From farm fields to oil fields, the land which brought jobs to Huntington Beach is now filled with houses.  As one commodity is lost, another is found.  You'll hardly see a city in California with as much beach and sand as Huntington. The combination of oil playing out, and  policies created during the 1970s brought a unique opportunity for Huntington Beach to become the play land of the Southern California coast. Tourists often seek hotels on the beach, but the beauty of Huntington Beach is no hotels and no houses can be built on the sand. Drive either direction, north or south along Pacific Coast Highway and you will be hard pressed to find the unobstructed beach available here.  

While ownership of the 8.5 miles of beach changes hands along its length in the form of Bolsa Chica State Beach on the northern end near Sunset Beach, to Huntington City Beach for several miles near the pier, back to state ownership on Huntington State Beach on the southern border near Newport Beach, they appear as a unified entity. A paved path runs along the entire stretch, lifeguards stand watch and access is open to all guests.   

With its year-round mild climate, beach, pier and grand waves, Huntington Beach has become a desirable place to visit, live and play.  A public Meadowlark Golf Course, frisbee golf course and equestrian center in Central Park, 2 free outdoor skate parks, dozens of outdoor tennis and handball courts and free volleyball nets on the beach keep locals and guests on their feet. Free surfing, a beautiful 8.5 mile paved jogging, walking, inline skate and bicycle path along the sand, free fishing on the pier, a city gym with swimming pool and community college swimming pool are a few of the "play things".  There are also commercial indoor ice and roller rinks and an indoor rock climbing park.