Overview
Huntington Beach is in Orange County in Southern California. 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.
3 sights · 10 things to do · 10 places to eat · 8 bars & cafés · 5 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Huntington Beach
Huntington Beach Pier
The second most popular sight here, after the beach itself. The US Open of Surfing is held around here. Many of the upscale restaurants and bars are located near here.
Huntington State Beach
Located south of Beach Boulevard.
Bolsa Chica State Beach
Popular spot for family barbecues.
Sunset Beach
It was an unincorporated community until annexed by Huntington Beach in 2011. The northernmost beach in Huntington Beach, north of the Warner loop and west of Huntington Harbour. Funkier and less pretentious than other p…
Bolsa Chica Wetlands
Huntington Beach boasts the largest unspoiled coastal wetlands in California where many migratory birds stop and nest.
Main Street
A shopping and gathering place for residents and tourists alike, with sidewalk cafes, surf shops and live music all vying for attention.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Jan–Dec. Summer highs reach about 74°F; winter lows dip to about 50°F. Wettest: Feb and Jan. (climate data from nearby Newport Beach)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- SNA John Wayne Orange County International Airport, Santa Ana — 8 mi away (major hub). Directions
- LGB Long Beach International Airport, Long Beach — 12 mi away (major hub). Directions
As with most of Orange County, Huntington Beach is served by John Wayne Airport (SNA) in Santa Ana, which is 11 mi/17.5km to the northeast. SNA is served by many major carriers for flights from all regions of the U.S. and from the San Francisco Bay Area and Sacramento in northern California.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 3-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Huntington Beach Pier, Huntington City Beach, Main Street
- Lunch Mama's Comfort Food and Cocktails
- Afternoon Huntington State Beach, Running, walking, biking, and rollerblading
- Dinner Fred's Mexican Cafe
- Evening Pete's Sunset Grille
Day 2
- Morning Bolsa Chica Wetlands, Sunset Beach, Bolsa Chica State Beach
- Lunch Hangout Too Southern Bar & Grill
- Afternoon Beaches of Huntington Beach, Relaxing
- Dinner Surf Dog's Sports Grill
- Evening J. King Neptunes
Day 3
- Morning Huntington Dog Beach
- Lunch Chronic Tacos
- Afternoon Surfing
- Dinner Duke's
- Evening Huntington Beach Beer Company
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
The year-round temperature averages 67°F, and good weather can be had every month, though the months of January to March can be rainy.
History
Once known as Pacific City, it started as the southern terminus of the Golden West railroad line. Huntington Beach is also mentioned by name in the Beach Boys song "Surfin' Safari", where "at Huntington and Malibu they're shooting the pier".
Huntington Beach was founded in the early 20th century, named for and developed by Henry E. Huntington, whose Pacific Electric railroad came to the town in 1904. Prior to 1960, Huntington Beach was mostly agricultural, with crops such as lima beans, asparagus, peppers, celery and sugar beets. The city experienced massive growth in the 1960s, coinciding with both the growth of surf culture as well as "white flight" from Central LA to the suburbs.
Politics
Huntington Beach is one of the more conservative/MAGA cities in Southern California.
Tourist information
- Huntington Beach tourism website
Get in
By air
As with most of Orange County, Huntington Beach is served by John Wayne Airport (SNA) in Santa Ana, which is 11 mi/17.5km to the northeast. SNA is served by many major carriers for flights from all regions of the U.S. and from the San Francisco Bay Area and Sacramento in northern California.
Long Beach Airport (LGB) is also within close distance (17mi/27km to the west) but is dominated by JetBlue Airways, which serves 14 destinations from Long Beach: Oakland, Sacramento, Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, Chicago (O'Hare), Boston, New York (JFK), Washington (Dulles), Fort Lauderdale, Austin, Portland, San Francisco, San Jose and Seattle. American (Phoenix), Delta (Salt Lake City) and Southwest (Denver & Oakland) also serve Long Beach too.
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is the largest airport in the area with connections from more destinations in the U.S. and internationally. It is 37 mi away.
By car
Huntington Beach is located at the intersection of Beach Boulevard and the Pacific Coast Highway, just under 14 miles directly south of Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Park. Interstate 405, which links John Wayne, Long Beach, and Los Angeles International Airports, intersects Beach Boulevard about 6 miles north of Huntington Beach.
Parking: The best place to park is the city parking located right at the beach. The entrance is just north of Highway 1 (the PCH) and the main street. You will conveniently be able to unload watercoolers, surf boards and the kids all safely without having to cross streets. It saves on lifting and lugging as well. You can wash off and change clothes right next to the parking at the water showers and washrooms. Washrooms are adequate but small. They also get wet and sandy during the day.
If you're on a budget, you can usually find some parking in nearby neighborhoods. But watch for street signs that may indicate parking is only allowed at certain times or days. This may require a little more walking if you're headed to the beach, but it's not too much.
By train
Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner and Metrolink's Orange County Line serve Santa Ana, Tustin, Buena Park, and Irvine.
Get around
OCTA Route 1* North and South runs along the Pacific Coast Highway, servicing all of Orange County's beaches. Routes 33 and 35 South directly run into Huntington State Beach. Routes 21** South, 70* West and 72 West end at Sunset Beach. Routes 25 South, 29 South, 172 West and 173** South all serve Huntington's downtown and its beach.
- For route 1 North make sure that the banner reads Cal State Long Beach and not Newport Transportation Center. For route 70 make sure it reads Sunset Beach and not Goldenwest Transportation Center.
- No service on weekends.
See
See Main Street
A shopping and gathering place for residents and tourists alike, with sidewalk cafes, surf shops and live music all vying for attention.
Do
Do Beaches of Huntington Beach
It 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.
Do Huntington Dog Beach
Do Sunset Beach
It was an unincorporated community until annexed by Huntington Beach in 2011. The northernmost beach in Huntington Beach, north of the Warner loop and west of Huntington Harbour. Funkier and less pretentious than other parts of Huntington Beach, home to several dive bars.
Do Running, walking, biking, and 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 8 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 go out first thing in the morning, often as soon as the sun comes up.
Do 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. 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.
Do 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.
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.
Buy
Shop Bella Terra
This upscale transformation of what once was the Huntington Mall is a vibrant city center. It is just off the 405 at the Edinger exit. 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 from sushi at Kabuki to burgers at Johnny Rockets, to the eponymous dessert at The Cheesecake Factory.
Eat
Eat Fred's Mexican Cafe
Great Mexican food & Margaritas. There is no better view of the Huntington Beach pier than Fred's patio. Good prices and a favorite of the locals.
Eat Chronic Tacos
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.
Eat Matsu
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.
Eat Sugar Shack Cafe
A favorite cafe for locals, famous in Huntington Beach for great breakfasts and amazingly low prices.
Eat Mangia Mangia
Basic strip mall restaurant with excellent authentic Italian food.
Eat Aloha Grill
This upstairs bar and grill has a luau vibe and friendly staff. This may be the only place you can go where it would be wrong not to ask for a rainbow (Rainbow is the name of their world-famous tropical drink).
Eat Mama's Comfort Food and Cocktails
Family style dining in a casual atmosphere. "Great vibe... great food... great place."
Eat Hangout Too Southern Bar & Grill
Casual restaurant near Bella Terra & Huntington Harbour Serving New American Food. Craft beers, burgers, seafood, and BBQ. Outside patio that's dog-friendly with free parking.
Eat Surf Dog's Sports Grill
Sports bar with frequent live music on weekends. Also winners of multiple local awards from various establishments. Daily specials and live sports, too.
Drink
Drink Longboard Restaurant & Pub
Good, cold beer and a delicious menu. Their appetizers are tough to beat.
Drink Hurricanes Bar & Grill
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. Happy hour 4-7PM everyday.
Drink Killarney's Irish Pub
Whether you want a Guinness on tap or delicious Irish cuisine, Killarney's is well-suited to fit your needs.
Drink Huntington Beach Beer Company
Great microbrews, bar food, and outdoor seating.
Drink Pete's Sunset Grille
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!
Drink Harbour Rackhouse
Great place for beers and a game of pool with friends.
Drink Turcs Cocktails
Small tiki bar with a very chique interior and two pool tables. Great selection of drinks. Wheelchair accessible. Also has a patio.
Drink J. King Neptunes
Unpretentious dive bar with wide selection of seafood and frequent live music.
Sleep
There are accommodations from beach campgrounds to five-star resorts along the Pacific. The beach campgrounds are open year round and usually full.
Stay safe
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.
Go next
- 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.
Nearby
Fountain Valley
City / town · 13 listings · 2 mi away
Westminster
City / town · 14 listings · 4 mi away
Costa Mesa
City / town · 36 listings · 5 mi away
Garden Grove
City / town · 15 listings · 6 mi away
Seal Beach
City / town · 14 listings · 7 mi away
Santa Ana
City / town · 38 listings · 7 mi away
Stanton
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Newport Beach
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