Open Huntington Beach Photo Gallery
HB is also known as Surf City. There is a big event on the beach every week or so including surfing’s US Open in July. Waves are aplenty; locals inform me they are “cappier” and the water is colder than Newport. The beach is very long and everyone goes running along the promenade; where even mums and dads run with their prams, sorry, strollers, up to “dog beach,” yes “dog beach” where all the dawgs get to check out the bitches, lie in the sun and chew driftwood. If you are lucky, you may also see the odd Jack Russell surfing.

You may see a few oil pump jacks. Huntington was once a huge centre for oil with a skyline of pumps. Residents were more likely to have a “derrick” in their garden than an orange tree. Locals say there is still plenty of oil. The rigs off shore would agree, although environmentalist lobbyists insist revenue to come from undependable tourism.

With a brief stroll past the pelicans to the end of the pier, you’ll find Ruby’s Diner. We waited 30 mins for a lunchtime table suggesting the popularity. Our table came with an ocean view with entertainment courtesy of many tuna friendly dolphins. Expect a varied menu of traditional, tasty and greasy diner food along with some fantastic flavoured shakes such as orange cream, Oreos, cookie dough and many more. The décor is an unexciting mix between modern and 1950’s diner; but I love diners!

Spend the afternoon on the beach. The unwritten rule is that the closer beach dwellers are to the pier, the hotter they are. There are oodles of volleyball nets set up in the sand for added entertainment. Further down, you will have room for your truck and start a bbq or fire in one of the designated pits.

Tuesday brings the farmer’s market along Main Street. A collection of small independent vendors sell food to take home or ready to eat. Check-out surf fashions and other artisans. Strawberries are always a good one and are bigger than you thought possible.

Main Street is home to a few surf shops and is regarded as downtown Huntington. The atmosphere is always easy going and reminiscent of the 1950’s although actually 1980’s. As an added bonus, Tuesday is Taco Tuesday. That means many of the (surf) bars including Hurricane’s, Duke’s, Sharkie’s and Beachfront 301 that sport decent menus boast heavily discounted tacos.

The beach and pier shuts at 10pm which is the time unaccompanied under 18s have to leave Main Street. But by then I am sure you will have seen a once in a lifetime sunset. That is unless you stay here more than one day.

For something a bit more stylish than the beach and surf bars, try the “Redchair Lounge” at “Hyatt’s Beach Club”. It is on the other side of the PCH from the beach and offers a tipple around the pool with a bit more glamour than some of the kiddie downtown bars.

If you like a bit of glamour, then visit the “South Coast Plaza” mall. Here you can expect many of the typical retailers, some big department stores like Nordstrom and plenty of designer stores such as “Gucci” “Burberry” “De Beers” “Tiffany” “Chanel” “Armani” and plenty more if you have cash to burn.