Think of something soothing, crashing waves. Now
think of something warm, the beating sun. Think sand in your toes. Think
smells; sea water, sunscreen. Think perfection.
To believe that one place holds all this and
more is a far stretch, but if you have never set foot on the beach where
surfers come to make dreams come true, you have not seen perfection come to
life. Huntington Beach is one that defies all odds. California is known for its
beaches and the atmosphere they up hold, but what most people do not know is
the beach that brings you out of reality and into a dream. “Huntington
Beach dominates the California beach scene with 10 miles of uninterrupted
beaches. The city features the most consistent waves on the West Coast, an
attribute that helped the city receive the nickname, Surf City USA” (SurfCityUSA).
Growing
up in southern California I have been to may beaches; cold ones, warm ones,
large ones, small ones, even secret ones. I have seen them all, but not one
compares to Huntington Beach. The climate is generally sunny, dry and cool, although
evenings can be damp due to the ocean breeze. Winds off the Pacific Ocean help
maintain pleasant, smog-free weather year round with temperatures ranging
mostly from 65 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit, which means freezing winters
are not an issue here. The weather never leaves you guessing, the beach fog clears
up completely around eleven giving way to the shining sun that is never too
hot. Now although the sea water here is not going to be as warm and inviting as
the sea water in, say Cabo San Lucas, but it is one of the warmer ones above
the international border. Of all the beaches I have been to this one has been
the cleanest by far. I have not seen trash in the sand, nor am I too disgusted
to use the showers or restrooms. This beach is one
with strict rules to the point of dogs on leashes to curfews and even no smoking on
the beach or pier, which leads to a well maintained clean beach free of debris
and trash. Some other beaches such as Santa Monica and Venice are not kept as
clean, with very little restrictions which leaves people with very little
expectations.
If your plan is to be at the beach for many days then I
recommend staying at one of the beach front hotels which are more than accommodating,
such as the Hyatt Regency known for its full service spa and many pools or even
a Comfort Suites for something easy, or if you like to bring your own method of
accommodation there is an RV park right on the opposite side of PCH. The cherry
on top of this sundae is the fact that Huntington is so close to several other
attractions such as Disneyland and the Queen Mary. So staying here means that you
get to wake up to an amazing view and still get to enjoy all the fun southern
California has to bring.
There is entertainment for
every member of the family, from shopping to an art center and even farmers
markets every week. The beach is adorned with many merchants, restaurants, and
shops. Something to satisfy everyone’s personality; from Huntington Surf and Sport
to an antique shop. And if you are to visit around the beginning of spring all
stores have huge sales. The restaurants are not just of one variety, there is
food from south of border and even as far east as Asia. Personally I think you
should order fish tacos from Wahoo’s, their fish is so fresh and seasoned to
perfection. But if you are not liking wanting to walk down main street for some
grub you can always just hit the pier for some classic American food at Ruby’s
Diner. For the locals and the tourists visiting on Thursday nights the farmers
market opens up, the main street closes and various venders set up their
stands. Different vendors sell items to everyone’s liking and there is always
live entertainment.
Now
Huntington Beach is not called Surf City USA only for having the best waves in
America but for hosting the US Open of Surfing and fifty other surfing competitions
a year. In 1925, Duke Kahanamoku
brought the sport of surfing to Huntington Beach. Six years later, the first
U.S. Surfing Competitions were held in Huntington Beach. In 2005, the USA
Surf Team adopted Huntington Beach as its official home. “The US Open annually brings in more than
one million spectators to Huntington for a multi-course serving of surf, skate,
music, and retail” (surfermag) This event is not just one for the water, there
is live music from popular bands, skate competitions and sponsors growing by
the year trying to promote their product. If anything this event brings nothing
but fun and a crowd, so I would not suggest going if crowds are something you
want to refrain from. For those people, planning a trip during the winter is ideal;
you get the nice weather this beach comes with but without the crowd. Although
this beach is known for hosting popular surf competitions other sporting events
and competitions happen here as well, such as the X-games and pro beach
volleyball.
Since this beach is the most popular beach in the
world with eight million annual visitors, of course peak seasons will be more crowded than nonpeak
seasons but overall the beach is large enough and has enough resources for
populations of high numbers. With only a population of 200,000 in the city
which leaves much room on the beach for locals during off seasons. Given
that this beach does bring so many tourists parking would seem like a problem.
However, a 2,400 space beach parking lot plus additional parking on Pacific
Coast Highway and adjacent streets,
there are meters for main street parking, a parking structure off of Sixth
Street, as well as RV parking.
Standards of a perfect beach day do not have to be
negotiated here.
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