Huntington Beach, CA--When the sun shines on a rainbow-colored umbrella shading a patch of sand on the Huntington City Beach, the days seems exceptionally bright. Beach umbrellas that you can plant into the sand are sold mostly during the summer months in the drugstores, discount retailers such as Walmart and Target, and at the beach. But you can also rent the umbrellas and beach chairs at beach concessions so you aren't stuck with finding places to store them the rest of the year when you don't need them.

Concessions in Huntington Beach that rent umbrellas include Zack's on the north side of the Huntington Beach Pier. In Ventura each summer there are beach butlers providing a place where you can rent your umbrella, comfortable lounge chair to shade you and even some beach-side service. You'll also find cabanas (available at many luxury beach hotels, such as Hyatt Regency in Huntington Beach and Bacara in Santa Barbara) and at Descanso Beach in Avalon, you rent cabanas with service for a daily fee.

Why would someone rent an umbrella when the whole purpose of going to Huntington Beach beaches is to get sunshine' Truth is that many people don't seek the sun so much as the experience of watching the waves, surfers, and enjoying the fresh air outdoors near the Pacific Ocean. Beach umbrellas don't block all the sun, but they do provide enough shade to allow visitors to stay longer with less direct exposure.

The parking at the beach near Huntington Beach Pier is city beach parking.