Los Angeles & Southern California - Andrea Schulte-Peevers [209]
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HUNTINGTON BEACH
pop 190,000
Hawaiian-Irish surfing star George Freeth (brought to California by pioneer developer Henry Huntington) gave demonstrations in Huntington Beach (HB) in 1914, and the city has been a surf destination ever since. In recent years, its surfing image has been heavily marketed, city fathers even getting a bit aggressive in ensuring HB’s exclusive rights to their now-trademarked nickname ‘Surf City, USA.’ The moniker originally came from the 1963 song by surf daddies Jan and Dean. But the city does have a reason to protect its surfing turf. The sport is big business, with buyers for major retailers coming here to see what surfers are wearing, then marketing the look.
At times the city can seem like a teenager with growing pains. Long considered a low-key, not-quite-fashionable beach community, recent and uninspired development along Main St has left downtown with a vaguely antiseptic, prefab feel – a vibe refreshingly interrupted by sidewalk surfing skate rats and hollering late-night barflies. Despite the changes, HB is still the quintessential spot to celebrate the coastal California lifestyle. With consistently good waves, surf shops, a surf museum, beach bonfires, a canine-friendly beach and lots of hotels and restaurants with awesome views, it’s a fun place to enjoy sun and sand that’s centrally located for exploring the SoCal coast.
Orientation
The Pacific Coast Hwy (PCH) runs along the coast; Main St runs perpendicular to PCH and ends at the pier. Inland, Main St ends at Hwy 39 (Beach Blvd), which connects to I-405.
Coming from I-405, take Hwy 39 to PCH and turn right (north). Once in town, you won’t need a car.
Information
Central Library ( 714-842-4481; www.hbpl.org; 7111 Talbert Ave; internet access per hr $5; 1-9pm Mon, 9am-9pm Tue-Thu, 9am-5pm Fri & Sat, 1-5pm Sun; wi-fi) This is the main branch located in Huntington Beach Central Park.
Huntington Beach Hospital ( 714-842-1473; www.hbhospital.com; 17772 Beach Blvd) There’s a 24-hour emergency room.
Post office ( 714-536-4973; 316 Olive Ave; 8:30am-5pm Mon-Fri) Buy stamps and mail packages near Main St at the Beach Center branch. There’s a self-service stamp machine available 6:30am to 6pm weekdays, and 6:45am to 5pm Saturday.
Public Library – Main St Branch ( 714-375-5071; www.hbpl.org; 525 Main St; internet access per hr $3; 10am-7pm Tue-Fri, 9am-5pm Sat; ) Smaller than the main branch but just five blocks from the beach.
Visitors Bureau ( 714-969-3492, 800-729-6232; www.surfcityusa.com; 301 Main St, Suite 208; noon-7pm Mon-Fri, 11am-7pm Sat & Sun) Hard-to-spot office is on the 2nd floor overlooking Main St. Provides maps and info.
Sights
Look for the Surfing Walk of Fame on the corner of PCH and Main St, which immortalizes local legends.
THE BEACH
One of SoCal’s best beaches, the sand here gets packed on summer weekends with surfers, volleyball players, swimmers and families.
Huntington City Beach ( 714-536-5281; 5am-10pm;) surrounds the pier at the foot of Main St. Parking is $1.50 per hour or $12 for the day. Further south, Huntington State Beach ( 714-536-1454; 6am-10pm;) extends from Beach Blvd (Hwy 39) to the Santa Ana River and the Newport Beach boundary. Parking costs $12 a day.
If you forgot to pack beach gear, you can rent umbrellas, volleyballs, towels and even swim suits at Zack’s ( 714-536-0215; www.beachfoodfun.com; Zack’s Pier Plaza, cnr Pacific Coast Hwy & Main St) just north of the pier. Friendly Dwight’s ( 714-536-8083; 201 Pacific Coast Hwy on The Strand), around since 1932, rents