Huntington Beach - Experiences anyone?

CountryWise

I am planning on going in August for a week in between doing a bit of a road trip, is it worth it? is there a night life? much to do, i know its famous for its surfing comps and skatebording comps but what else is there to it? is it expensive?

CountryWise

Sounds like a good experience.
I plan to rent a car for a week when i arrive in LA airport and do the grand Canyon,Hoover Dam, Vegas maybe San Fran experience or something close to that and then end up back in LA for a week of relaxing near the beach(Huntington) and surrounding areas then maybe rent a car for a couple of days if we get bored there during the week.

CountryWise

Thanks i hope it works out.
Decided to fly into Las Vegas from Dublin and then going to fly back from LA after driving for around Grand Cnyon back to Vegas up to San Francisco and down through Santa Barbara ,Santa Monica etc, might even try get in San Diego

random_banter

I went there for a few days to visit a friend when I was on my J1 a couple of years ago. The place is gorgeous, the surf is great, the pier is cool, but the shops are pricey compared to other places in california. There didnt seem to be many activities aside from the water sports, or sights to see as the place isnt that big. Its close to Anaheim which is also in Orange county so Disney would be an option if youre into that! However you will find that most of the beach communities south of LA have the same type of atmosphere, and its not actually a very big place, the area going inland from the coastline tends just to be a suburban sprawl.

I wouldnt spend a week there to be honest, youre better off a couple of nights there and then driving down to San Diego (its only a 2-3 hour drive, i got the train up from san d it took about 2.5 hours) for a few days, its my favourite place in the states! The beach communities are simply amazing, very laid back, surfer communites, great scenery, great transport and the city centre is the nicest city centre ive ever been to, clean and sunny and relaxed. You can walk everywhere in the city which is easily navigated, and theres buses and a tram/luas type system will bring you everywhere else you want to go. Parties every night on the beaches (till the cops come and confiscate your beer and laugh at you and your irish ways) etc. Anyway theres great nightlife in bars, clubs and on the beaches, and the hostels are loads of fun. Also it has one of the best Zoo's and wildlife parks in the world, seaworld etc, loads of water sports, sailing etc. And the endless marinas are awesome. The docks are practically in the city centre and theres maritime museums and you can board an aircraft carrier and take a tour. Then theres the fact you can get the tram/luas thingy right to the mexican border, cross over into TJ for a night, be taxid to a club, dance till 4.30, head back to the boarder, and get the tram home! Its a mad place!

Anyway this thread is really about huntington, so i'll leave it at that! Have a great trip, California is a great place! Im hoping to get out there again myself this summer.

trig83

i lived in huntington for three months last summer, worked as a pedicab driver on the beach - a fantastic experience. its probably the best beach in california and its definitely the nicest town in orange county. apart from going out or heading to the beach, there isnt a whole lot to do in huntington itself but Hollywood, Disneyland, Universal Studios and Six Flags are all within driving distance. we spent a whole month travelling around california, the drive up the coast from huntington to san francisco is spectacular, just make sure u stay on the freeway until you are well out of the LA area, the coast road is only worth using when u get close to big sur. there's a couple of nice pubs in huntington but the bouncers are all assholes - especially in sharkeez. even if u are not staying close to the beach, the public transport is very good (even though you'll rarely see any white americans using it)