Huntington Beach is a California city southeast of Los Angeles. It’s known for surf beaches, such as Huntington City Beach, with its long Huntington Beach Pier. The International Surfing Museum displays longboards and other memorabilia. Sprawling Huntington Central Park features fields, gardens and lakes, plus an equestrian center. Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve’s wetlands and dunes shelter hundreds of bird species.
To travel anywhere in Huntington beach, try renting our VW Camper Bus. When you rent our VW Camper bus, you can then roam around the city and do all the following for free. Here are 25 ways to explore Huntington Beach:
1. The beach! Beach access is free. Spend your day on the sand, soaking up the sun and splashing in the waves.
2. An evening around a beach bonfire is the perfect end to your perfect day in Surf City USA. Over 500 bonfire rings are available to the public free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis along the Huntington Beach coastline.
3. Play beach volleyball at one of the many free courts located near the Huntington Beach Pier and along our 10 miles of beach.
4. Take in the view of the beach, surfers, and sunset from the Huntington Beach Pier. At 1,850 feet long, the Huntington Beach Pier offers the perfect vantage point for people- and surfer-watching.
5. Go fishing off the Huntington Beach Pier. No fishing license required!
6. See how many of the nearly 200 species of birds you can find at the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve. Five miles of public trails allow you to explore to your heart’s content. Free tours are also available on select weekends.
7. Sample local fresh fruit at the Certified Farmers Market on Friday afternoons next to the Huntington Beach Pier, then peruse local wares at the neighboring Pier Plaza Art-A-Faire.
8. Watch local street performers during Surf City Nights, held every Tuesday evening along Main Street.
9. Groove to live music at Pacific City on most Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
10. Play ping pong, foosball, and other outdoor games on the lower level at Pacific City. Visit the nearby concierge for equipment if it’s been tucked away.
11. On 4th of July and finals weekend of the US Open of Surfing, park for free and ride the free Surf City USA Shuttle to Downtown.
12. Ride the free Surf City USA Shuttle, which runs every weekend in the summertime months. It’s a cost- and time-effective way to explore the best neighborhoods around town.
13. Visit Shipley Nature Center in Huntington Central Park and learn about California native plants. The center holds regular educational seminars and kid-friendly events that are almost always free to the public.
14. See which of your favorite surfers have the same hand and shoe (or flip-flop) size as you at the Surfers’ Hall of Fame in front of Huntington Surf and Sport at Main Street and Pacific Coast Highway.
15. Take a walk along the 10-mile paved beach path. Or bring your own wheels and challenge yourself to cover the entire scenic trail.
16. Take advantage of the free bike valet at Pedego Electric Bikes at Fifth Street and Olive Avenue. Every weekend and Tuesday evening, the shop provides a secure spot to leave your bicycle while exploring Downtown.
17. Learn about the ecology of the Huntington Beach Wetlands at the new Wetlands and Wildlife Care and Education Center.
18. Check out the latest exhibit at the Huntington Beach Art Center on Main Street. Donations welcome.
19. Stroll the Surfing Walk of Fame along the north side of Main Street, beginning in front of Jack’s Surfboards.
20. Attend an event. Many of the events held in Downtown, on the beach next to the Huntington Beach Pier, and at Huntington Central Park are free, like the US Open of Surfing, Duck-A-Thon, Huntington Beachcruiser Meet Classic Car Show, Pacific Islander Festival, Civil War Days, and 4th of July parade and fireworks.
21. Window shop the many unique and locals-run boutiques dotting Main Street, Fifth Street, and Pacific City.
22. Test out your grinding skills at the Vans Off The Wall Skatepark. Admission is free, the park is open daily, and gear rentals are available.
23. Visit the Huntington Beach International Surfing Museum at the corner of Fifth Street and Olive Avenue. A $2 donation per person is required—but in this day and age, that’s practically free. Don’t forget to snap a photo with the World’s Largest Surfboard—a Guinness World Records holder at 42 feet long—while you’re there.
24. Admire hot rods and dunk your donuts in your coffee at the “Donut Derelicts” Saturday sunrise car cruisers show, a weekly tradition held outside Adams Avenue Donuts since 1985.
25. Practice your Downward Dog during a free yoga class at HB Yoga Collective on Main Street or check Meetup.com for yoga on the beach.