Huntington Beach is world-famous as "Surf City", from the 1960's 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.

The year round temperature averages 67 degrees F, and good weather can be found year-round. However, the months of January to March can be rainy.

Get around

OCTA Route 1* North and South runs along Pacific Coast Highway, servicing all of the Huntington's beaches, including the following. 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 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.

Activities

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.

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.

Lodging

There are accommodations from beach campgrounds to five-star resorts along the Pacific. The beach campgrounds are open year round and usually full.

 • Best Western Huntington Beach Inn, 800 Pacific Coast Highway, (714) 536-7500, Fax: (714) 536-6846
 • Best Western Regency Inn, 19360 Beach Boulevard, (714) 962-4244, Fax: (714) 963-4724

Sunset, Huntington Beach pier

Attractions

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

Shopping

Downtown, or 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.

Dining

Food and entertainment prices are moderate

Stay safe

Crime is very low for such a large city, and violent crime is very rare.