Downtown Huntington Beach

 

 

 

 

Downtown Huntington Beach is a vibrant, energetic seaside community known for being a surfer’s paradise with an endless summer feel. It is located along the Pacific Ocean in Orange County, just 36 miles south of Los Angeles and 90 miles north of San Diego, and is the most populous beach city in Orange County. The city was named after Henry E. Huntington, the Pacific Electric Railway Company owner, which connected Huntington Beach with Los Angeles. Duke Kahanamoku, a renowned and legendary surfer from Hawaii, brought surfing to the area in the 1920s. The sport quickly became popular, leading to Huntington Beach earning the nickname “Surf City USA” in the 1960s.

 

The downtown area continues to experience tremendous growth as new businesses move into the area and existing ones expand. Downtown Huntington Beach offers an array of shopping opportunities, with more than 100 shops and eateries lining Main Street and Pacific Coast Highway. Real estate in this area includes spacious luxury condominiums with incredible views of the ocean and Huntington Beach Pier and spacious homes in various architectural styles, from modern to Spanish haciendas and classic California bungalows.

 

 

Downtown Huntington Beach is the epitome of the West Coast beach lifestyle. This oceanfront community is known for its longboard surfing culture and strong community spirit. Residents take full advantage of its nine and a half miles of sandy beach and 16 miles of coastline by incorporating into their daily routine outdoor activities such as jogging, skating, biking, beach volleyball, and walking along the gorgeous coast. The beach lifestyle goes beyond the sand and water to include an embrace of wellness, from healthy food choices, yoga, and other forms of self-care, to a clear value placed on balancing the good life, fun, and family with professional responsibilities.

 

Along Main Street and the Pier, you'll find popular independent boutiques and shops perfect for updating your surfing and swim gear. At nearby Fashion Island, residents can expand their wardrobes with high-end quality pieces from every major fashion house. Locals frequent Trader Joe's, The Fresh Market, or Whole Foods Market on Pacific Coast Highway for specialty foods.

 

The dining scene in Downtown Huntington Beach is diverse, with options for every taste. From casual to upscale, you’ll find everything from Mexican food to fine dining. Named for the famous Hawaiian surfer Duke Kahanamoku, Dukes has been around since Surf City got its name. Residents love its Hawaiian-inspired menu and the incredible ocean views. Sugar Shack and its breakfast all day is another independently owned family establishment and a local favorite for nearly 50 years. Besides the iconic location and incredible views at Fred's Mexican Café at the corner of Main Street and Pacific Coast Highway, locals love it for its friendly service, good music, great Mexican food, and some of the best Margaritas north of the border. For the best Happy Hour, live music, and trivia nights, residents flock to Hurricane, where there is always something entertaining happening every night of the week.

 

Besides enjoying all the recreation that the surf and sand have to offer, Downtown Huntington Beach residents enjoy easy access to arts and activities and plenty of community events, which are a significant part of what makes living here so unique. The Huntington Beach Art Center hosts a variety of compelling art exhibitions, lectures, and film and video screens for the public to attend. This community-centered organization also provides the local population with classes year-round for youth and adults in various media.

 

The Surf City Nights Street Fair and Farmers Market occurs periodically on Tuesday evenings along Main Street. The streets are closed off to traffic and come alive with pedestrians and local businesses, artisans, and farms who bring their arts and crafts, food booths, live music, entertainment for kids, and more! It's a great way to spend time with family and friends while supporting local businesses.

 

The 4th of July Parade in Huntington Beach is known for being the “largest 4th of July celebration west of the Mississippi.” It features over 30 creative and celebratory floats in the parade annually. Another great event is the Huntington Beach Pro-Am Surf Series, which is unique in the variety of competitions. Not only can the public enjoy watching professional surfers compete for prize money, but there are also novice to master level contests that bring everyone together on the sand and sea. Huntington Beach is also home to the U.S. Open of Surfing, a week-long celebration of surfing and its culture.

 

Lastly, no city would be complete without its own Oktoberfest, and Huntington Beach does not disappoint! Held at Old World Huntington Beach, locals come to polka to German Bands from overseas, compete in fun games and sample some of the best German food around.

 

Huntington Beach families are served by the eight elementary and middle schools of the Huntington Beach City School District and the six high schools of the Huntington Beach Union High School District.

 

• John R. Peterson Elementary School
• Ethel Dwyer Middle School 
• Edison High School