The Best Things To Do In Huntington Beach California

Huntington Beach, also known as Surf City USA, is among the most popular destinations in Southern California. From its excellent surfing opportunities to its amazing wildlife, here are the best things to do the next time you visit this sun-kissed city.

1. Huntington City Beach

Natural Feature

A view of Huntington Beach, California, at sunset, with blue lifeguard huts and people sitting on the sand.

No list about things to do in Huntington Beach would be complete without mentioning its famous sands. Among the top surfing spots in the world, Huntington City Beach is a must-visit for anyone heading into the area. It routinely hosts the US Open of Surfing competition and has plenty of clean waves if you’re a beginner. If it is your first time in the water, there are several surf academies that will get you up on the board in no time.

2. Old World Village

Architectural Landmark, Historical Landmark

Purposefully built to make you feel like you’re stepping into another time, Old World Village is a charming way to spend a day. Styled after old European villages, complete with cobbled streets, it has been delighting guests since 1976. The village itself is home to several independently run businesses, with a variety of handcrafted items on offer. One must-see event is the village’s annual Oktoberfest celebrations, with musical entertainment provided by oompah bands from Germany.

3. Huntington Beach International Surfing Museum

Museum

The Huntington Beach International Surfing Museum is a great place to brush up on some of the sport’s history, with exhibitions filled with meticulously restored surfboards, classic surfing gear and even the Guinness World Records biggest surfboard in the world. The museum is open Tuesday to Saturday and is a great way to spend an afternoon.

5. Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve

Natural Feature

Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve Huntington Beach California

Covering a massive 1,300 acres (526ha) of California coastal wetlands, the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve is an essential part of the area’s conservation efforts. Home to nearly 200 species of endangered birds and animals, the park has about 5mi (8km) of walking routes that are perfect for guests to explore. If you want to find out more about the reserve and how you can help, drop by the Interpretive Center nearby to learn about its latest work in preserving the area.

6. Surf City Nights

Market

You don’t get the nickname Surf City USA for nothing. Every Tuesday at 5pm, Huntington Beach hosts Surf City Nights, a party spanning three of the city’s blocks and encompassing everything from market stalls selling locally made crafts to food trucks serving some of SoCal’s tastiest cuisine. Make sure to stick around until after the sun goes down when the party really gets going with live music on every street corner.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.