pacific, the Huntington Beach coastline, and (on less smoggy days) [[Catalina Island]].

Sugar Shack Cafe, 213 1/2 Main St, +1 714 536-0355. 213. A favorite cafe for locals, famous in Huntington Beach for great breakfasts and amazingly low prices.

Duke's, 317 Pacific Coast Highway (At the base of the pier, +1 714 374-6446.

Mangia Mangia, 16079 Goldenwest St (Head towards Westminster, +1 714 841-8887. Basic strip mall restaurant with excellent authentic Italian food

Hangout Too Southern Bar & Grill, 16446 Bolsa Chica St, Huntington Beach, CA 92649 (Cross Street: Heil Avenue, +1 657 204-9306. 11:30AM to 11PM Daily. Casual Restaurant near Bella Terra & Huntington Harbour Serving New American Food. Craft Beers, Burgers, Seafood, BBQ. Outside patio that's dog friendly with free parking.

Slater's 50/50 Burgers by Design, 8082 Adams Ave, +1 714 594-5730. Burgers, beer and lots of bacon. Select from menu or design your own burgers, but you have to like bacon to eat here. Good selection of beers too.

• Aloha Grill, 221 Main St, +1 714 374-4427. This upstairs bar and grill has a luau vibe and friendly staff. This may be the only place you can go where you would be gay not to ask for a rainbow (Rainbow is the name of their world-famous tropical drink).
• Longboard Restaurant & Pub, 217 Main St, +1 714 960-1896. Good, cold beer and a delicious menu. Their appetizers are tough to beat.
• Hurricanes Bar & Grill, 200 Main St # 201, +1 714 374-0500. Delicious drink options include blended drinks such as their Rum Runners, and the food menu has Caribbean cuisine. It's a cool place to be with great "scenery" for the guys, but the service isn't always nice to people in large groups so be aware.
• Killarney's Irish Pub, 209 Main St, +1 714 536-7887. Whether you want a Guinness on tap or delicious Irish cuisine, Killarney's is well-suited to fit your needs.
• Jan's Health Bar, 501 Main St, +1 714 536-4856. Fresh and healthy soups, sandwiches, salads, smoothies and fruit drinks.
• Huntington Beach Brewing Company, 201 Main St, +1 714 960-5343. Ste E, Great Micro Brews, Food and Girls.
• Mama's on 39, 21022 Beach Blvd, +1 714 374-1166. Family Style dining in a casual atmosphere. "Great vibe...great food...great place."
• Pete's Sunset Grille, 21500 Pacific Coast Highway, +1 714 845-4775. Located inside the Hyatt, Vacationers and locals take advantage of nightly happy hour, 4 - 7PM in the Pete's Bar. Complimentary valet parking available for up to three hours, with a minimum purchase of $25 and proper validation. Enjoy a sunset cocktail!
• House of Brews, 16903 Algonquin St (direction Seal Beach off Warner Avenue, +1 714 377-3893. Great place for beers and a game of pool with friends.

Aloha Grill, 221 Main St, +1 714 374-4427. This upstairs bar and grill has a luau vibe and friendly staff. This may be the only place you can go where you would be gay not to ask for a rainbow (Rainbow is the name of their world-famous tropical drink).

Longboard Restaurant & Pub, 217 Main St, +1 714 960-1896. Good, cold beer and a delicious menu. Their appetizers are tough to beat.

Hurricanes Bar & Grill, 200 Main St # 201, +1 714 374-0500. Delicious drink options include blended drinks such as their Rum Runners, and the food menu has Caribbean cuisine. It's a cool place to be with great "scenery" for the guys, but the service isn't always nice to people in large groups so be aware.

Killarney's Irish Pub, 209 Main St, +1 714 536-7887. Whether you want a Guinness on tap or delicious Irish cuisine, Killarney's is well-suited to fit your needs.

Jan's Health Bar, 501 Main St, +1 714 536-4856. Fresh and healthy soups, sandwiches, salads, smoothies and fruit drinks.

Huntington Beach Brewing Company, 201 Main St, +1 714 960-5343. Ste E, Great Micro Brews, Food and Girls.

Mama's on 39, 21022 Beach Blvd, +1 714 374-1166. Family Style dining in a casual atmosphere. "Great vibe...great food...great place."

Pete's Sunset Grille, 21500 Pacific Coast Highway, +1 714 845-4775. Located inside the Hyatt, Vacationers and locals take advantage of nightly happy hour, 4 - 7PM in the Pete's Bar. Complimentary valet parking available for up to three hours, with a minimum purchase of $25 and proper validation. Enjoy a sunset cocktail!

House of Brews, 16903 Algonquin St (direction Seal Beach off Warner Avenue, +1 714 377-3893. Great place for beers and a game of pool with friends.

Crime is very low for such a large city, and violent crime is very rare. However, the city has long had a reputation for skinheads and white supremacist activities. Like some other parts of Orange County, Huntington Beach sometimes sees confrontations between reactionaries and people of color. If you are drinking, you should be far more concerned with local police than civilians. If you are drinking, call a cab because DUIs are illegal.

• Travel north on Beach Boulevard and you will reach Buena Park, the home of Knott's Berry Farm.
• North on Beach Boulevard and then east on Katella Avenue or Ball Road will take you to Disneyland.
• Take the Pacific Coast Highway to San Juan Capistrano, Long Beach, Santa Monica, and numerous other seaside communities.
• Take a train to downtown Los Angeles or San Diego.