Huntington State Beach is a state-protected beach in Huntington Beach, California. It stretches over two miles (3.2 kilometers) north of Newport Beach (on the Santa Ana River) to Beach Boulevard, where Huntington City Beach starts. In 1942, the 121-acre (49-hectare) park was constructed.
This beach attracts a large number of beach aficionados. It offers mild to excellent surf, volleyball and basketball courts, fishing, restrooms, and bonfire rings. The California State Parks Lifeguard Service also provides lifeguard services at Huntington State Beach. The beach is patrolled year-round by lifeguards, and the lifeguard towers are staffed from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. Additionally, the beach serves as a breeding site for California’s least terns, an endangered subspecies, and snowy plovers, a West Coast threatened species.
Recreation
Huntington State Beach immediately receives all waves from the south during late spring, fall, and summer. When north/west swells meet with south surges, Huntington State Beach becomes a great surfing location. Due to the presence of the Santa Ana River Jetties at the southern side of the beach, enormous sandbars stretch roughly 1 mile across and upcoast. During the summer and spring seasons, these sandbars fluctuate drastically, producing perilous situations. At this beach, the surf frequently breaks quite steeply, rapidly, and hollowly. This area is not recommended for novice surfers. Shortboards are strongly advised.
Swimming
Swimming is permitted at Huntington State Beach, which also provides lifeguard services. At this beach, ocean currents can be incredibly dangerous, creating massive rip currents. Swimmers are encouraged to tread very carefully and to stay near to the shore, preferably in front of a lifeguard tower.
Multi-use trail
A paved pathway winds its way along the beach’s length. This pathway is a section of a larger trail that runs from Long Beach to Newport Beach’s Balboa Pier.
Sunbathing
Sunbathing Huntington State Beach is often less windy than other upcoast areas, but it can be quite cold at times.
Fire rings
Huntington State Beach features numerous huge fire rings. These rings are limited in quantity and are available on a first-come, first-served arrangement. Large flames are permissible as long as there are no wood pallets involved.
Fishing
Huntington State Beach is the perfect surf fishing location. There is a variety of fish that can be captured there, including corbina, perch, croaker, shovelnose guitarfish, and cabezon. Surf fishing is permitted at Huntington State Beach as long as there are no adjacent swimmers. As needed, a fishing license must be presented.
Birdwatching
At the southern shore, between Talbert Channel and the Santa Ana River, is California’s least tern and snowy plover refuge. Trespassing is not permitted, and dogs are not permitted on the sand or in any area adjacent to the reserve.
Source: Wikipedia
Visit Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve
Harbor Smiles is nearby.
Directions
Huntington State Beach
Head southwest (302 ft)
Turn left toward Magnolia St (276 ft)
Continue onto Magnolia St (167 ft)
Turn left onto CA-1 N (7.2 mi)
Continue on Warner Ave to your destination in Huntington Beach (1.9 mi)
Turn right onto Warner Ave (1.2 mi)
Turn left onto Green Ln (0.3 mi)
Turn right onto Pearce Drive (0.1 mi)
Turn right at the 1st cross street onto Bolsa Chica St (0.2 mi)
Turn right (85 ft)
Turn left (361 ft)
Turn right – Destination will be on the left – Harbor Smiles (36 ft)