Huntington Beach Visitors Guide 2008

in in today’s fast-paced world, family is more important than ever. A great way to stay connected is a family reunion, and with thousands of things to do, and sunny days all year long, there’s no better place to hold one than in Surf City USA®. PLAN THE VACATION OVERVIEW > Get organized early. Create a committee of water lovers and sun worshippers. > Choose a date. Decide the time of year and give your relatives advance notice. Check our annual event calendar (see page 75) to find a special event you wish to attend, or consult the city’s official website at www.surfcityevents.com. > Make a list. How many people? Contact area hotels to find room availability (see page 48). If it is a large extended family gathering, contact hotels for special group rates. > Research activities. Once you have accommodations reserved, plan things to do. Look through this guide for ideas about renting spaces for large groups, finding group rates for theater or lessons, arranging special tours, etc. Prepare a plan for possible excursions. > Stay focused. As the date approaches stay focused on the reason you are holding the event in the first place. Begin to anticipate how you and your family will connect in Surf City. PLAN A DAY YOUR GROUP WILL LOVE Whatever your family focus, there’s a perfect day in Huntington Beach waiting for you. Think about specific themes, or special interests for planning outings. Here are a few ideas for general planning that can be tailored to the interests of your group. THEMES: > The Beach > Outdoor Venues and Parks > Boat Trips and Offshore Excursions > Special Events And Festivals > Hotels and Resorts YOUNG ONES Sometimes it’s hard to find things for the youngest members of your family, but not in Surf City. Plan a day at the Huntington Beach Central Library and Cultural Center (page 30), which has a large children’s library, the Tabby Storytime Theater and special events all year round. Afterwards, head to Surf City’s sandy beaches for some fun in the sun. The city has great playgrounds in the community parks, too. Try Huntington Central Park and Pattinson Park. Camp Hyatt at Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort and Spa features games, surf lessons, swimming and crafts. The Hilton Waterfront Beach Resort features a no-cost Vacation Station program for guests’ children ages one to 12. TRIfLING TEENS There’s a reason why Huntington Beach has been rated “One of the Top Five Destinations for Teenagers and Their Parents” by the New York Post. When it comes to inspiring bored teens to get up and go, Surf City is the place to be. Try enticing your teens with a day of extreme activities, starting at one of Huntington Beach’s skate parks (page 45). Follow it up with some surfing and body boarding. There are many places to rent boards, take lessons and ride a variety of waves (page 14). Try horseback riding at Huntington Central Park (page 44), rock climbing (page 45), billiards, paintball, or rent a bike or motor scooter. Surf City has a reputation as an extreme sports venue and has been home to competitions such as Core Tour BMX and King of the Dirt Hill, ESPN X-Games surf competition, National Professional Paintball League (NPPL) Competition, Boardfest with Holly Beck, Serena Brooke Surf Camp and Vans Triple Crown of Skating. There are over 50 surfing competitions throughout the year, as well. You may want to plan your trip to coincide with one of them (see calendar, page 75). CULTURE CLUb If you wish to enlighten and enrich, options truly abound. The Newland House Museum (page 39) serves up history and Americana in a Victorian farmhouse, while the International Surfing Museum (page 13) covers many intriguing aspects of the sport. Next, plan a visit to some of the local art galleries or the Huntington Beach Art Center. When the sun goes down the lights come up for entertainment at local community theaters like the Huntington Beach Playhouse or the Golden West College Main Stage Theater (page 30). Ask for group discounts. NATURE LOVERS Outdoor enthusiasts love Huntington Beach for its endless outdoor activities. Open your eyes to bird watching at Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve (page 26). Surf City is a great place to go for a walk, with the long trails of Huntington Beach at your disposal, and the nearby Santa Ana River Trail, perfect for hiking and cycling (page 10). Take in all the splendors of the outdoors at the Shipley Nature Center (page 27), where visitors can view local plant life and indigenous animals and sit in on lectures that teach about the way life was for the Native Americans who lived here long ago. fOR EVERYONE Being together is what it’s all about, so whether it’s a family round of golf at one of the amazing Orange County courses (page 43), shopping at Bella Terra, 5 Points or the unique Old World Village shopping center (page 71), catching a movie, attending a festival or taking a boat tour, Surf City has it all. Organize a Disc (Frisbee®) Golf tournament (page 44) or group surfing lessons (page 14). Plan a picnic or softball game in a city park. Edison, Lake, Seabridge and Village View Parks have many amenities for groups. It’s easy to make a memory in Huntington Beach. MEETINGS & CONFERENCE SERVICES If your great vacation inspires you to hold a meeting or special event here, contact the Huntington Beach Conference and Visitors Bureau. We will arm you with brochures and maps, assist with coordination, recommend unique venues, and suggest activities for spouses and children. Let us make your event successful and fun. Visit us at www.huntingtonbeachmeetings.com or call us at 800.729.6232. www.surfcityusa.com i 2008 33 http://www.surfcityevents.com http://www.huntingtonbeachmeetings.com http://www.surfcityusa.com

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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