SeeCalifornia.com

From my home office in Huntington Beach this week I spotted an article in the New York Times titled, “What stinks in Huntington Beach?” The story discussed a noxious odor people have smelled in a 20 mile stretch from Costa Mesa to Huntington Beach, Seal Beach and Belmont Shore in Long Beach.  I have smelled it and was alarmed, as were my neighbors. Some called the city while others called the gas company. Since the source hasn’t been identified, it’s unclear who’s responsible.

• The likelihood of smelling “the stink” is extremely low for the 11-to-15 million tourists each year at HB’s 9.3 miles of beaches which include two of California State Parks’ most visited assets, Huntington State Beach and Bolsa Chica State Beach. During the past several months I have noticed strong odors three times. Each episode lasted 5-20 minutes.
• The odor smells like stinky mercaptan added to natural gas products. It also has hints of manure and chemicals used in lawn fertilizer.
• It is so strong and permeating that I have feared lighting a match on my BBQ grill with the thought that it could explode.
• If you close all windows and turn on air conditioning you don’t smell it.
• Once based on an oil economy and known as “Oil City“, Huntington Beach residents live near oil fields and offshore oil platforms. We are familiar with odd smells of the oil industry. This odor seems related.