Huntington Beach: Coast, Nature, and Surfing History

When looking for a hotel in Huntington Beach, it helps to first decide what you want to focus on during your trip: Would you like to explore beaches and trails, learn about surfing, or plan around art and events? Each of these themes offers a different starting point for planning your trip. The places and dates below can help you consider your interests alongside the right time to travel.

Coast, Trails, and Nature

The Bolsa Chica Wetlands cover 1,449 acres. For a walk, the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve offers a specific point of reference: you can explore about five miles of trails there from sunrise to sunset. The acreage describes the extent of the wetlands; the trails and hours offer another point of reference for planning time outdoors.

Bolsa Chica State Beach stretches for three miles along the Pacific Coast Highway in Huntington Beach, California—from Warner Avenue to Seapoint Avenue. Surf fishing is possible there. The visitor center also offers educational exhibits and programs year-round. This beach therefore combines a specific fishing opportunity with a year-round educational offering.

Fire rings are available year-round at Huntington State Beach. The beach is also a nesting area for the endangered Snowy Plover. Including it in your trip plans gives you both a specific recreational amenity and a special connection to local wildlife. The beach bike path is almost 8.5 miles long in total, extending from the northern tip of Bolsa Chica State Beach to the southern tip of Huntington State Beach. Its length makes it a separate consideration for anyone interested in trails along the coast.

Surfing, the Pier, and Events

A walk along Huntington Beach Pier offers panoramic views of Catalina Island, Newport Beach, Long Beach, and San Pedro. When there is a swell, larger and stronger waves occur in the area near the pier. The pier therefore appeals to different interests: you can enjoy it as a scenic walk or look to the wave conditions for surf guidance. No fishing license is required to fish from the public Huntington Beach Pier.

The US Open of Surfing takes place every summer on the coast near Huntington Beach Pier and brings the world’s best surfers to Huntington Beach. The Surf City Marathon takes place every February in Huntington Beach: this scenic seaside race follows the Pacific Coast Highway. If either event is important to your trip, check the dates for the relevant period.

Civil War Days is an annual living history event at Huntington Beach Central Park. It brings together hundreds of living history performers, historians, educators, and expert speakers. Dates and the scope of the program may vary from year to year. If you are planning your trip around Civil War Days, be sure to check the specific event dates for that year.

Art, History, and Local Offerings

The Huntington Beach International Surfing Museum features a changing, catalogued collection that preserves surfboards and local history. Its focus complements the surf events and coastal themes with a look at the history of surfing. Admission to exhibitions at the Huntington Beach Art Center is free; the exhibition program changes over time.

The Huntington Beach Farmers Market may also be of interest. Local vendors offer seasonal fruits and vegetables, hand-cut flowers, local honey, gourmet spices, baked goods, handcrafted products, and other items. The selection may vary. This gives you a range of trip-planning options, from nature and coastal trails to sports and events, as well as art, history, and a farmers market.

Discover more destinations: Sunset Beach, Stanton, Anaheim, Irvine, Laguna Beach, Costa Mesa, Fullerton, Laguna Hills.

For the broader travel overview: Orange.