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There are landmark scenic staples that are not to be missed in so many California cool seaside towns.
The Pacific is a wonderful scene setter in that regard. Brilliant sandy beaches, spectacular sunsets, warm temperatures blended with a chill vibe and as a beacon, a pier slicing through the surf and into the ocean.
At Huntington Beach, an underrated Orange County must-stop, a perch on the pier comes with a premium tourist experience. HB, as the locals call their terrific seaside locale, bills itself as Surf City USA, honouring its long association with the pastime that is now an Olympic sport.
And from the moment you cruise into town on the famed Pacific Coast Highway, visitors are compelled to catch the wave — literally and figuratively.
On a recent visit to the OC oasis, I spent most of one morning midway up the pier mesmerized watching the action. Dozens at a time were lined up to shred the next perfect wave and they came to the right spot.
Whether it’s “getting barrelled,” as the experts crave when they get down low in the hollow part of the wave, or more modest moves, it’s a spectacle not to be missed. From beginners to well-seasoned acrobatic surfers doing their thing, the pier is a perfect spot to not only catch the action, but to set the mood for the chill vibe and surfing theme that is so much of the city’s identity.
The catchy handle is a perfect fit given the surroundings. And in case you’re wondering, Surf City USA does indeed have its roots in the popular Jan and Dean song by the same name. The catchy hit, co-written by The Beach Boys’ own Brian Wilson, was a 1963 blockbuster to help trigger the genre.
Surf City was a fictitious town in the Jan and Dean ditty, but recognizing how it was ideal for its own persona, Huntington Beach officials christened it as their own by trademarking the handle in 1991. From the surf itself, to the beach bars and so much more in the city, it’s a mindset as much as a physical identity.
There is plenty of the latter, however.
On shore, there are legion of surfing schools and shops, including the iconic Jack’s Surfboards. Located at the corner of Main and the Pacific Coast Highway across from the pier, it has been the hub of surf needs (and tourist T-shirts) since original owner Jack Hokanson founded what is now a chain back in 1957.
At the foot of the pier is Duke’s, named after surfing legend Duke Kahanamoku. A classic beach bar/restaurant with stellar views of the ocean.
The Surf City USA moniker is true to its roots in HB. The pastime is more than a sporting and fitness activity, it is a cultural mindset and that chill feel certainly resonates in HB and a beach town spirit that calls from all corners.
The pier is central to a 15-kilometre stretch of uninterrupted coastline attracting all manner of beach lovers. But it also has what is widely regarded as some of the best and most consistent waves along the Southern California coast, which serves as a magnet for surfers of all skill levels.
You don’t have to be a surfer to max out the experience. The expansive beaches are a haven to all those who like the sand and the sea for swimming and sun bathing. Courts are plentiful for that other Cali staple, beach volleyball.
Cyclists love this coastal stretch, drawn to the bike path between the Pacific Coast Highway and the sand for the duration of that 15 km. There are plenty of spots to rent a bike for an hour or a day to go for a spin.
Huntington State Beach is well maintained and open from sunrise until 10 p.m. It’s a popular spot in the evenings with large fire pits provided for bonfires.
Throughout the downtown strip, there is plenty to honour those who helped put HB on the map for its history in the sport.
It’s roots here are tied to a couple of legendary Hawaiians who brought their sport from the Pacific island to the California shores. First was George Freeth, who arrived in 1914, and then in the ’20s, came Duke Kahanamoku, an Olympic swimmer and world-class surfer considered by many to be the founder of the modern surf movement.
Their impact on the sport (and thus the city itself) was profound and is well documented at the International Surfing Museum, another HB must-stop a few blocks up from the beach. The Surfing Walk of Fame, with plaques on the sidewalk outside of Jack’s, also pays homage to the past.
The pier, all 185 feet of it, has its own backstory, dating to 1904 and owning a spot on the National Register of Historic Places.
Like any good beach vacay, the Instagram moments are plentiful. A quick Top 5 photo op list, HB style:
1. Surfers at the pier, especially in the morning when traffic is heaviest.
2. Pacific sunsets. With clear skies they never disappoint, especially from one of the many ocean-view restaurant patios.
3. The world’s largest surfboard outside of the International Surfing Museum. Full colour and 42-feet long it’s kitschy tourist brilliance.
4. From an open-air window seat at Primecut Taqueria, a terrific taco spot right at the corner of the Pacific Coast Highway and Main.
5. Broad Street Oyster Co. Located in the building at the ocean end of the pier, it’s a worthwhile stop for a beverage or a snack and the view.
How renowned is Huntington Beach for its ties to surfing, both in competition and recreation?
History and common sense suggests the city should be home to the Olympic surfing competition as part of the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Games. Given the politics involved with such decisions, it’s no guarantee and city officials are still waiting for a decision from Olympic organizers.
“We’re hoping that as Surf City USA, home of the largest surf contest in the world, historic Huntington Beach Pier, and our historical and cultural surf aspects will help us to be considered as the ideal Olympics surfing competition venue,” said Clara Tsang, vice-president of public relations and communications for Visit Huntington Beach.
Surfing will make its third Olympic appearance in L.A., following Tokyo and Paris, where the competition actually took place in distant Tahiti, part of French Polynesia.
Sure, there are bigger waves to be found elsewhere, but the surf at HB is renowned for its consistency, a critical factor when scheduling an event like the Olympics. And as the host of the U.S. Open of Surfing (the world’s largest competition) since 1959, the city is equipped to handle the show.
My personal parameters of where the California coast hits relax mode essentially begins when you get far enough south of bustling L.A. that the smog is in your rear view.
Various stops in Orange County fit the bill but Huntington Beach is one of the first headed south. The location — the HB pier is 60 km south of LAX — opens up a world of possibilities with easy access.
For sports fans, baseball’s Los Angeles Angels and the Anaheim Ducks are just 36 km away, as is Disney California.
Want a different beach scene? Newport Beach is just 9 km south and Laguna another 15 km down the coast. You get the point.
There are taco stops and beach bars (Duke’s and Cabo Wabo Sand Bar are just two that stand out) to sustain you, but there are some excellent higher-end food options as well.
High on our list was Jolie Restaurant and Rooftop for its stunning views of the Pacific complemented with outstanding food and drink (don’t miss the spicy tuna crispy rice stack app).
Henry’s Coastal Cuisine at the Hilton Waterfront Beach Resort is elite as well and not just for the Smoking Conductor, a bourbon-based cocktail that comes as advertised — smoking.
The Waterfront Beach Resort, a Hilton Hotel, is a perfect venue to launch an HB immersion. Just south from the pier, it is an easy walk north along the PCH to the Pier and is thus a prime oceanfront locale. The luxury resort and spa has two pools, waterslides and, in the Offshore 9 Rooftop Lounge, an incredible coastal rooftop experience.
Fine out more about visiting HB at surfcityusa.com.
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