Surf, Sun, and Slightly Sunburned: Your Perfect Huntington Beach Itinerary

Your Day-By-Day Huntington Beach Itinerary (Without The Lobster-Red Sunburn)

The perfect Huntington Beach itinerary follows a certain rhythm – like the waves that reliably roll in every 8-12 seconds along this stretch of coastline. This three-day plan balances tourist must-dos with local secrets, ensuring visitors experience both the postcard version and the authentic heartbeat of Surf City.

Day 1: Beachfront Basics (AKA Learning to Surf Without Drowning)

Begin your Huntington Beach adventure where everyone should – at the iconic pier stretching 1,850 feet into the Pacific Ocean. Arrive before 10am when the crowds are thin and the morning light turns everything Instagram-gold. This wooden structure isn’t just for fishing enthusiasts and contemplative strolls; it’s a prime people-watching perch where the full spectrum of humanity parades by with snow cones and sunburn.

By mid-morning, it’s time to attempt what everyone secretly comes to Huntington Beach for – surf lessons. Banzai Surf School offers group lessons for $85 that include board rental and an instructor who will diplomatically ignore your “first-time surfer face” – that universal expression combining abject terror, determined concentration, and the occasional mouthful of saltwater. The lessons take place at the gentler waves north of the pier, where beginners are less likely to become unwitting entertainment for pier spectators.

For lunch, avoid the pier tourist traps and head to Sessions West Coast Deli on 5th Street. Their Veggie Banh Mi ($13) has developed a cult following among locals, while their Summer Zephyr sandwich ($14) packs enough calories to replace those burned during your morning surf humiliation. If you insist on ocean views with your meal, TK Burger on PCH offers decent burgers around $8-10 with million-dollar vistas.

Afternoons in Huntington Beach are constitutionally protected naptime – claim your patch of sand and join the locals in the fine art of doing absolutely nothing. Beach chair rentals run $15 daily, though bringing your own towel works just as well. A word on parking: the main beach lot charges a flat $15 rate, but savvy visitors park for free in the residential neighborhoods east of PCH (just respect the street signs or face the wrath of Huntington’s notoriously efficient parking enforcement).

As evening approaches, the downtown area along Main Street transitions from surf shops to nightlife. Pacific City, a $135 million development that opened in 2015, offers oceanfront dining at Bluegold where the Seafood Tower ($75, serves two) provides both sustenance and fodder for vacation photos. For more budget-friendly evening options, the Tuesday night Surf City Nights street fair transforms Main Street into an open-air market with food vendors selling everything from street tacos to fresh kettle corn.

Day 2: Beyond the Beach (Yes, There’s More Than Sand)

Escape the beachfront crowds by starting day two at Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve – 1,400 acres of wetlands just north of the main beach area. Arrive by 8am when the wildlife is most active and the serious photographers with telescopic lenses are setting up their tripods. Over 200 bird species visit these wetlands, creating what amounts to a National Geographic documentary playing in real-time. The 1.5-mile loop trail requires zero hiking experience, just a willingness to occasionally pretend you can identify a Great Blue Heron from a Snowy Egret.

Mid-morning caffeine requirements are best met at Philz Coffee in Pacific City, where the Mint Mojito Iced Coffee ($5.50) provides both refreshment and enough stimulation to power through the day’s activities. For something more local, try The Caffeine Lab on Main Street, where the science-themed drinks and actual laboratory beakers serve as vessels for your morning brew.

The International Surfing Museum might sound like a tourist trap, but this compact gem charges just $3 admission to view legitimate surf history, including Duke Kahanamoku’s original redwood surfboard. Even non-surfers will appreciate the cultural artifacts that chronicle how a Hawaiian royal pastime transformed a sleepy agricultural town into a global surf mecca.

Lunch at Lot 579 food hall gives indecisive travelers a reprieve from menu commitment. The Bear Flag Fish Co. serves poke bowls ($15-18) that locals grudgingly admit are “pretty legit,” while The American Dream serves lobster rolls ($18) that would make a New Englander nod in reluctant approval. The design of the food hall itself – with reclaimed wood and industrial fixtures – tries perhaps a bit too hard to say “we’re casual but also expensive,” yet somehow works.

Afternoon shopping in downtown Huntington Beach reveals a retail ecosystem where surf shops are the apex predators. Jack’s Surfboards, a multi-level surf emporium that’s been outfitting wave riders since 1957, sells everything from $5,000 custom boards to $20 t-shirts proving you visited. For those seeking non-surf-related souvenirs, The Longboard Restaurant and Pub sells reasonably-priced beachwear without aggressive surf branding.

Cap your day with sunset dinner at Duke’s, named for the aforementioned Hawaiian surfing legend. Arrive by 5:30pm to snag a window table without reservations, or book weeks ahead for prime sunset seating. The Hula Pie ($11) – a macadamia nut ice cream monstrosity – has its own cult following and serves four normal humans or two particularly committed dessert enthusiasts.

Day 3: Living Like a Local (Or at Least a Convincing Impersonation)

Begin your final day with a beach run or yoga session – the quintessential Huntington Beach morning ritual. Toes to Nose Yoga offers beach classes for $20 drop-ins at 8am near Tower 14, where downward dog poses are performed against a backdrop that makes your friends’ studio yoga experiences seem depressingly fluorescent by comparison.

Mid-morning, explore Huntington Central Park – 350 acres of surprisingly lush inland greenery that locals treat as their backyard. The Secret Garden within the park lives up to its name, remaining unknown to most visitors despite being just a mile from the beach crowds. The park’s lake attracts picnickers and duck-feeders (though signs plead with visitors not to turn local waterfowl into bread junkies).

For a different perspective on Surf City, rent an electric Duffy boat ($85/hour for 8 passengers) and navigate the residential canals of Huntington Harbour. These waterways, flanked by multi-million-dollar homes, create a Southern California version of Venice complete with private boat docks and palm trees reflected in glass-smooth water. No boating license is required, though basic coordination helps avoid an embarrassing collision with a stand-up paddleboarder.

Lunch like a local at Prohibition Brewery and Deli, a neighborhood spot where $12 buys a sandwich hefty enough to fuel an afternoon of activities. Their Rueben contains more meat than seems structurally possible between two slices of bread, while their craft beer selection ranges from approachable lagers to aggressively hoppy IPAs with names like “Hop Therapy” and “Bitter Ex.”

As evening approaches, partake in the most authentic Huntington Beach experience – the beach bonfire. The city maintains over 500 fire rings that become hot commodities (literally) as sunset approaches. Arrive by 4pm to secure one, bringing firewood purchased from any local grocery store ($7-10 per bundle). S’mores ingredients are non-negotiable, as is a sweatshirt for when temperatures drop to a “frigid” 65°F after dark. The combination of crackling fire, ocean waves, and sugar-high children running in circles creates a quintessential California memory.

Where to Rest Your Sunburned Self

Accommodations in Huntington Beach fall into three distinct categories: luxury resorts that make credit cards weep, mid-range hotels with decent amenities, and budget options that prioritize location over luxury.

The Waterfront Beach Resort (Hilton) represents the high end, with ocean-view rooms starting around $350 nightly and climbing to $500 during summer. The resort’s twin towers offer the height necessary to see over PCH to the actual ocean, plus multiple pools for when the Pacific proves too chilly. Ask for a room above the 5th floor in the Huntington Tower for views that justify the room rate.

The Kimpton Shorebreak Resort hits the sweet spot of quality and value at $250-300 per night. Its location at 5th and PCH puts guests steps from both beach and dining options, while its complimentary wine hour from 5-6pm turns strangers into temporary friends. The hotel’s surf-chic aesthetic walks the fine line between themed and tacky, landing comfortably on the stylish side.

Budget travelers should consider the Sun ‘n Sands Motel, where $150-175 buys a clean, no-frills room two blocks from the beach. What these accommodations lack in amenities they make up for in location and local character. The family-owned property has operated since 1957, with the current owners happy to share recommendations for restaurants where tourists are outnumbered by locals.

For groups or extended stays, vacation rentals average $400/night for beachfront properties and $200-250 for homes a few blocks inland. The sweet spot lies in the neighborhoods between Main Street and Goldenwest, where 1960s beach bungalows offer charming (if slightly dated) accommodations within walking distance of the water.

Getting Around Without Road Rage

Transportation in Huntington Beach requires some strategic planning to avoid the twin curses of PCH traffic and parking scarcity. During summer months, the free Surf City USA Shuttle connects major hotels with downtown and the beach, operating Friday through Sunday. For the remaining week, visitors have several options.

Rental bikes offer the most authentically local experience, with vendors charging $15/hour or $40/day for cruisers. The 10-mile Huntington Beach Bike Trail runs along the entire coastline, providing scenic transportation without parking headaches. Pedego Electric Bikes rents motorized options for those who consider vacation and exercise mutually exclusive concepts.

For trips beyond biking distance, rideshare services operate throughout Huntington Beach, with most in-town trips costing $8-15. Downtown parking garages charge $1.50-2.00 hourly with the first three hours free, while street parking ranges from free to $2/hour depending on location and season.

The most underrated transportation option remains your own feet, as most attractions cluster within a mile radius of the pier. Walking along PCH delivers people-watching opportunities no vehicle can match, plus the smug satisfaction of sailing past cars stuck in beach traffic while on foot.