Whatever the weather, the sun has shone most every day and the surfers are in top form for the summer competitions. Above is a surfer silhouetted by the Pacific Ocean at Huntington Beach. The offshore oil platforms in the distance are pumping that crude, and HB residents continue to see an upward climb of nearly $4 / gallon of gas (premium).

The price of gas will only serve to help the tourist market (drive market). If air conditioning becomes too expensive, the 909-ers (Riverside County area code) where it's hot on summer days, will find even more reason to drive to Huntington Beach, a city that claims it gets approx. 12 million day-trippers. Bring cash, swim wear, sandals, hats, sunblock and a happy disposition, cause you're going to heaven--beach paradise heaven that is. Note: You can actually buy or rent nearly anything you want in HB.