Huntington Beach, CA

Huntington Beach was settled as an agricultural area, which a cattle route ran through. It remained a sparsely populated town until the oil boom of the 1920's caused it to be one of the fastest growing cities in the country.

Most famous as a surfing destination, the swells and currents of Huntington Beach create a consistent surf throughout the year. You can explore this history with a trip to the International Surf Museum, which houses a collection of surfing memorabilia from around the world. A historical downtown walking tour will teach you all about the historic sites. The Huntington Beach Pier is also a landmark and is one of the longest piers on the West Coast. Check out the Huntington Beach Art Center to see galleries of contemporary art from all types of media as well as regular movie screenings. It also features educational seminars and live performances.

Restaurants in Huntington Beach serve many different kinds of cuisine. Achiote Grill combines Mexican fare and fresh seafood to produce renowned dishes such as their shrimp tacos. In the morning, you can start off the day with a breakfast burrito and cup of coffee. The Black Trumpet Bistro fuses Greek and Italian cuisine to create a menu inspired by the Mediterranean. This restaurant makes an ideal spot for social outings because you can pass plates of tapas around the table to share with friends in an intimate setting. Be sure to pick the tuna tartare and beef carpaccio as part of your selections since they make up some of the favorite dishes.

You will have an equally expansive selection of nightlife options, most of which can be found in the downtown area. Hurricanes Bar and Grill provides the best dancing since they have an electronic light dance floor that's always packed with people at night. Different DJ's play music every night of the week and people enjoy the thousands of different cocktail combinations served at the 36-foot long bar. The best dive bar in the area is Johnny's Saloon, which has a decidedly punk rock vibe. You won't hear any of the normal radio hits playing from the jukebox since it only plays alternative non-mainstream music. People enjoy ordering from the selection of over 100 craft whiskeys, easily the largest variety in Orange County. If you crave something to eat, just step out into the parking lot where food trucks park to serve up food.

The many transportation options make it a breeze to get around within Huntington Beach. City buses run throughout and bike lanes make biking easy. Crosswalks and sidewalks render walking an option as well. You can park your car in one of the multiple garages or the expansive parking lot next to the beach and fares run around $15 per day. The many taxi companies in Huntington Beach can also give you a ride and Uber services the area as well.

Many options also exist for getting to surrounding areas. By driving on Interstate 5 or 405, you can access Los Angeles, Irvine or Anaheim in under an hour. However, be sure to plan your trips around the traffic, since it can be notoriously congested in southern California, particularly around rush hour. Buses, taxis, and shuttles also run regularly between Huntington Beach and these cities.

The beaches offer numerous recreational activities.The U.S. Open of Surfing and more than 50 other surfing competitions take place throughout the year at Huntington Beach. Many species of rare and endangered birds live in Bolsa Chica Ecological Preserve, making it a destination for bird watchers and wildlife enthusiasts. You can also observe blue whales from shore during their migrations. While dogs are not allowed on most beaches, your pet can enjoy a day at the beach at Huntington Dog Beach. You can use these beaches free of charge, but most require a fee for parking.

Huntington Beach has more than 70 parks, which you can use free of charge. Many of them have playgrounds, picnic areas and courts for athletic activities. Huntington Beach Central Park encompasses more than 350 acres, making it the largest public park in Orange County. Wildlife activities are popular since it contains a nature center, several lakes and an urban forest. Exercise opportunities such as a track and equestrian center help make it one of the most visited parks in the city.

Enjoy a day on the water by kayaking or paddle boarding through Huntington Harbor, another popular recreational site. At Christmas, boats decked out in lights and decorations parade through the harbor in a unique take on the traditional Christmas parade. Deep sea fishing charters also dock from the harbor and give you the chance to try your hand at being a fisherman as you enjoy the natural beauty of the open sea.

The cost of living in Huntington Beach is 65 percent greater than the national average, with housing costs up to three times the national average. Rent for a one-bedroom apartment typically runs about $1000 per month. Gas prices remain at more than 13 percent higher than the national average and a pint of beer at a local bar will cost around $4. Bus fare to Los Angeles on the Line 460 bus costs $4.

Many shopping opportunities exist in Huntington Beach, including both outlet stores and boutiques. Check out Luna Boutique, which sells a variety of dresses and outfits for special occasions, for modern ladies' clothing and high-end jewelry. Due to its status as a surfing destination, a number of surf shops can be found throughout the city, such as Huntington Beach Surf & Sport. This shop sells anything you could need for a day of surfing, and it has one of the largest selections of surfboards around. Locals also visit this store to choose from a variety of wetsuits and to buy one of the signature handwoven blankets, ideal for lounging on during a day at the beach.

Residents do their grocery shopping at Albertsons and Vons, two of the large supermarkets that serve the area. To buy local produce, visit one of the many farmers markets in Huntington Beach. The Surf City Nights Certified Farmers' Market and Street Fair encompasses an entire city block and features art by local artists as well as live entertainment and dancing. Saturday morning farmers markets on the waterfront also have fun kids stuff like pony rides and petting zoos.