Huntington State Beach
The Park is currently OPEN.
Please check the hours of operation.Park Facilities
Food Service
Restrooms
Drinking Water Available
Wheelchair Accessible
Restrooms
Drinking Water Available
Wheelchair Accessible
Welcome to Huntington State Beach!
Huntington State Beach is located in the City of Huntington Beach in Orange County. The 121 acre state beach is a popular destination for water enthusiasts of all ages and draws hundreds of thousands of visitors year round. Huntington in a great place to surf, swim, sunbathe, fish or just watch the sun set. Average summer temperatures range in the high 70s, while winter brings slightly cooler mid-60-degree weather. Morning fog is common. There are volleyball courts, basketball courts, fire-rings for bonfires and a multi-use trail. A paved beachside trail runs for 8.5 miles between Huntington and Bolsa Chica State Beaches, with the 3.5-mile Huntington City Beach wedged between them. Huntington was gifted to the state in 1942 and became a California state beach in 1963.
Surf City USA
In 1910, city founder Henry Huntington hired Hawaiian-born surfer George Freeth, the “father of modern surfing,” to demonstrate the ancient Polynesian art of riding waves on a long wooden board at Huntington. He surfed using heavy Hawaiian surfboards ranging from 10 to 16 feet long. The sport grew more popular in California after Hawaii’s Duke Kahanamoku surfed at Huntington Beach Pier in 1925. The first West Coast Surfing Championship was held at Huntington in 1959. Surfing became widespread in the early 1960s and surfboards continually evolved to become shorter, lighter and more maneuverable. The sport of surfing crested in Huntington Beach and it became known as “Surf City USA.” It is now the home to the Surfer’s Hall of Fame, the International Surfing Museum, and hosts the U.S. Open of Surfing; the world’s largest annual surf competition.
Explore the Beach!
Beach Cleanups
Volunteer to keep your local beaches clean
Upcoming Events
Attend one of our upcoming public programs
Special Events & Picnic Reservations
Host an event at the beach
Filming & Photography
Apply for a California film permit for your upcoming media project
Basic Information
Day Use Fees
- Regular: $15.00 per vehicle
- Senior: $14.00 per vehicle (ages 62+)
- Disabled Day Use: $7.50 per vehicle (Valid CA State Parks Disabled Discount Pass required)
- Oversize: $30.00 per vehicle (25 ft or longer) (See Oversized Vehicle Parking Regulations)
- Senior Oversize: $29.00 per vehicle (25 ft or longer)
- Disabled Oversize: $22.50 per vehicle (25 ft or longer)
Summer Weekend and Holiday Fees
(Memorial Day Weekend - Labor Day Weekend on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays)
- Regular: $20.00 per vehicle
- Senior: $19.00 per vehicle (ages 62+)
- Disabled Day Use: $10.00 per vehicle (Valid CA State Parks Disabled Discount Pass required)
- Oversize: $40.00 per vehicle (25 ft or longer) (See Oversized Vehicle Parking Regulations)
- Senior Oversize: $39.00 per vehicle (25 ft or longer)
- Disabled Oversize: $30.00 per vehicle (25 ft or longer)
- *Fees are subject to change on major event days or holidays*
Note: Day use fees allow for re-entry for that day only, subject to parking availability. The park entrance will close in the event that our lots reach capacity, and all vehicles outside the park will not be allowed entry (regardless of pass holder status or day-use ticket purchase) until the closure has been lifted when a number of space become available again.
Passes
The following State Park Passes are accepted at Huntington State Beach:
- California Explorer Vehicle Day Use Annual Pass*
- Golden Bear Pass
- Limited Use Golden Bear Pass (not valid Friday before Memorial Day through Labor Day)
- Disabled Discount Pass
- Distinguished Veteran Pass
- State Parks Library Pass (must have Library hang tag)
* Can be purachased at the entrance kiosk
Huntington State Beach is located in Huntington Beach, California and extends two miles from Beach Boulevard south to the Santa Ana River on the Newport Beach boundary.
Physical Address:
21601 Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach, CA 92646
(mailing address for Bolsa Chica and Huntington State Beach)
Surfing
Huntington State Beach is a premier spot for surfing. Between late spring, summer and into the fall, Huntington receives all swells directly from the South; making for prime waves. When the surf breaks in shallower water, it causes incoming waves to form a desirable curled shape as they crest. Due to the Santa Ana River Jetties located at the southern end of the beach, large sandbars extend across and upcoast approximately 1 mile. These sandbars shift dramatically during the spring and summer seasons thus creating dangerous conditions. Surf at this beach often breaks very steep, rapid and hollow. Novice surfers are not encouraged to surf at this location. Shortboards are highly recommended.
Swimming
Swimming is allowed at Huntington State Beach with lifeguard services available. Ocean currents can be extremely dangerous at this beach creating large rip currents. Aquatic rescues are more than common and the probability of drowning for a non-swimmer in unguarded water is likely. Swimmers are advised to take extreme caution, remain close to shore and in front of a lifeguard tower. Huntington tends to be less breezy than nearby upcoast locations, nevertheless can be cold at times.
Fishing
Huntington is a popular place for surf fishing. Anglers can catch perch, corbina, croaker, cabezon and shovelnose guitarfish. Grunion Run events are scheduled during the summer and draw crowds for bare-handed fishing. This State Beach does permit surf fishing as long as there are no nearby swimmers. A valid CA Fishing License must be displayed as required.
Birdwatching
Huntington State Beach is the home of “California Least Terns,” an endangered species and is a nesting sanctuary of the “Snowy Plover,” a threatened species. Once-endangered “California Brown Pelicans” can often be seen skimming the shoreline. The Snowy Plover Reserve is located at the southern end of the beach between Talbert Channel and the Santa Ana River. Trespassing is prohibited and dogs are not allowed on the sand or anywhere near the Reserve. Across from the state beach is the 114-acre Huntington Beach Wetlands, operated by the Department of Fish and Game.
Accessibility
Outdoor showers, restrooms, and some ramadas are accessible. A beach wheelchair is available for loan, with ramps for sand access. Ask a park aide at our entrance kiosk or in our visitor center for instructions on how to reserve one.
Multi-Use Trail
There is a paved beachside trail that runs for 8.5 miles between Bolsa Chica and Huntington State Beaches. Beach-goers are welcome to walk, run, skate, bike, scooter, etc. on this trail.
Please note that non-human powered equipment, with few exceptions, are subject to restriction on Orange Coast District Trails. Please see District Superintendent's Posted Order No. 925-23-14 for full details.
Enjoy a beach sunset around the bonfire with friends and family any time of year! Huntington State Beach offers fire rings year-round, every day from 6:00am - 10:00pm (beach entrance closes at 9:00pm). Unless reserved with a ramada through our Special Events Department, all fire rings are first come, first served.
Fire Rings: Bonfires are only allowed within State Park designated fire rings. Our fire rings are first come first serve, unless reserved with a ramada through our Special Events Department.
Grills: NO charcoal grills allowed. Coal and wood may be used in the fire rings only. You may bring your own propane grill but it must be at least 18" off the ground. Propane grills can be put anywhere on the beach behind the line of Lifeguard Towers.
Alcohol: Alcoholic beverage consumption PROHIBITED, unless approved through a Special Events Permit through our Special Events Department. Violators are subject to citation and possible dismissal from the park (CCR T14 4326).
Party Items: Balloons, glass, and piñatas type items are prohibited. Please help us keep our space clean and our wildlife safe from mistaking these items for food.
Tents: No enclosed tents. All sun shelters must have at least one wall completely open.
Dogs: Pets are NOT allowed on the sand or in the water, with the exception of service animals. Pets ARE allowed on the multi-use trail and parking lots so long as they are on a leash and under control. Please consider visiting the Huntington Dog Beach if you are seeking an area where you may bring your dog onto the beach.
RVs: Pop-outs/awnings are not allowed. Each parking space must be available for a paid parked vehicle at all times. If bringing an RV, you must be inside it or on the beach at any given time. No overnight parking permitted.
Oversized Vehicles: All vehicles must be properly parked at all times in accordance with governing regulations and bear in mind that Department personnel may specify the arrangement of your recreational equipment at any time. (See Oversized Vehicle Parking Regulations)
Drones: The use of powered unmanned aircraft, drones, or other remote controlled aerial devices is prohibited within the park's boundaries. Use for filming may be requested under a California film permit. For more information, please see Filming with Drones (California Film Commission).
Vending/Concessions: The vending and selling of items, food, or services within park boundaries is prohibited without a permit or contract with the State.
Inflatable Rafts: Non-U.S. Coast Guard approved flotation devices such as inflatable floats, boats, pool toys, tubes, rafts, loungers and kayaks are prohibited.
A full list of Orange Coast District Posted Orders is available here: District Superintendent's Posted Order No. 925-23-14
General Inquiries: For general inquiries, please contact the Huntington State Beach Reception Office.
- Phone: (714)536-1454 (Daily, 9am-4pm)
Educational Programming: For all educational and interpretive programming, please contact Elizabeth Bailey.
- Elizabeth.Bailey@parks.ca.gov
Special Events, Picnic Reservations & Filming: For all activities that fall outside the scope of a normal beach day, please contact our Special Events Department.
- Megan.Gierhart@parks.ca.gov
- Natalie.Nunez@parks.ca.gov
- Phone: (714)377-9422 (M-F, 9am-4pm)
Court Liason: For law enforcement or medical service records, please contact our legal team.
- Parks.PRA@parks.ca.gov
The Prjkt Concessions LLC
Food and Beverage Concession Stands
- Sahara Sandbar & Pizza - A stunning ocean front restaurant offering pizza made with passion, refreshing cocktails, and exciting live entertainment.
- The Huntington Beach House - Great food, lively entertainment, and amazing drinks!
- California Fork & Spoon - Exciting changes coming soon!
City of Huntington Beach
The City of Huntington beach manages the property from Seapoint St. to Beach Blvd. along Pacific Coast Hwy
Lifeguard Services
Aquatic safety at Huntington State Beach is provided by the California State Parks Lifeguard Service. Lifeguards patrol the beach year-round while lifeguard towers are staffed roughly Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend.
Huntington Beach Wetlands
The Huntington Beach Wetlands are located across the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) from Huntington State Beach. For more information regarding the Huntington Beach Wetlands, please visit the Huntington Beach Wetland Conservancy page by clicking the logo below:
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