Huntington Beach

Huntington Beaches

Together Huntington City Beach and Huntington State Beach form a 6-mile stretch of sand along the coast of the City of Huntington Beach. The pair of beaches are favorites for surfing, fishing, swimming, sun bathing, volleyball, and socializing. During the summer and early fall the Huntington Beach area is crowded with visitors drawn by the sand, the surf, and Huntington Beach's genial ambiance. For 11 million visitors every year, this is the place to be.

Huntington City Beach

Huntington City Beach's 3½ miles of beach is home to the popular Huntington Beach Pier and the site of numerous international surfing competitions. Known to many as Surf City, Huntington Beach attracts visitors from near and far. Facilities at the beach include restrooms, outdoor showers, food concessions, volleyball courts, basketball courts, and fire rings. Lifeguards are on duty during daylight hours year-round. Beach hours are 5 AM to 10 PM. The pier closes at midnight.

Parking at Huntington City Beach

Four main parking areas provide a generous number of spaces for the heavy summer traffic that converges on the beach. Along the beachfront alone there are 2,400 parking spots.

Pier Plaza Parking

A pair of lots on either side of the pier are self-service parking. Pay at the parking machine and display your receipt on your dashboard. During special events parking here may not be available.
Rates: $1.50 per hour or $15 maximum for a full day

Municipal Parking Lot

The large municipal parking lot at the southern end of the beach has entrance stations at either end. There is no hourly rate.
Rates: $15 maximum for the full day

Main Promenade Parking Structure

On Main Street between Walnut and Olive, the Main Promenade Parking Structure provides additional parking spaces.
Rates: $15 - $20 daily rate. For hourly and other rates, see City of Huntington Beach - Parking

Strand Parking Structure

Enter the Strand Parking Structure off 6th Street. They are open from 9 AM to 12 AM.
Rates: $18 - $20 daily rate. For hourly and other rates, see The Strand - Parking

More parking is found Well north of the pier in lots adjacent to the highway between Goldenwest Street and Seapoint Street.

Huntington Beach Pier

The 1,850-foot long Huntington Pier serves as a focal point for the beach scene. The original pier was erected in 1903 and gradually extended over the years, but storms caused repeated damage to it. After many repairs the original pier was declared unsafe and a new one was completed in 1992.

Ruby's Diner is situated at the end of the pier. About half way out the pier is the Surf City Store, selling clothing and novelties. At the foot of the pier is a Visitor Information Kiosk, open from 10 AM on weekends and 10:30 on weekdays during peak season.

Huntington City Beach and Pier Rules

• Riding bikes or skateboards is not allowed on the pier.
• The possession and/or consumption of alcohol is not allowed on the beach or pier.
• Dogs must be on leash and are only allowed on the service road and the Dog Beach.
• Smoking is prohibited on the beach and pier.
• The beach closes at 10 PM and the pier at midnight.

Huntington Dog Beach

An area of beach between Seapoint Avenue and 21st Street has been designated as Dog Beach. Its hours are the same as for the rest of the beach, 5 AM to 10 PM.
Huntington Dog Beach

Huntington State Beach

Huntington State Beach Services and Facilities

Services are interspersed with the string of parking lots. These services include restrooms, showers, concession stands, and shade ramadas. On the beach, lifeguard towers are situated at regular intervals. The Lifeguard Headquarters building is at the Magnolia Street entrance.

Paved ramps are located along the beach, leading out to the high tide mark. These allow those with disabilities to reach the edge of the ocean. Beach wheelchairs are available at the Lifeguard Headquarters. Fire rings on the sand are available on a first-come, first served basis.

Huntington Beach Trail

The multi-use Huntington Beach Trail runs along the edge of the sand from the southern end of Huntington State Beach, north along Huntington City Beach, and on to the north end of Bolsa Chica State Beach. The entire path is about 7 miles long. It is used by walkers, joggers, cyclists, and inline skaters. Some people enjoy walking north to Bolsa Chica Beach and then catching the local bus south for the return trip. A spur from the bike path leads up the bank of the Santa Ana River.

Parking at Huntington State Beach

Day-use admission for Huntington State Beach is $15 per vehicle. Like most other state beaches in southern California, Huntington Beach parking lots are arranged in a series of lots that stretch nearly the full length of the beach. There are four entry and exit points.

Huntington State Beach Endangered Species

Huntington State Beach serves as a sanctuary for the rare least tern, an endangered bird, and to the threatened snowy plover. An area next to the Santa Ana River at the southern end of the beach has been designated as a least tern preserve. Volunteers from the Sea & Sage Audubon Society are often on hand to keep an eye on the preserve and answer questions about the birds.
Sea & Sage Audubon Society - The Huntington Beach Least Tern Project