This post was created in partnership with Tay + Lexi Clothing.
It’s no secret that I’m a big Orange County lover. I’ve visited here countless times since I was little. There’s nothing quite like that beautiful stretch of coast and that sea breeze. So I thought it was about time that I create another travel guide for one of my favorite places in the OC: Huntington Beach!
I’m big on supporting local brands that really capture the character of the places that I visit. Tay and Lexi Clothing is a local swim brand based in Huntington Beach with the cutest suits. I’ve shared some swim reviews before on here that you guys loved, so I’m very excited to share this mini-review with you in the post!
It’s so hard for me to find high-quality swimsuits with cute prints that are also comfy and functional. The quality and fit of these suits are stunning, and they’re such a cute little taste of Huntington Beach to bring along on your trip!
Their wrap bikini tops are my favorite: such a unique style that I haven’t seen anywhere else. You can adjust them so easily and really customize the fit (which is a huge plus if you have trouble finding bikini tops that don’t fit either your bra size or band size.) I recommend sizing up a size in both the tops and bottoms if you’re curvier or don’t want to show as much skin. I’ve linked all my favorite Tay + Lexi styles below so you can easily shop this post!
Wrap Bikini Top // Surf Bikini Bottom // Deep V One Piece // Front Tie Top // High Waist Seamless Bottom
Where to Stay
Kimpton Shorebreak Huntington Beach Resort ($$)
Surf-inspired boutique hotel with beachfront views. The Kimpton Shorebreak is ideally located across the street from Huntington Beach Pier and right in the heart of the surf scene. Perfect for a boho beach getaway in Huntington Beach: Conde Nast even named it a top 3 hotel in Southern California! This is definitely the place to stay for an authentic taste of Southern California surf culture and the essential HB vibe. It’s also dog-friendly and ideally located close to Huntington’s Dog Beach (more details on that beach later in the post)!
Pasea Hotel & Spa ($$)
Sweeping oceanfront views and beachy chic rooms make the Pasea a must-stay. I’d recommend staying here if you’re looking for a more serene visit to HB spent lounging by the pool or laying out on a lazy day at the beach. Pasea also offers a Balinese-inspired spa, top restaurants. Pups are welcome here too! Pasea offers dog-friendly amenities so you can bring your furry friend along on your relaxing beach vacation.
Huntington Surf Inn ($)
The Huntington Surf Inn is so essentially “Surf City USA.” I recommend staying here if you’re planning an active trip spent exploring more of Huntington Beach. The location is perfect: right by Huntington Beach Pier and within walking distance of Pacific City and Main Street. All the rooms are surf-themed, and the inn is proud to host pro surfers and athletes from all over the world. You may just run into one of your favorites during your visit!
Things to Do
Visit Huntington Beach Pier
The pier is an iconic symbol of Huntington Beach. At 1,850 feet, it’s one of the longest piers in Southern California. It’s the perfect spot to soak up some sun, watch surfing competitions and have a bite to eat at the classic Ruby’s Diner. This is the heart of HB and one place that you must see during your Huntington Beach adventures!
Play Beach Volleyball With Views of Huntington Beach Pier
Huntington Beach may be known for its world-famous surf scene, but it’s also well-known for its beach volleyball scene. Huntington Beach is home to plenty of pro volleyball players and even hosts a leg of the AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tour! You can rent volleyballs right on the beach and spend the afternoon indulging in this fun Huntington Beach pastime. All the nets are free to use and conveniently located on either side of Huntington Beach Pier.
Catch a Surfing Competition
Huntington Beach isn’t known as “Surf City USA” for nothing! Try to time your trip to watch one of Huntington Beach’s world-famous surfing competitions. The US Open of Surfing is held in late July, so I’d definitely recommend timing your trip for late summer to be in the heart of the action.
Cruise Down Huntington Beach Bike Trail
You may have realized by now that Huntington Beach is a very active city between all the surfing and beach volleyball competitions. If you want to get active in Huntington Beach and explore a little, rent a bike! The Huntington Beach Bike Trail runs parallel to the beach and is an awesome way to people watch and soak up some local flavor that you wouldn’t get just driving along the Pacific Coast Highway. This is another iconic must-do activity in Huntington Beach: those sunset views while cruising along the coast just can’t be beat!
Shop at Pacific City
Pacific City is a premier shopping and dining destination located just a few blocks from the pier in the heart of Huntington Beach. This is the perfect place to sit down for a yummy lunch (highly recommend Lemonade!), shop for surf-inspired clothing or indulge your sweet tooth. Definitely check out these stops on an afternoon in Pacific City:
Dining
- Lemonade
- The American Dream
- Bluegold
- Ola Mexican Kitchen
Shopping
- Brandy Melville
- Cherry Hills Market
- The Wearhouse Boutique
- The Plantation
Dessert
- Popbar
- Hans’ Homemade Ice Cream
Visit the Dog Beach
Calling all dog lovers: Huntington Beach is home to its very own dog beach! This beach has even been featured on the Travel Channel for its laidback, dog-friendly vibe. You may even see a pup or two catching a wave on a surfboard of their own! The Dog Beach is conveniently located a few miles north of the Huntington Beach Pier. Huntington Beach is one of the most dog-friendly destinations I’ve ever visited. I definitely recommend planning a trip here with your furry besties! HB Dog Beach is also the perfect stop on a road trip down the California coast.
International Surfing Museum + Surfers’ Hall of Fame
If you want to get a closer look at Surf City USA’s history, I highly recommend paying a visit to the International Surfing Museum and Surfers’ Hall of Fame. The Museum houses lots of surfing memorabilia and tells the story of famed Hawaiian surfer Duke Kahanamoku who founded surfing in Southern California in the 1920s. He even has a restaurant created in his honor, and it’s one of my favorite places for Hawaiian food (you can read on for more details in my dining section of the guide). The museum is definitely worth a visit; plus admission is only $3!
The Surfers’ Hall of Fame is located right at the intersection of Main Street and Pacific Coast Highway. This is kind of like a smaller version of the Walk of Fame in front of the Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, but with world-famous surfers!
Bonfire at Sunset
When the sun starts to dip below the horizon, Huntington Beach becomes the perfect spot for a beach bonfire! The breeze always feels a bit cooler here to me compared to other beaches in Orange County, so a bonfire is a great way to stay warm after sunset. Grab one of the 500 fire rings located by Huntington Beach Pier, and roast some smores with your favorite people.
Huntington Beach Dining Guide
Sandy’s Beach Shack
Sandy’s is the ultimate in beach views and surf vibes. Located right on the beach in the shadow of the Huntington Beach Pier, this is the perfect spot for a lazy lunch or brunch spent beachside. Order the Mahi tacos and The Gidget: you’ll thank me later.
Duke’s Huntington Beach
My favorite place to eat Hawaiian food in Southern California. Inspired by surfing legend Duke, the decor, views and food here are absolutely spectacular. Duke’s is a must-see on your trip to OC! It’s located right above Sandy’s Beach Shack with spectacular views of the Huntington Beach Pier. I highly recommend ordering the Banana Leaf Steamed Island Fish & Shrimp: it’s just as incredible as the same dish I ate in Maui!
SOCIAL Huntington Beach
Brand new to the Huntington Beach dining scene, SOCIAL is a gourmet kitchen serving seafood and classic California cuisine. I recommend coming here for a date night or a little bit of a splurge on your Huntington Beach getaway. Make sure to try one of their craft cocktails: they’re well-known for them!
Pacific Hideaway
Pacific Hideaway is a fusion restaurant tucked away in one of the resorts I recommended to you earlier in this guide, the Kimpton Shorebreak. All of the food is surf and coastal-inspired: from Southeast Asia to the Pacific Islands to Latin and South America. The vibe here is very “Tulum meets Bali,” so I highly recommend if you love all things boho! If you’re looking for an upscale and trendy brunch spot, this is the perfect restaurant to spend a lazy Sunday afternoon.
Ruby’s Diner
Ruby’s is an Orange County institution, and the Huntington Beach location can’t be beat! It’s located right at the end of Huntington Beach Pier with beautiful ocean views. Their burger, fries and shakes are delicious and so quintessentially Southern California. If you want delicious and diner food with inexpensive ocean views, pay a visit to Ruby’s (bonus points if you eat dinner during sunset).
I hope this guide helps you design the perfect beachy itinerary for a trip to Surf City USA. What’s your favorite thing to do in Huntington Beach? Let me know in the comments!
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