Huntington Beach

Also known as Surf City USA, this Orange County seaside town is about 20 minutes from Disneyland. Surfing is such a big part of the town’s identity that the city fathers have trademarked the alternate name. The town has three beaches along its coastline:

• Bolsa Chica State Beach is furthest to the north, covering 3 miles (5k) of coastline. The estuarine area in the middle and east of the Pacific Coast Highway is the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve, a great spot for birdwatchers. People enjoy surf fishing here, and also come for the summer grunion runs.
• Huntington City Beach covers the middle section of the town’s beaches. Surfing is popular here.
• Huntington State Beach is the state-run section of beach on the south, ending at the Santa Ana River. South of this beach is Newport Beach.

Besides surfing and shore fishing, what else is there to do in HB?

• Hit the shopping district. There are tons places to browse art, shop and nosh in the area around Main Street and the Pacific Coast Highway.
• Walk the pier. This is one of the longest piers on the U.S. West Coast, extending 1,850 feet (560 m) into the sea.
• Bumming around the beach is probably the most popular sport. Beach-combing, wading, and getting sunburned are all activities anyone can enjoy.
• Other sports include kite surging, kayaking, swimming, body boarding and beach volleyball. If you don’t care to do any of these things, it’s still fun to watch other people doing them.
• Although there are plenty of places to eat, you really should stop in at Duke’s island-themed restaurant and try some good seafood.