Huntington Beach, Calif., aka Surf City, is best known for its surf-friendly waves and 10 miles of broad sand beaches. The SoCal city welcomes more than 16 million beach visitors a year and offers them plenty to do during their stay. If you happen to find yourself in or around the city, make sure to try one of these five beach activities before dining in one of the metropolis’s award-winning restaurants.
Walk the pier
The world famous Huntington Beach Pier is a tourist favorite. One of the West Coast’s longest piers, it stretches 1,850 feet into the Pacific Ocean and offers a close-up view of nearby surfers. You can also rent a pole and go fishing (no license necessary!), shop for souvenirs or dine with an ocean view at Ruby’s Surf City Diner.
Fly kites
This is a simple yet fun beach activity. Buy an acrobatic kite (starting at $20) available for purchase on the pier and join the handful of others taking advantage of windy weather.
Learn how to surf
Huntington Beach provides the perfect waves for surfing and for that reason the water is always teeming with grateful surfing professionals and novices. Get in on the fun by taking a lesson provided by one of several nearby surf schools and see what it’s like to surf the waters used to host the biggest surf competitions in the world.
Visit the dog beach
Whether you brought your pooch along and want him to be part of the fun or you just want to witness some playing and frolicking while getting a better view of the more experienced surfers (the dog beach has better waves), this is the place for you. Close-by restaurants welcome your furry friend and if you’re visiting in September, you might get a view of some canine surfing.
Yoga on the beach
Huntington Beach is a laid-back city so it’s no surprise a favorite pastime of the locals is enjoying yoga on the beach. If you’re an old pro then you’ll have no trouble finding a private spot on the 10-mile long beach, but there are plenty of classes (some of them free!) for beginners and experts to enjoy.
Read This Next
He’enalu: The Ancient Art of Surfing
Adventure
Oct 27, 2014All Reads on This Topic
Read Them All
#TrazeeTravel
Insta FeedDestinations / North America
Apr 30, 2025Huttopia Debuts New Ready-to-Camp Destination in The Berkshires
Huttopia announced its newest location, Huttopia Berkshires, will open to guests in July. Reservations are now open. This marks Huttopia’s first property in Massachusetts and one of its only year-round properties in the region.
Sponsored Content
AmaWaterways’ Specialty River Cruises
When you embark on a river cruise with award-winning AmaWaterways, unpack once and step aboard a world of unparalleled experiences. With enriching excursions, exquisite locally sourced food and wine, nightly entertainment and more included in the fare, you will learn why AmaWaterways has the most returning guests out of any river cruise line.
Travel
Apr 30, 2025Platform Helps Remote Workers, Business Travelers Find Work-Friendly Hotels
If you’ve ever attempted to work on the go — not necessarily for a business trip, but just because your job offers the flexibility of remote working — you may have struggled with working from your hotel room. Your options are typically plugging your laptop in next to a tiny in-room table, if you’re lucky, or you’re stuck answering emails from your hotel bed — hardly conducive to productivity.
Hotel
Apr 30, 2025Discover the Best of the Adirondacks at Schroon Lake
Looking for the perfect summer kick-off trip? The Lodge at Schroon Lake, in the Adirondacks, offers the ultimate vacation for travelers of all ages. Expect outdoor activities, beautiful scenery and lakeside fun — all the necessary ingredients for an unforgettable summer trip. Here’s a closer look at what The Lodge at Schroon Lake has to offer this summer:
Destinations / North America
Apr 29, 2025Cheapest U.S. Fall Shoulder Season Destinations Revealed
Planning ahead for a fall shoulder season (mid-September–October) trip? If you’re traveling on a budget, you’ll want to visit one of the cheapest U.S. fall shoulder season destinations.
Hotel
Apr 29, 2025Fairmont Royal York’s Spring Programming
Take in the Splendor of Spring, a curated selection of activities and events, at Fairmont Royal York.
ShareThis