Nicknamed Surf City USA for obvious reasons, Huntington Beach brings Southern California dreams to life with miles of golden beaches, waveriding action and seaside attractions keeping visitors happily occupied for weeks. This curated itinerary distills the very best of Huntington into eight essential experiences capturing the quintessence of California cool across an ultimately unforgettable beach town escape.
Fuel Up on Specialty Brews
Begin your Huntington adventure proper with a pilgrimage to coffee connoisseur haven Philz Coffee just off Main Street. Sip custom pour-over roasts like the nutty, velvety Tesora blend or the Philtered Soul with hazelnut and chocolate undertones. Or pop into hip, hyper-local hangout 602 Coffee Shop for smooth espresso drinks, superfood smoothies, egg scrambles and more surrounded by works from local artists. Caffeinated coastal living at its finest!
Sightseeing By Bikes & Boards
Glide down the Strand’s oceanside bike path on beach cruisers or surreys from Wheel Fun Rentals slicing through ocean breezes. Make the seven-mile ride to ritzy Newport Beach or veer into diverse neighborhood streets revealing Huntington’s abundant surf and skate culture.
If two wheels aren’t your speed, grab colorful longboards from iconic Jack’s Surfboards back on Main Street. Stylishly cruise through scenic shore parks perfect for intermediate wave riders not ready tackling advanced breaks.
Classic Surf Style Brekkies
After burning calories cycling and boarding, its time to refuel! Make your way back to Sugar Shack Cafe for rib-sticking all-American breakfast plates enjoyed al fresco beneath red-and-white-striped sun shades. Fluffy stacks of French toast, loaded three-egg omelets and hangover-banishing breakfast burritos hit the spot after mornings working up appetites outdoors under Huntington’s life-giving sunshine.
Wetsuit Window Shopping & Beach Retail Therapy
Stroll Main Street and delve into surf emporiums like Rip Curl and Huntington Surf & Sport overflowing with bikinis, board shorts, baggies, flip flops and tons more gear for looking the part even if you never hit the waves. Funky art galleries, beachy home decor boutiques and candy stores add additional shopping diversions between prominent national brands.
Don’t own proper beach equipment? No problemo! Scour surf shops for boogie boards, stand up paddleboards, snorkel sets – whatever accessories activate your ultimate beach day.
Making Waves & Soaking Rays
Make your way toward crashing waves ready to boogie board bottlenose waves or simply bask upon the beach scanning surfers shredding waves in the distance. Lifeguard towers dot the sand every few blocks if strong swimmers want guidance finding ideal spots matching ability levels.
Huntington City Beach bustles with activity during summer months when prime swells arrive. But with over eight miles of shoreline options spread down the coastline, quieter pockets remain for visitors prioritizing peaceful relaxation over hardcore water sports seen at the world famous Huntington Beach Pier stretching into the sea.
Sips With A Side of Shopping At Pacific City
Across the street from the sand, the chef-driven restaurants, boutiques and breezy vibes emanating from downtown adjacent Pacific City easily occupy entire afternoons and evenings. Sur La Table offers cooking classes while no less than three breweries provide the perfect antidote to a hot day.
Once the sun starts its descent, make reservations at sizzling new dining concept Spark Woodfire Grill boasting beach views through floor-to-ceiling glass walls beside an expansive outdoor lounge anchored by flickering fire pits. Their market-driven menu beautifully represents Californian cuisine at its seasonal best.
Mexi Dreams & Sunset Screams
Continue the hungry hunt even further inland to Fred’s Mexican Cafe occupying a coveted corner atop the iconic Huntington Surf & Sport store. Technicolor Baja fish tacos and killer margaritas enjoyed on lively second floor patios provide the best perches for epic sunset watching as vibrant hues dissolve over distant Newport Pier. Arrive early to secure patio seating at this perennially busy locals’ favorite.
Pier Pressure Strolls
Conclude your Huntington day by strolling out to the end of Huntington Beach Pier with locals fishing as others train cameras onto sublime sunsets over the Pacific – the emphatic period punctuating a perfect SoCal day. The very length of this landmark centenarian pier conveys the small city’s outsized fame and fortune intrinsically linked to these beaches through generations.
By experiencing just this sampler of Surf City’s quintessential corners, visitors depart with sand in their shoes and smiles across their faces already eagerly anticipating again joining the beautiful beaches and chilled-out California living that consistently lures endless crowds back to the shores of Huntington.