Huntington Beach Area Guide: Things to Do, Coffee and Food
Huntington Beach runs along the Orange County coast from Sunset Beach and the Bolsa Chica wetlands south to the Santa Ana River, with Pacific Coast Highway and an 8.5-mile paved beach trail following the sand. Its concrete pier, roughly 1,850 feet long, reaches out from the foot of Main Street, where surf shops, restaurants and the oceanfront Pacific City center cluster, and the name Surf City USA was trademarked for the city in 2006. Inland, Beach Boulevard and Goldenwest Street lead to the 350-acre Huntington Central Park, the Bavarian-style Old World Village and the channels of Huntington Harbour.
Getting around
Pacific Coast Highway follows the shoreline, Beach Boulevard is the main north-south route inland, Interstate 405 crosses the city's northeast side, and OCTA buses run on the major streets. The paved beach trail runs 8.5 miles between Bolsa Chica and Huntington state beaches and connects to the Santa Ana River Trail at the city's southeast edge; the nearest Metrolink and Amtrak Pacific Surfliner stations are inland in Santa Ana and Anaheim, and John Wayne Airport and Long Beach Airport are the closest airports.
Neighborhoods to know
Downtown and Main Street. Main Street runs inland from the pier past surf shops, bars and restaurants to the Main Street Library and Art Center, with Pacific City's oceanfront shops on PCH and side streets such as Fifth Street and Walnut Avenue mixing low-rise storefronts, condos and older beach cottages.
Huntington Harbour. Man-made channels and small islands at the city's northwest corner lined with waterfront homes and boat docks, with Huntington Harbour Mall on Algonquin Street, the yacht club on Warner Avenue, and kayak, paddleboard and Duffy boat rentals on the water.
Sunset Beach. A narrow stretch of Pacific Coast Highway north of Warner Avenue, now part of Huntington Beach, with beach cottages, surf shops, galleries, bars and casual stops such as Pocket Burger Shack and the Riip Beer Co. tasting room.
Old World Village and Bella Terra. Near the 405 and Beach Boulevard, Old World Village's Bavarian-style buildings and roughly 70 murals hold a German restaurant, deli, bakery and shops, close to the Bella Terra open-air shopping center on Edinger Avenue.
Things to do in Huntington Beach
Huntington Beach Pier, Main Street and Pacific Coast Highway. The concrete pier reaches roughly 1,850 feet into the Pacific from the foot of Main Street, with surfers on both sides and a seafood restaurant at the far end. The current pier was completed and rededicated in 1992 after storms destroyed the previous one.
Huntington City Beach and the beach trail, Pacific Coast Highway between Goldenwest Street and Beach Boulevard. About 3.5 miles of city beach between Goldenwest Street and Beach Boulevard, open 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., with roughly 100 first-come fire rings starting in front of Pacific City and a paved path for walking, skating and biking.
Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve, 18000 Pacific Coast Hwy., with parking on Warner Avenue and on PCH. More than 1,300 acres of salt and freshwater marsh, mudflats and dunes around a saltwater estuary, with about 4 miles of trails and boardwalks, an interpretive center and more than 200 recorded bird species; open daily 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., and dogs and bikes are not allowed.
Huntington Central Park and Shipley Nature Center, 17851 Goldenwest St. (Shipley Nature Center). About 350 acres of lawns, lakes and trails with the Central Library, an equestrian center, a sports complex and a dog park. Inside it, the 18-acre Shipley Nature Center has trails through native habitats and is free to walk Tuesday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
International Surfing Museum, 525 Main St. Surfboards, photographs and memorabilia from the city's surf history. The museum moved from Olive Avenue into the Main Street Library and reopened in July 2026, with an exhibition on 50 years of professional surfing; open Tuesday to Thursday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Friday and Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Huntington Beach Art Center, 538 Main St. Gallery and studio space with rotating exhibitions in four galleries plus art classes and lectures; exhibitions are free, open Tuesday noon to 8 p.m., Wednesday and Thursday noon to 6 p.m., and Friday and Saturday noon to 5 p.m.
Huntington Dog Beach, Pacific Coast Highway between Seapoint and 21st streets. A leash-optional stretch of sand at the north end of the city beach, open 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. and kept up by community donations; dogs stay leashed in the parking lot, on the bluff and on the beach trail.
Bolsa Chica State Beach, 17851 Pacific Coast Hwy. About three miles of state beach along PCH with close to 200 fire rings, a 50-site campground for self-contained RVs and the north end of the paved beach trail; open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. with cashless, pay-by-plate parking.
Events and markets
Surf City Nights. When: Tuesdays, 5 to 9 p.m. from March through November and 5 to 8 p.m. from December through February. Where: First three blocks of Main Street, downtown (201 Main St.) Weekly street fair and certified farmers market with produce, flowers, baked goods, local artisans, live music and sidewalk sales; the street closes to traffic.
US Open of Surfing. When: Usually late July into early August; the 2026 event ran July 25 to August 2. Where: South side of the Huntington Beach Pier. Free, multi-day pro surf contest with World Surf League longboard and Challenger Series divisions, plus live music, brand demos and athlete signings on the sand.
Fourth of July celebration. When: July 4 each year; in 2026 the Surf City 5K started at 7 a.m., the parade at 10 a.m. and fireworks over the ocean at 9 p.m. Where: Main Street, Pier Plaza and the beach, downtown. Daylong celebration built around a long-running parade, with a 5K run, entertainment on Main Street, a carnival at Pier Plaza and a fireworks show with paid seating.
Pacific Airshow. When: Usually a three-day weekend in late September or early October. Where: Over the ocean off Huntington City Beach, downtown. Military jet teams, aerobatic pilots and parachutists perform offshore, with ticketed viewing areas on the sand; gates typically open at 9 a.m. and flying runs through the afternoon.
Oktoberfest at Old World Village. When: Mid-September to early November, Wednesdays through Sundays; the 2026 season runs September 12 to November 8. Where: Old World Village, 7561 Center Ave. German food, imported beer, German bands, games and contests in the village's Bavarian-style plaza, with tickets that range from free to paid weekend entry.
Huntington Harbour Cruise of Lights. When: Nightly in the days before Christmas; the 2026 cruises run December 19 to 23 at 5:30, 6:30 and 7:30 p.m. Where: Huntington Harbour; parking and shuttle at Huntington Harbour Mall, 16889 Algonquin St. 50-minute narrated boat tours past decorated waterfront homes, a fundraiser for the Philharmonic Society of Orange County's youth music programs; tickets required.
Coffee in Huntington Beach
602 Coffee House, 602 Pacific Coast Hwy. Specialty coffee shop on PCH across from the beach, with its own parking lot, serving drip coffee, flavored lattes, acai bowls, bagel sandwiches and avocado toast; beans are roasted at its Goldenwest Street location.
IYKYK! Coffee Lab, 21058 Pacific Coast Hwy., Suite 170 (Lot 579 at Pacific City). Espresso and ceremonial matcha bar in the Lot 579 food hall at Pacific City, opened in 2024, with pastries from regional bakeries, communal tables and vinyl listening stations.
Sur Coffee, 214 5th St., Suite 102. Coastal specialty coffee shop and roastery on Fifth Street downtown, pouring espresso drinks and pour-overs from beans roasted in-house; open daily 6:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Succulent Coffee Roasters, 17196 Pacific Coast Hwy. Specialty roaster's cafe at the corner of Pacific Coast Highway and Warner Avenue, between Sunset Beach and Huntington Harbour, serving house blends and single-origin coffees with online ordering for pickup.
Moonwood Coffee Co., 10178 Adams Ave. Coffee shop and bakehouse on Adams Avenue with espresso drinks such as a cedar cinnamon latte, teas, breakfast items, cinnamon rolls, quiche and Italian dishes; open daily 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Places to eat
Duke's Huntington Beach, 317 Pacific Coast Hwy. ($$$). Hawaiian-inspired seafood restaurant on the sand beside the pier, named for surfer Duke Kahanamoku, serving fresh fish, steaks and island dishes, with brunch on weekends.
Sushi on Fire, 301 Main St., Suite 103 ($$). Family-owned sushi restaurant on Main Street with sashimi, specialty rolls, weekday lunch bento boxes and chirashi bowls, plus sake, beer and wine.
Tacos Los Cholos, 333 Walnut Ave. ($). Counter-service taqueria grilling tacos over an open flame, from asada, adobada and chorizo to ribeye and filet, plus burritos, loaded potatoes and patio seating.
Mama's on 39, 21022 Beach Blvd. ($$). Comfort-food restaurant and bar on Beach Boulevard serving breakfast skillets, chorizo scrambles, French toast, chicken and waffles and flatbreads, with brunch drinks daily until 3 p.m.
25 Degrees, 412 Walnut Ave. ($$). Downtown burger bar with a smashburger, small plates such as deviled eggs and fried pickles, and cocktails in a room of dark wood and chandeliers, with live music on weekends.
Pocket Burger Shack, 16873 Pacific Coast Hwy. (Sunset Beach) ($). Small burger stand just off PCH in Sunset Beach with burgers, breakfast burritos, bowls, chicken tacos, shakes and daily agua frescas, plus picnic-table seating; open daily 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Old World Restaurant & Biergarten, 7561 Center Ave. ($$). German restaurant and beer garden in Old World Village serving German and European dishes with imported beer and cocktails, open daily, with live music Wednesday through Sunday.
Park Bench Cafe, 17732 Goldenwest St. ($). Breakfast and lunch cafe with outdoor seating inside Huntington Central Park, including a separate menu for dogs; no reservations, an online waitlist, and closed Mondays, Tuesdays and rainy days.
Hours, prices and event details checked October 2026.
Huntington Beach questions
Can you have a bonfire on the beach in Huntington Beach?
Yes, in designated fire rings only. Huntington City Beach has about 100 rings starting in front of Pacific City between First and Huntington streets, and Bolsa Chica and Huntington state beaches have more, open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.; all are first come, first served.
Where can dogs go on the beach in Huntington Beach?
Huntington Dog Beach, on the sand between Seapoint and 21st streets, is leash optional from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. Dogs must be leashed in its parking lot and on the bluff, and at Bolsa Chica State Beach leashed dogs may use the paved trail but not the sand.
How long is the Huntington Beach Pier?
About 1,850 feet. The current concrete pier at Main Street and Pacific Coast Highway replaced one wrecked by storms in the 1980s; construction began in 1990 and it was rededicated in July 1992.
Escrow notes for Huntington Beach
Transfer tax. Orange County documentary transfer tax is $1.10 per $1,000 of value ($0.55 per $500). Huntington Beach has its own documentary transfer tax ordinance (Municipal Code Chapter 3.20) at $0.275 per $500, which is half the county rate; under Revenue and Taxation Code section 11931 the county credits it against the county tax, so the total stays $1.10 per $1,000 and the city adds nothing on top. Source: official page.
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About this guide. Cal West Escrow wrote this guide to share general local information. No business paid to be included, and we do not accept free goods or services for mentions. A mention is not an endorsement, and hours, prices and events change, so check with each business before you go. Business names and trademarks belong to their owners. Transfer tax and other escrow notes are general information as of October 2026, not legal or tax advice. Cal West Escrow is committed to fair housing: this guide describes places, not people, and is not meant to suggest who should live anywhere.