Things to do at Huntington City Beach

If you're looking for action, Huntington City Beach is where it's at. The waves at this stretch of sand are usually large and appear to crest perfectly, which draws more experienced surfers and body boarders. Since the waves tend to break further out, the water closest to the shoreline is excellent for swimming.

Huntington Beach Pier is located at the foot of Main Street along Pacific Coast Highway, at the heart of Downtown Huntington Beach. Originally built in 1904 and rebuilt most recently in 1992, the Huntington Beach Pier is one of the longest recreational piers in California. Stretching 1,853 feet into the Pacific Ocean, it is a favorite spot for fishermen, families and romantics who flock like the seagulls  daily to enjoy the sunsets. The pier is home to several shops and restaurants.

Dining at Huntington Beach Pier - At its base are two popular restaurants, Duke's Huntington Beach and Sandy's, offering savory fare and fabulous views. Ruby's Surf City Diner, which teeters above the ocean at the pier's very end, is reminiscent of a 1940s-era diner. Free weekend summer concerts, a weekly Farmers' Market and other special events are held nearby at Pier Plaza. Below the pier'fanning out in either direction' several different sports competitions are held each year, drawing thousands of enthusiasts and spectators.

Huntington City Beach is located along Pacific Coast Highway between Seapoint Avenue and Beach Boulevard. It is accessible to foot traffic and by car with metered parking spaces along Pacific Coast Highway from Golden West Street south to Beach Boulevard. There are parking lots available at Beach Boulevard and at Huntington Street, and pier parking is available at 2nd and 6th Streets. Metered lots are open daily from 5 a.m. through 10 p.m. at Seapoint Avenue and Golden West Street for 'Dog Beach.'

Beach hours are 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. The pier is open daily until midnight. Parking: The parking lots adjacent to the pier are $1.50 per hour or $15 -20 per day in the summer months. The north parking section at Pier Plaza has a $15-20 per day flat-fee from mid-June through Labor Day Weekend. Municipal parking lots along Pacific Coast Highway charge similar fees.

Huntington City Beach, Huntington Beach Pier (Page 7, left to right) AVP Huntington Beach Open, Huntington City Beach among the events are the US Open of Surfing' and the AVP Huntington Beach Open. It's also where the USA Surf Team undergoes rigorous training to prepare for its many international competitions. South of the pier is one of the most eye-catching lifeguard facilities in the world, the Vince G. Moorhouse Lifeguard Headquarters. Gracing the exterior of the building is a stretch of terrazzo surfboards and body boards emblazoned with the national flags of countries that have a connection to surfing. This facility serves as the nerve center for radio communication between the city's 22 lifeguard towers, which include Lifeguard Tower Zero located halfway down the pier. Training rooms for ongoing lifeguard instruction and an infirmary for the injured are also housed here. Even dogs can spend the day at Huntington City Beach at a special section called 'Dog Beach,' located between Seapoint Avenue and Golden West Street. Here two- and four-legged visitors can romp freely in the surf. It's not unusual to spot a tail wagging atop a surfboard as man and his best friend ride a wave in tandem. Bolsa Chica State Beach, on the northern end of Huntington Beach, is known for its gentle, manageable surf. Its shallow bottom shelf produces smaller waves, which makes it an ideal location to master surfing. Unlike other beaches that blackball surfing during peak hours, most areas allow surfers to enjoy the sport all year long. Managed by the California Department of Parks and Recreation, Bolsa Chica State Beach is also known for its surf fishing. The southern most section of sand in town is known as Huntington State Beach, serving as the training site for all California State lifeguards. Governed by the California Department of Parks and Recreation, it is also home to a nature preserve at its southern end. The sanctuary, separated from the beach by a fence, is where the California Least Tern, a rare and endangered species of bird, makes its nesting grounds. 8 HUNTINGTON BEACH VISITORS GUIDE | 2007 meters are $1.50 per hour. Prices may be higher during holidays or special events. Phone: 714.536.5286 RV Camping: Sunset Vista Campground, located within the Huntington City Beach parking lot south of the pier, is open from October through May. It has on-site electrical and water hookups. RV parking is $45 per night. Tent camping is not permitted. For information call 714.969.5621. Bolsa Chica State Beach Located along Pacific Coast Highway between Warner and Seapoint Avenues, the beach is open to foot traffic at Warner Avenue and only accessible by car through a single entry point at the stoplight located one mile south of Warner Avenue across from the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve entrance. Hours: Daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.; gate for vehicle entry closes at 9 p.m. 'CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7 CONTINUED ON PAGE 10' DEBBIE STOCK (Left to right) Dog Beach, Huntington City Beach 10 HUNTINGTON BEACH VISITORS GUIDE | 2007 Parking: $10 per day; RVs are $34'$44 per night during summer months and $29'$39 per night during non-summer months. Phone: 714.846.3460; 714.377.5691 RV Camping: The RV campground is available year-round. Reservations must be booked through Reserve America at 800.444.7275. Electrical and water hookups, as well as a dump station, are available onsite. Campers who leave and return after 9 p.m. must make advance arrangements with park staff at 714.377.5691. Tent camping is not permitted. Huntington State Beach Located along Pacific Coast Highway between Beach Boulevard and the Santa Ana River bordering Newport Beach. It is open year-round to vehicle and foot traffic at the main entrance located at Magnolia Street and Pacific Coast Highway. Hours: Daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.; gate for vehicle entry closes at 9 p.m. Parking: $10 per car. Phone: 714.536.1454 POPULAR BEACH ACTIVITIES BEACH VOLLEYBALL Beach volleyball is enormously popular in Huntington Beach. You'll find 20 courts clustered around the pier, plus an additional 10 courts'grouped in pairs'between the pier and Beach Boulevard. Huntington State Beach also has nets. While the protocol is first-come, first-served, the wait is rarely long. To start a game, arrive with a ball or rent one at a nearby concessionaire. BICYCLING Not only is Huntington Beach pedestrian-friendly, it's extremely inviting for cyclists. The eight and a half mile Huntington Beach Ocean Strand is a paved pathway that spans the entire length of Surf City' beaches with a spectacular view of the Pacific Ocean. A variety of single and tandem bikes, surrey cycles, beach cruisers and more are available for rental at many local hotels, as well as near the pier from Dwight's at the Beach (714.536.8083) and Zack's Beach Concessions (714.536.0215). BONFIRES Nothing captures the spirit of Huntington Beach better than an after-dark bonfire. It's practically a rite of passage. You'll find nearly 600 concrete fire rings strategically located between the parking lot and surf. Fire rings are available on a first-come, first-served basis and are highly coveted on summer and holiday weekends. Firewood can be purchased from a number of beach concessionaires and nearby supermarkets. FISHING Thousands of anglers visit Huntington Beach each month, many on a daily basis. Several fishing tournaments are hosted throughout the year, as well. Surf fishers catch corbina, croaker, guitarfish, perch, sand sharks and sargo within 30 feet of the shore. From the pier, anglers also reel in bass, bonito, butterfish, halibut, jacksmelt, mackerel, sardines and turbot.You can rent a rod and reel on the pier from Let's Go Fishin' bait and tackle (714.960.1392). Deep-sea fishing tours are offered at the Peter's Landing Marina by Rail Time (714.596.3410).Although a fishing license is not required on the pier, a fishing license is required everywhere else if you are 16 years or older. SURFING Surfing in Huntington Beach is intense and exciting nearly every day of the year. You'll need a surfboard, leash and wetsuit, plus your own supply of balance, strength and stamina. There are several surf schools to help you learn the sport or improve your form, including the girls-only HB Wahine Surfing School (714.969.9399). Other surf schools include: Huntington Surf & Sport (714.841.4000); Zack's (714.536.0215); California Junior Lifeguard's Super Surf Camp (714.680.4000); Corky Carroll's Surf School (714.969.3959); HB Soul/Billabong (877.768.5773); Thobe's Surf School (714.878.7827); and Toes on the Nose (714.845.4638).