Huntington Beach Visitors Guide 2008

BeACh ACTIvITIeS BEACH SAfETy TIpS frOm THE LIfEGuArDS The Huntington Beach Marine Safety Division wants to prevent beachrelated accidents. These safety tips have been developed with assistance from the U.S. Lifesaving Association. Additional safety tips are available at www.usla.org. > Avoid serious injuries in shallow breaking waves by extending a hand out in front of you when diving, body surfing or wiping out on a surfboard. > Swim sober. Alcohol is a major cause of drowning; it lowers body temperature, impairs ability and encourages risky behavior. > Don’t overestimate your swimming ability. Stay ashore if you are a non-swimmer. > If you enter a rip current, do not panic or attempt to swim directly to shore. Instead, relax and swim parallel to the shoreline until the current allows you to swim back. > Never swim alone and stay near staffed lifeguard towers. > Before entering the water, ask a lifeguard for the current surf conditions. > Swim or surf only in designated areas and keep a safe distance from jetties and piers. > Do not dig deep holes in the sand as they can easily cave in, creating a danger for small children. Refill any holes you create. > Shuffle your feet along the ocean floor to avoid the occasional stingray. > Do not bring glass to the beach. BEACH CONCESSIONAIrES The oldest merchants in Huntington Beach, these shops will sell or rent umbrellas, beach mats, chairs, backrests, firewood or food and beverage. For more active fun, let them outfit you with a bike, surf or boogie board, wetsuit, inline skates or volleyball. Some will even provide a “s’mores kit” for your evening at the fire ring. Most are open daily from March to October, and on weekends in the winter. > Dwight’s The oldest business in Huntington Beach, in operation since 1932. One block south of the Pier • 714.536.8083 > Jack’s Jack is Dwight’s son and has been in business since 1958. In front of the Hilton Waterfront Beach Resort. 714.536.8328 fIrE rINGS The after-dark bonfire is a special activity of Huntington Beach. Don’t leave here without having done this. Nearly 600 free public fire rings are located between the parking lots and the water. Firewood is available from nearby concessionaires and supermarkets. Bring the s’mores supplies. You will not soon forget the sight of glowing fires burning up and down the beach. KITES Watch kites, fly a kite, take a kite-flying lesson. You can rent them near the Pier, and take lessons for the more complicated stunt-flying maneuvers. The Kite Connection sells sport kites and offers lessons in kite surfing. 714.536.3630 ANNuAL GruNION ruN Bolsa Chica State Beach is best known for grunion runs, when thousands of the small silvery fish run toward shore at high tide, jump out of the water and lay their eggs in the sand. It’s an amazing sight. Grunion spawn only on California beaches during a full or new moon from March through August from about 11 p.m. to 3 a.m., long after the beach is normally closed to the public (at 10 p.m.). The California Department of Fish and Game posts information each January with a schedule of anticipated runs. www.dfg.ca.gov/marine/gruschd.asp To participate in the run, adults are required to have a fishing license. The fish may be captured only by hand, except during the closed season, usually April and May. Huntington State Beach and Huntington City Beach also have grunion runs and allow those actively fishing for grunion to be on the beach during these times. For information about parking when the beaches are closed, contact the beaches (see pages 8, 10 and 11). > Zack’s Beach Catering and Concessions Zack’s Pier Plaza — Located just north of the Pier at Pacific Coast Highway and Main Street. • 714.536.0215 Zack’s Too –– Will cater a beach party and has a service station. Located at Pacific Coast Highway and Beach Boulevard. • 714.536.2696 BEACH VOLLEyBALL You can play or watch at 30 public courts at the City Beach. Huntington State Beach also has courts. The tradition is first-come, first-served, but the wait is rarely long. The nets are always up; bring your own ball, or rent one at a nearby concessionaire. BICyCLE CruISING The Strand is 8-1/2 miles long and made for biking—the pathway is paved, and you can’t beat the views. You can rent bikes—single or tandem, surrey cycles, beach cruisers—at many local hotels, near the Pier or from concessionaires. 16 2008 I SURF CITY USA® http://www.usla.org http://www.dfg.ca.gov/marine/gruschd.asp

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Huntington Beach Visitors Guide 2008

Huntington Beach Visitors Guide 2008 Contents Letter from Dean Torrence/What's New Welcome The Beach Surfing Beach Activities Downtown Huntington Beach Huntington Harbour Nature Arts & Culture Family Reunions Attractions Romantic Getaways History of Huntington Beach Day Trips Golf Sports & Recreation Professional Sports Lodging Directory Dining & Nightlife Directory Destination Shopping Gardens Spas Planning Your Trip Visitor Travel Tips Maps Huntington Beach Conference and Visitors Bureau

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