Huntington Beach includes four major beaches, two operated by California State Parks and two operated by the City of Huntington Beach. It can be a little confusing when you say you're heading for the beach in "HB" because you really need to specify which beach you are going to if you plan to meet up with friends.
If you're coming on Pacific Coast Highway from Seal Beach, Long Beach or L.A., the first beach you'll encounters is Sunset Beach.
SUNSET BEACH: Beach parking is along the residential street lined with houses and there are no meters so parking fills up fast.
BOLSA CHICA STATE BEACH: Continuing south on Coast Highway you will turn right into the gated parking areas and toll booths for this state beach which charges a fee of around $15-20. Bonfire rings are available, first come first serve and there are beach concessions and restrooms.
HUNTINGTON CITY BEACH: As you proceed south you'll see Dog Beach going up the hill and two metered parking lots that are often full on busy days. In the distance you may notice the Huntington Beach Pier on your right side. Once you notice it you're usually at the City Beach where there's metered street parking and parking lots with pay stations. Don't take a chance of not paying as the City has lots of people looking to write tickets. Further south around Beach Blvd. intersection, the right turn into beach parking gives you an option of turning right again for toll booth/attendant parking and Huntington City Beach, or toll booth/attendant parking for Huntington State beach to the left. The prices are about the same for parking most days and both beaches have free bonfire pits, volleyball nets, concessions, restrooms, etc.
HUNTINGTON STATE BEACH: The southernmost beach of Huntington Beach begins around Beach Blvd. intersection and ends at the Santa Ana River Channel that flows into the Pacific Ocean bordering Newport Beach. If you drive past Brookhurst intersection on Coast Highway, you've gone too far. You'll have to turn around to park and access HB's beaches.
Huntington Beach also has a manmade harbor with beaches on bays where the water is calm. Mother's Beach is a popular beach among them, but not appealing to tourists as it lacks amenities and it's kind of tiny. Plus, there's not much parking available.
Huntington Beach Photo Galleries (pier pix, sunsets, etc.) Housed in the photo section of our website are some great Huntington Beach pictures showing sunsets and pier shots.
Huntington Beach Admiralty Island
Huntington Beach Bolsa Chica State Beach in, CA
Bolsa Chica State Beach in Huntington Beach, CA
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HUNTINGTON BEACH NEWSLETTERS
2021 - If you're a history buff, one of the highlights to these weekly newsletters is a column by Jerry Persons, the city historian. If you like to hear with the city officials are busy doing, this newsletter might be for you.