Huntington Beach is the beach we keep coming back to in Southern California. We have visited many times over the years, in summer, winter and fall, and it never gets old. This guide to visiting Huntington Beach covers what we have learned: the pier and Main Street, where to park and what it costs, the beaches north and south of the pier, sunsets and where we like to eat.

Quick Summary

• Main draw: the Huntington Beach Pier and Main Street, right where Main Street meets Pacific Coast Highway
• Beyond the pier: miles of open beach north and south, connected by a flat beachfront bike and walking path
• Parking: the hardest part of any visit. We usually use the beach lot just south of the pier, pay by the hour, and walk. The Main Promenade structure on Main Street is free for the first 90 minutes.
• Best for sunsets: anywhere along the sand, with oil platforms and Catalina Island on the horizon
• Best time to visit: fall for fewer crowds and easier parking, summer for warm days and the full beach scene
• Where we eat nearby: The Original Pancake House for breakfast, Fire Pho for pho and Duck Donuts or The Donuttery for donuts

Why We Keep Coming Back

Huntington Beach has the classic Southern California beach town feel without being hard to navigate. The beach is huge, the pier is right in the middle of everything, and you can make a day of it or just stop for an hour to walk the sand and watch the sunset.

On our most recent visit in late October, the weather was on the cooler side. We are from Wisconsin, so a cool beach day doesn't bother us at all. It also meant fewer people, easy street parking and a beautiful sunset with the moon rising over the beach houses.

Huntington Beach Pier and Main Street

Most visits start at the pier. The Huntington Beach Pier is 1,850 feet long, one of the longest public piers on the West Coast, and walking to the end and back is an easy, free activity with kids. You get views up and down the coast, surfers on both sides, and fishermen along the railings. There is a restaurant at the end of the pier if you want a meal with an ocean view.

Main Street runs inland from the pier. It is lined with surf shops, souvenir stores, restaurants and ice cream spots, and it is the easiest place to grab food or browse after time on the sand. Near the corner of Main Street and Pacific Coast Highway, look for the Surfing Walk of Fame, which celebrates the town's surf history (Huntington Beach calls itself Surf City USA).

The beach on either side of the pier is the busiest part of Huntington Beach. In summer you will often find volleyball tournaments, surf contests and events on the sand. That is part of the fun, but it also affects parking (more on that below).

Go North or South: Miles of Beach

The pier is the center of the action, but the sand keeps going for miles in both directions. If the area around the pier is crowded, walk or drive a little north or south and you will find plenty of space.

North of the Pier

• Huntington City Beach continues north of the pier, with a paved beachfront path that is great for walking, biking and scooters.
• Huntington Dog Beach is farther north, between Goldenwest Street and Seapoint Street, if you are traveling with a dog.
• Bolsa Chica State Beach is farther north again, with its own day-use parking and fire rings.

Our late-October visit was a bit north of the pier, and it was one of our favorite evenings in Huntington Beach. We parked on the street, walked straight onto the sand and had the beach almost to ourselves at sunset.

South of the Pier

• Huntington City Beach runs south of the pier toward Beach Boulevard. This is where we usually park and set up for a beach day.
• Fire rings: the stretch from south of First Street to Beach Boulevard has more than 125 public fire pits, first come, first served.
• Huntington State Beach starts south of Beach Boulevard and runs down toward the Santa Ana River, with its own day-use lots and more fire rings.

Kids will find plenty to keep them busy. Ours spends most of his time running in and out of the waves and chasing shorebirds at the water's edge.

Huntington Beach Parking: Options and Costs

Parking is the one thing that can make or break a Huntington Beach visit. Here are the options we have used, plus the city's posted rates as of late October. Peak season runs Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend.

Option	Where	Cost	Our take
Beach lot south of the pier	Along PCH, entrances at First St, Huntington St and Beach Blvd	Usually by the hour; city daily rates are $15 off-peak and $20 peak; events $20 to $50 flat	Where we park most often. Closest to the sand.
Main Promenade Parking Structure	200 Main St, between Walnut and Olive	First 90 minutes free, then $1 per 20 minutes off-peak ($1 per 15 minutes peak); daily max $15 off-peak, $20 peak	A couple of blocks from the beach. Best if you plan to spend time on Main Street.
Pier Plaza lots	Next to the pier, between 1st and 7th St	$3 per hour off-peak, $4 peak	Closest to the pier, fills up fast
Meters on PCH and nearby streets	PCH from Goldenwest St to Beach Blvd, plus downtown streets	About $3 to $4 per hour	Good for shorter stops
Street parking north of the pier	Neighborhood streets and PCH north of downtown	Varies; follow posted signs	What we did in late October. Easy off-season.

How we do it: most of the time, we park in the beach lot just south of the pier and pay by the hour. That has usually been the best option for us. Every so often, we have arrived on an event day and had to pay a high flat rate instead. When we want to spend time on Main Street, the Main Promenade structure is a solid choice since the first 90 minutes are free and it is only a couple of blocks to the sand.

A few parking tips:

• Check for events before you go. Surf contests, volleyball tournaments, the Fourth of July and the fall airshow bring flat event rates and full lots.
• Beach lots charge per entry. If you leave and come back, you pay again.
• Mind the curfew. The beach lots have a 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew.
• Frequent visitors can save. An annual beach parking permit is $195 and covers the Main Promenade structure and city beach lots.

Rates change, so check the City of Huntington Beach parking page before you go.

Sunsets in Huntington Beach

If you only have a short time, come for the sunset. The beach faces southwest, so the sun drops right into the ocean, often next to the offshore oil platforms. On clear days you can see Catalina Island on the horizon. After the sun goes down, the sky keeps glowing orange for a while, and the pier lights come on.

We also love the drive along Pacific Coast Highway around sunset. The palm-lined streets near the beach and the view of Catalina from PCH are worth slowing down for.

Best Time to Visit Huntington Beach

• Summer: warmest weather, the full beach scene, more lifeguard towers staffed and lots of events. Also the busiest time and the hardest for parking.
• Fall: our favorite. Days are often still pleasant, crowds thin out after Labor Day, parking is easier and the sunsets are great. Evenings get cool, so bring a layer.
• Winter and spring: quieter and cooler, with some cloudy or foggy days. Still great for walking the pier and the beach.
• The water: the Pacific stays cool year-round, so expect brisk swimming even in summer.

Where We Eat Near Huntington Beach

• Fire Pho: a small, friendly pho shop inland near Bella Terra with some of the best broth we have had. Read our Fire Pho Huntington Beach review.
• The Original Pancake House: a classic breakfast on Adams Avenue with huge portions, oven-baked omelettes and crepes, and a history that goes back to 1953. Read our Original Pancake House Huntington Beach review.
• Duck Donuts and The Donuttery: our two donut stops. Duck Donuts in 5 Points Plaza makes warm donuts to order (we often get $20 worth for about $12 with a Groupon), and The Donuttery on Beach Boulevard is a family-run shop open 24 hours with lots of vegan options. See our Duck Donuts vs. The Donuttery comparison.
• Main Street: plenty of casual restaurants, ice cream and coffee within walking distance of the pier.

Tips for Visiting Huntington Beach With Kids

• Arrive early in summer. Lots near the pier fill up by late morning on weekends.
• Bring layers. Even warm days can turn cool and breezy by late afternoon.
• Sunscreen and water. There is little natural shade on the sand.
• Bonfire plans: fire rings are first come, first served, and pellets are not allowed. Bring your own wood or check whether a beach concession is selling it.
• No alcohol on the beach. It is prohibited on Huntington Beach's beaches.
• Pair it with another OC stop. Activate Games in Tustin is about 25 minutes inland and a great option for a cooler or rainy day.

Where to Stay

Huntington Beach has hotels for every budget:

• Luxury: resort hotels across PCH from the beach, near Pacific City and the pier, put you within walking distance of the sand and Main Street.
• Mid-range: hotels along Beach Boulevard and inland are a short drive from the beach and usually cost less.
• Budget: staying farther inland in Orange County and driving in for the day can save a lot, especially in summer.

If you are planning a bigger Southern California trip, our Universal Studios Hollywood family guide and La Jolla Cove with kids posts cover two more of our favorite stops.

Huntington Beach FAQ

Where is the best place to park in Huntington Beach?

For the beach, we usually use the city lot just south of the pier and pay by the hour. For Main Street, the Main Promenade Parking Structure is a couple of blocks from the sand and free for the first 90 minutes.

How much does parking cost at Huntington Beach?

As of late October, hourly lots and meters run about $3 to $4 per hour, and daily beach lot rates are $15 off-peak and $20 peak. Event days can bring flat rates of $20 to $50.

How long is the Huntington Beach Pier?

The Huntington Beach Pier is 1,850 feet long, one of the longest public piers on the West Coast.

Can you have a bonfire at Huntington Beach?

Yes. Huntington City Beach has more than 125 public fire rings between First Street and Beach Boulevard, available first come, first served.

Is Huntington Beach worth visiting in the fall?

Yes. Fall brings smaller crowds, easier parking and great sunsets. Evenings are cool, so bring a jacket.

Is Huntington Beach good for families?

Very. The beach is wide, the pier and Main Street are easy to walk, and there are restaurants, bike paths and fire rings close by.

Final Thoughts

After many visits over the years, Huntington Beach is still one of our favorite beach stops in Southern California. Start at the pier and Main Street, then head north or south for more space. Have a parking plan, especially in summer and on event days, and stay for the sunset. Check event calendars and parking rates before you go, and you will have an easy, memorable beach day.