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THINGS
TO DO IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA |
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Huntington Beach Day Trip |
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By Matthew
Martz |
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Huntington
Beach, aptly named "Surf City USA", boasts over
eight miles of wide, sandy beaches, and is the longest
stretch of uninterrupted beachfront anywhere on the West
Coast. The climate is sunny and comfortable year-round, and is one of the most popular surfing spots in California, and most recently is home to the US Open Surfing Championships. Huntington Beach and immediate area have retained some of the vestiges of the 60s when surfing was the topic of movies and music, while a developing into a popular upscale tourist spot, attracting millions of beachgoers every year. If you plan on arriving early, you might want to start you day by having breakfast at the Park Bench Café’. Nestled amongst the oak trees in beautiful Huntington Beach Central Park, this outdoor café’ is one of the city's hidden gems. It’s family friendly and diners are welcome to bring along their canine companions too. The menu consist of breakfast and lunch entrees, and various Canine Cuisine entrees’, which includes items such as Bow-Wow-Wow chicken and Rover Easy scrambled eggs. There is even a Doggie Dining Section where Fido can dine and mingle with his own kind. |
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 Huntington Beach California |
After a hearty
breakfast you can head over to the Bolsa
Chica Ecological Reserve located along the east side of
the Pacific Coast Highway. Early morning or just before dusk
are the best times for bird watching or just taking a leisurely
stroll. There are two wildlife stops along the reserves’ marked nature trail, where hikers will see tons of feisty diving Terns as they look for fish as well as Great Egrets as they glide across the green marshy waters. The 330-acre reserve is open to the public daily from sunrise to sunset. Admission and parking are free, but spaces are limited. If want a closer look at the some of the beautiful multi-million dollar homes and yachts that line Pacific Coast Highway, there is no better way to see them than by renting a kayak at Sunset Kayaking. You can paddle the nearly 10 miles of calm waterways, strewn with a half dozen beaches and five manmade islands where you can stop and take a rest while enjoying a picnic lunch. Parking for Sunset Kayaking is free. Just a short drive south from Huntington Harbour is Main Street, the heart of the downtown district that includes an active art center, a colorful shopping district, and the International Surfing Museum. Admission to the museum is free and fun for the whole family. |
Downtown Huntington Beach |
It’s a great way to feel the vibe that is Huntington
Beach, while watching classic surf movies in the new Surf
Theater. As you continue your stroll down the five blocks
that make up downtown, you’ll weave your way through
swimsuits, surf boards, people walking their dogs, bicycles
and lots of smiles, as well as past several dozen restaurants
ranging from beer pubs, to fusion cuisine - all with year-round
al fresco outdoor table dining. Stop for lunch or return after a long day at the beach for a delightful dinner experience. Before leaving Main Street don’t forget to have your picture taken with "the father of modern surfing,” Duke Kahanamoku. The sculpture along with hand and foot prints, and autographs of the top surfers around the globe surrounding it, are located in front of Huntington Surf and Sport. |
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