Fun Stuff To Do In Huntington Beach

Huntington Beach offers everything from relaxing days on its famous beaches to an exciting nightlife on Main Street. There is no reason for a dull weekend since there is always something to do.

Exploring all of Huntington Beach would take a month. But try some of the following activities to get a feel for this city and its vibrant residents. You can easily find $100 off vacation package deal on vacation deal comparison websites if you are lucky and quick enough.

Beaches

Of course, you’re going to go to the beach. That’s what this town is famous for, and it’s the reason for the nickname, “Surf City.”

The main beach is the beach around the pier, straight off of Pacific Coast Highway and Main Street. If you are into surfing, you will have a chance to see some world-class surfers. This is where some of the top surfers in the world learned their trade.

If you go north, you’ll run into Bolsa Chica State Beach. This beach is quieter, well suited for families, and a perfect place for picnics. The beach itself is narrower than the beach near the pier, so walking to the concession stands and restrooms is easier.

In between the main beach near the pier, and Bolsa Chica Beach is a small swath of beach informally called Dog Beach. Dogs aren’t allowed on the beaches, except for this area. If you want to experience your best furry friend jumping in the waves, then this is the place to go.

Further south, starting at Beach Boulevard and going to the Santa Ana River is Huntington Beach State Beach. This beach is great for RVers looking to hang out for a day. The parking lots are large and can easily handle large vehicles. The beach is wide with plenty of volleyball nets and empty areas for pickup football or flying disc games.

Huntington Beach Pier

Built in 1903, Huntington Beach Pier is one of the oldest and longest piers on the West Coast. It’s a great place to take a stroll, watch the surfers in the water, or have lunch in the restaurant at the end. If you feel like ocean fishing, this is the place to be, and you don’t need a fishing license to fish from piers.

International Surfing Museum

Huntington Beach is home to the International Surfing Museum. This museum has collected memorabilia from all around the world, a celebration and commemoration of the surfing culture. Every Sunday, they have “Surfing Sundays,” a free outdoor concert featuring local surf rock bands.

Location: 411 Olive Street. About two blocks away from Pacific Coast Highway

Old World

Take a step away from the beach and visit Old World, a restaurant and shopping center modeled after a traditional German town. Their restaurant serves authentic German meals and offers a wide variety of German, American, and microbrewery beers. Attached to the restaurant is a small store selling German goods and it has a European-styled butcher shop. There are also small boutiques, eateries, and specialty shops. If you are there in October, don’t miss their annual Oktoberfest celebration.

 Location: 7561 Center Ave, Huntington Beach, CA 92647

Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve

Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve is a wetland preserve located across Pacific Coast Highway from Bolsa Chica State Beach. This preserve is home to over 300-plus species of birds and is one of the few protected wetlands in the world. There is a nice, flat hike around the preserve or you can walk out into the area behind the preserve. If you do, you’ll see an old gun emplacement from World War II.

Location: Across PCH from Bolsa Chica State Beach.

Huntington Beach Night Life

Main Street near PCH is the hub of nightlife for Huntington Beach. This area is home to over 80 restaurants, bars, clubs, and breweries. You can dance to all styles of music or relax inside one of the local coffee houses. Or you can revisit the pier, and see the skyline at night.

Disc Golf and The Shipley Nature Center

If you are looking for a more active time, grab your favorite flying disc and head over to the Central Park Disc Gold Course. This city run flying disc course expands over rolling hills, and the trees make it very challenging.

After you’re done chasing your disc, head over to the nearby Shipley Nature Center. It’s right next door to the disc course. You’ll stroll around a lake among California native plants and habitat.

There are too many fun places and activities for one list. But, these locations will give you a taste of the diversified life Huntington Beach has to offer.