Things To Do In Huntington
For surfers, creating an itinerary for visiting Huntington Beach might seem pretty obvious. However, for anyone else traveling to Surf City U.S.A., one thing you might be thinking is,
"How can I enjoy my Huntington Beach vacation beyond lounging in the sand all day?"
Well, you've landed on the right website, as we have some deep ties to this surf town.
Come dive in with us as we explore the best things to do when visiting Huntington Beach!
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16 Most Fun Things To Do When Visiting Huntington Beach
1. Bolsa Chica State Beach
No matter what kind of outdoor pursuit you have, you can find it at Bolsa Chica State Beach. We're telling you right now; you won't find better barrels in this part of Orange County.
For those who prefer the quiet, gentle nature of fishing, know that it's a popular pastime for pier-goers. Families with little kids might even consider bringing lunch for a little picnic or strolling along the eight-mile walking trail.
While you're there, we highly recommend heading to the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve, a 1,300-acre west coast estuary surrounded by the Pacific Coast Highway. The reserve has a WILD landscape, including coastal dunes, salt marshes, mudflats, and open water.
Plus, with 200 species of birds, it's the best I-Spy game Huntington Beach can offer.
If you want to learn more about how the Bolsa Chica Beach reserve protects the local wetlands, head to the Bolsa Chica Wetlands Interpretive Center, located within this beautiful State Beach.
2. Walk the Huntington Beach Pier
When you cross over Pacific Coast Highway from Main Street, you'll find yourself staring down the barrel of one of Southern California's most iconic piers. The Huntington Beach Pier is the heart of the city and provides more than 1,850 feet of fishing opportunities and photo ops. If you're looking for some cool little souvenirs to bring back to the fam, we recommend hitting the Surf City Store. Of course, if you didn't stop at the end of the pier for a burger at Ruby's Surf City Diner, did you even go?
3. Get Your Surf On At Huntington Beach State Park
Stretching for two miles between the Santa Ana River in Newport Beach and Beach Boulevard in HB, you'll find Huntington Beach State Park off the Pacific Coast Highway. Here you'll find an 8.5-mile paved trail that connects to Bolsa Chica, great for a little afternoon stroll.
However, if you want to get down with the action, we recommend bringing your board or fishing poles.
4. Rent a Boat at the Huntington Harbor
On the city's northwest tip near Sunset Beach and Seal Beach, you'll find the Huntington City Beach Harbor.
This small myriad of manmade islands allows residents to park their boats and enjoy the onshore activities that the boardwalk has to offer.
If you want to rent a boat and make your way out of Huntington Harbor for the day, head down to Peter's Landing Marina.
5. Bring Your Furry Friend to the Beach
There's no question that Californians love their dogs. In fact, they love them so much that they have SEVERAL dedicated dog beaches, one of which is Huntington Dog Beach. This beach sits between Seapoint Avenue and 21st Street off of Pacific Coast Highway and is one of the best places to let your dog roam (they need vacations too, right?!).
6. Paint The Town Red
Downtown Huntington Beach doesn't have your standard lofty beach town vibe. Instead, it offers plenty of poppin' bars, restaurants, fashion boutiques, ice cream shops, and nail salons.
But, every Tuesday night, as Poseidon travels from the ocean like a mythical surfing Santa Clause and blesses the town with joy and splendor, Surf City Nights takes over. The city closes three blocks on Main Street, opening it up to live musical performances, farmers' markets, and sidewalk stalls.
It's the perfect way to enjoy Huntington Beach with the entire family.
7. Shop Till You Drop At The Pacific City Mall
Whether you need to bring back souvenirs for the unfortunate few who couldn't take this glorious vacation with you, or you feel like some retail therapy is in order, you can head down to the Pacific City outdoor mall, where you'll find several ocean-facing storefronts.
8. Have A Picnic At The Park
With more than 300 acres of land to sprawl out in, you won't have to look hard to find the perfect spot for a picnic at Huntington Central Park. Yes, this park is massive and THE largest park in all of Orange County.
No matter what you or your family enjoys, you'll find plenty of outdoor activities to suit all your tastes. Note that the park is divided into two halves, including Central Park East and Central Park West, so take some time to explore it in its entirety if you can. Are you thinking about grilling some carne asada for some savory Cali-style tacos? Grab a fire pit early in the day.
Maybe you want to unleash your inner frat star and set up a cornhole tournament with your squad or get wild with some ultimate frisbee? With seemingly endless, lush lawn space, you'll have more than enough room to live out your park dreams.
If you're the explorer type, you can enjoy one of the many marked trails that pass through the colorful flower gardens surrounding Huntington Central Park.
9. Dive Into History At the International Surfing Museum
Here at the International Surfing Museum, surfers from around the world come to pay their respects to the long-lost legends of surfing. The museum is beautifully curated, taking visitors through a historical and cultural expedition of surfing, how it came to be, and where it has gone.
The museum has revolving artifact collections and showcases a myriad of rare surfboards unlike any we've seen before. Make sure to talk to the employees while you're there, as they can provide you with inside tips on where to catch the best waves in the area.
10. Hug a Tree Or Two At Shipley Nature Center
Okay, but seriously, don't touch the trees!
The Shipley Nature Center was made to protect and preserve the natural environment around the Shipley region and offers a unique way for visitors to explore and learn about native flora and fauna in Southern California.
Even if you're not in the "learning mindset" (we get it, you're still thinking about that retro fish board you saw at the surfing museum), the Center offers the perfect place to relax. So put your phone away, enjoy walking the pathways, listen to the bubbling streams, and soak in some sunlight.
If you want to learn more about the plants in the area, you can talk to one of the many available docents.
11. Get A Bonfire Going at Huntington City Beach
Huntington City Beach has plenty of fire pits and is surprisingly one of the few beaches in Orange County that even has them!
You will need to bring your own firewood, and we recommend bringing some blankets or jackets, as coastal temperatures can drop at night. We have to say, there is nothing quite as gorgeous as watching the sun go down over the Huntington Beach Pier.
12. Explore the Newland House Museum
If you want to dive deep into the history of Huntington Beach, CA, then we recommend checking out the Newland House Museum. This must-see museum came around near the end of the 19th century and provides more than 500 acres of land for visitors to enjoy.
The Newland house is the oldest in Huntington Beach and its surrounding land was once used by Huntington residents to plant local produce on. The town's Historical Society now manages it.
13. Enter Into Fantasy Land At The Old World Village
Please don't visit Huntington Beach without stepping foot in the Old World Village. It is by far one of the city's weirdest and wackiest tourist destinations. The village has been in operation since the late 70s and provides a unique way for people to enter into a magical fantasy land that is almost the antithesis of a beach town.
With cobblestone streets, old-timey boutiques, and plenty of photo opportunities, it is one of the most unique things Huntington Beach offers.
If you're there in October, check the calendar on the website to see if they're hosting Oktoberfest! It's an absolute rager.
14. Dive Into Art At The Huntington Beach Art Center
A short walk from Downtown, just off of Main Street, you'll find the Huntington Beach Art Center. The artwork often changes, meaning you'll always find something new to see. Some of our favorite past exhibits include the "Wonderful World of Comics" and the "Art and Soul of Surfing."
Beyond the variety of art Huntington Beach's Art Center has on display, you can enjoy one of the family art days or monthly meetups. Also, make sure to check the website for weekly events.
15. Step Foot On The Surfer's Hall of Fame
Surfers often make a stop at this monument to legendary surfers. In a way, this is surfing's response to the Hollywood Walk of Fame found near the Chinese Theatre in LA. Similar in design, you can see some of the greatest surfers' prints solidified in cement.
The Hall of Fame sits just across the way from the Pier. So if you come during the right time of year, you can cross over and watch surfers at the annual surfing championships. If you're a surfing fan, you don't want to miss this opportunity.
16. Grab A Drink at Surf City Still Works
Surf City Still Works is an independent craft distillery that's been around since 2017. Even with its short time in Huntington Beach, CA, it has made waves. While beer culture has been prominent around Huntington Beach for quite some time, no one had ever thought to bring the craft distilling spirit to the city.
If you like craft cocktails and want to get your hands on some drinks made by the finest mixologists in the city, there is no better place to go.
