Huntington Beach in California is the surf capital of the United States with epic waves, beach bonfires and the perfect laidback vibe for a beach getaway.
Huntington Beach is Surf City USA and home to one of the most iconic beach breaks in America. But there are so many other activities for non-surfers including a year round calendar of major events and parties on the sand.
This city first came into being in 1904 when Hawaiian surf legends Duke Kahanamoku and George Freeth gave surfing demonstrations on the beach, and the rest as they say, is surfing history.
Recently voted Best California Beach by USA Today, here are 10 reasons to hit Huntington Beach this year:
Huntington Beach Pier
Extending nearly two kilometres out to see this iconic pier is one of the longest in the West Coast and the one thing you need to Insta to prove you are in SoCal. The pier is a place to hang out, meet friends and check out the waves.
The surf
It is all about the waves here, with the beach playing host to Van’s US Open of Surfing – the world’s largest surfing comp. And when the pros pack up, the locals takeover and get access to the same great quality surfing, day after day.
The museum of surfing
How much do the locals love surfing? Enough to dedicate a museum to it! The International Surfing Museum is the home of surfing history, folklore and to the preservation of SoCal’s surfing culture.
S’mores on the beach
Just south of the famous pier there are hundreds of concrete fire rings dotted along the sand, ready for the area’s famous night-time bonfires. Stoke up the fire, grab a blanket and make some s’mores as you listen to the crashing waves.
So Cal Corgi Beach Day
This is a giant beach “pawty” for corgis and all their fellow canines, the biggest bash of its kind on the sand at Huntington Beach. It’s a great day out with loads of food trucks, contests and music so that everyone has a doggone good time!
Coastal Country Jam
A celebration of all things country music, the Coastal Country Jam starts off with a wicked beachfront brunch then the afternoon sees some of the state’s best country acts play on the beach.
See the surf pros
Come July, the US Open of Surfing will take over Huntington Beach with a nine-day celebration of surfing and surf culture. See over 300 international athletes compete for one of surfing most coveted titles.
Celebrate the end of summer
To see off the northern summer, Surf City Days is a community event that offers beach volleyball, paddle boarding, surfing and skating – all the things SoCal locals love to do.
Bless the waves
Another fun, post-summer get together is the famous Blessing of the Waves. This is a non-denominational event that brings together the Big Kahunas of all faiths – pastors, imams, rabbis and surfers – to give thanks for the amazing coastline that runs along this part of the world.
Go whale watching
This part of the coast has some of the best whale watching in the US as cruises head out to watch the migrating humpbacks and the friendly pods of local dolphins.
Go Southern California Dreaming with Qantas Holidays
There’s no better time to book your clients a Huntington Beach experience. Start booking and earn those bonus points for your spot on the Qantas Holidays Race Around. Come September 9th, 2018, 40 LUCKY TRAVEL AGENTS will be jetting off to Los Angeles to start their amazing 6-day ‘Race Around’.
Book your clients a SoCal adventure today
You can book 2 nights from $449* per person twin share at The Waterfront Beach Hotel, A Hilton Hotel, one of the top family-favourite beach hotels in Orange County. Valid for travel 15 August 2018 – 31 March 2019. Check out all the offers on the customisable flyer(s) available at qhv.com.au
READ: Will you be joining Qantas’s Race Around 2018?
READ: 7 things agents learnt on Qantas Race Around Northern California
Have you been to Surf City USA?
Written by Paul Chai, KARRYON contributor
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