'Surf City USA' Is An Iconic California Beach City With Beautiful Oceanfront Hotels

Nestled along the Pacific in Orange County, where SoCal vibes are as endless as the sunny summer days, Huntington Beach, California, is an iconic American beach destination. The official "Surf City USA" is home to one of the longest boardwalks on the West Coast, miles of beaches, and a strip of upmarket hotels with views of the Pacific, along with a storied history.

Huntington Beach was founded at the turn of the 20th century as Pacific City, a West Coast answer to Atlantic City, New Jersey. Nearly two decades later, the city planted its seed as a surf mecca when surfing legend Duke Kahanamoku first surfed on the West Coast in Huntington Beach. Surfing gradually caught on, and then became more mainstream in the 1950s and '60s, after the first surf shops, the televised U.S. Surfing Championships, and surf rock thrust the city into the limelight. Decades after surf rock duo Jan and Dean's hit song "Surf City" topped the charts in 1963, Visit Huntington Beach, the official Destination Marketing Organization for the city, trademarked the moniker "Surf City USA" with the help of Jan and Dean's Dean Torrence, and the name has stuck ever since.

Huntington Beach is located between Los Angeles and San Diego, and about 20 miles south of Disneyland. Travelers flying in will have five commercial airports to choose from, though you may want to opt for efficient and traveler-friendly Long Beach Airport, or John Wayne Airport, about 10 miles away. If you're bringing your surfboard along, note that most airlines will require you to check it before flying.

California is covered in top-tier surf towns, and Huntington Beach is no exception. "Surf City" has 10 miles of sun-kissed shoreline and five beaches for everyone, including your pup. The city's namesake beach, Huntington City Beach, is at the heart of the action, where Main Street ends and the Pacific begins. At this beach, you'll find everything for a day in the sun, including plenty of parking, surf lessons at Learn to Surf HB, beachside bites at Zack's, and al-fresco dining at Duke's or Sandy's Beach Shack. If you brought your walking shoes (or have broken in your flip-flops), take a beautiful stroll down the 1,850-foot Huntington Beach Pier, where you may see anglers, surfers waiting for the next waves, and a stunning sunset in the evening. If you're planning a beach fire or s'mores after dark, you'll find a whopping 125 fire rings.

Another popular and well-developed beach is Huntington State Beach, where visitors can play volleyball, stroll, or set up a bonfire. The beach also has restrooms, showers, and everything you'll need for a fun day in the sun — or the shade. Parking is $15 per vehicle, as of this writing. 

Surfing isn't the only name of the game in Huntington Beach. Biking, walking, and wellness culture are also major focal points that visitors can enjoy on their trip to the city. Rent a bicycle or e-bike near City Beach and pedal up the Huntington Beach bike path, running all the way to the Newport Beach Pier, or to quiet Sunset Beach. Additionally, Yoga on the Beach hosts free beachside yoga classes (times available on Meetup), though donations are warmly accepted.

Huntington Beach hosts over 8 million visitors annually, and you'll find accommodations for all budgets, from beach camping to luxury hotels. Along the Pacific shoreline, Huntington Beach has a hotel strip of several four-star resorts lining the beach. The Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach has a striking Spanish-influenced design and SoCal vibes throughout, with private fire pits, water slides, and a spa. Rooms at The Waterfront Beach Resort, a Hilton property, have a private balcony and a modern design. If you're looking for the highest rooftop viewpoint in the area or a kid-free evening on the weekend, visit the hotel's Offshore 9 Rooftop Lounge. A third option, Paséa Hotel and Spa, oozes SoCal vibes in the property's design and amenities — for you and for your four-legged travel buddy. All three hotels have hundreds of five-star reviews on Google Maps and are Tripadvisor Travelers' Choice Award winners for 2026. More low-key travelers, or those who want to bring the "Surf City USA" moniker back to their room, should consider the waterfront Huntington Surf Inn, which has won Tripadvisor's Award of Excellence multiple times.  

Along with acclaimed accommodations, you'll also have tons of options for delicious meals along the beaches and on Main Street. Local standouts include Sessions West Coast Deli — which makes its own sauces, soups, and salads – and Sancho's Tacos, which grew from a backyard cookout to several locations across the region. 

Once you're ready to leave Huntington Beach, take the stunning and storied Pacific Highway. Whether you head north toward Washington or south to Laguna Beach, you'll have no shortage of beautiful stops ahead on one of the most scenic roads in the country.