Tag Archives: Huntington Beach

Huntington Sunset

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Activity: Beach’ it, Beach/Pier Stroll, Sunset Views

January 6, 2020

Huntington Beach and it’s iconic pier are synonymous with Southern California. Even the Los Angeles News Channel shows the HB Pier for their weather report, and Huntington Beach is in Orange County

Huntington Beach is 10 miles of California Dream’n. It is not Beverly Hills on the beach like Newport Beach, it doesn’t have rocky outcropping and flowers like Laguna Beach, it’s doesn’t have the celebrities like Malibu, it doesn’t have the muscle like Venice Beach, nor a Ferris Wheel like Santa Monica- what it does have is big, beautiful broad beaches, that accommodate large crowds and that is exactly what it has for the US Open of Surfing, the Airshow of the Pacific, and the 4th of July Fireworks, along with numerous other events. It seems like there is always something happening at the Huntington Beach Pier.

When I moved to Huntington Beach back in the 80’s I lived right on the sand in the condos next to the pier. What a place for a young man to live. I was blown away to see the best surfers, skim boarders, and skaters I had ever seen. BMX bikers that could make their bikes dance. I thought to myself doesn’t anyone have a job here? In that respect nothing much has changed, it is still a celebration of life and of Beach.

Surf City USA defines the surf culture for the World. Each year the US Open of Surfing has beach goers, and surfing enthusiasts flocking to Huntington’s golden sands to cheer on the best surfers on the planet. HB hosts the biggest surfing event in the world and it’s standing room only during the week long event Finals.

The US Open of Surfing draws about half a million to this the ultimate celebration of beach culture, and it seems every fit dude is there showing off rock hard abs to a host of bodacious beach babes that can really rock a bikini. During the seven day beach party there is a circus like atmosphere that goes hand in hand with the surfing event. There is plenty of action behind the scenes, basically a surf fair on the other side of the grandstands with food, drawings and give always at booths put on by many of the manufacturers of the beach lifestyle, and fun in the sun activities. The best skate boarders, and BMX Bikers are showing off their moves with an arena just for them. There are big screens on the pier and in the surf fair with Live TV feed of the surfing.

At times the event has had the top motorcycle stunt jumpers, major recording acts giving free concerts, and bikini contests. The event had become so big in the mid 80’s that it was impossible to control and things got out of hand resulting in a riot. So at that point they scaled it back.

Besides the surfing there seems like there is always something going on at the pier such as Pro Volleyball, World Championship of Paint Ball, concerts, it is always something.

  • Daughter Marina enjoying the California Dream
  • US Open of Surfing photo via Uglyhedgehog
  • US Open of Surfing
Blue Angeles Airshow of the Pacific, photo via LAYC
Daughter Marina, “Pursuing Balance Through Adventure” Baseball Cap Ad
“It’s a wonderful metaphor, catching a wave, for how you can look at other challenges in your life.” – Jeff Bridges

Thanks for joining Marina and myself as we brought you another episode of Orange County Beaches and in particular my beloved Huntington Beach. Take a moment and COMMENT, LIKE, SHARE, and FOLLOW so you can enjoy more OC Beaches. While you are at it, checkout the menu above and join me for “Pursuing Balance Through Adventure“ and explore with me how to unleash that inner hiking, backpacking, and adventure beast in you as we at the same time explore our inner being through profound experiences in nature. Each PBTA location is a separate website and each will need to be FOLLOWED independently. If you like the baseball caps that Marina and I are wearing you can have you own “Pursuing Balance Through Adventure“ hat sent and go to SHOP APPAREL for all your adventure wear needs.

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Sunset Beach

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CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH, CALIFORNIA

Activity: Beach Walk, Storm Watching

Date: 4-10-20

Storm Clouds Gather Over Sunset Beach While Corona Virus Closes Surfside Beach

Sunset Beach is a quaint community locals beach. When I first moved to Huntington Beach, living in the condos right on the beach, just adjacent to the famed Huntington Beach Pier, there was a joke that HB was the quintessential, where were the action was, California beach scene and it was for the young and the adventurous and if you settled down and got married, well then you needed to move to Sunset Beach. Indeed Sunset Beach is much more quiet and more of a residential beach where nice beach homes line it’s broad mile and a half long beach.

Sunset Beach is boarder to the North by Surfside Beach, a private gated community that is actually part of the City of Seal Beach, and just beyond that the Seal Beach Naval Weapons Station. To the South of Sunset Beach is Bolsa Chica State Beach.

On this mid April day storm clouds gathered over Sunset Beach both literally and figuratively. The LA Beaches had all been closed, due to fears of the Corona Virus, but most Orange County Beaches remained open. The OC Beaches were attempting to control the crowds and thus promote “Social Distancing” by closing all piers and all parking lots as well as street metered parking. The reality was most of the time this strategy worked, but on nice weekends near the HB Pier- not so much. HB would later lead the nation in protest to lift the Corona Virus restrictions and get back to work and life as we knew it. So you can see… Storm Clouds gathering…

But on this day my walk along Sunset Beach was, as it always is, relaxing, a stress reliever, and throughly enjoyable. It was made even more interesting by the storm. When you live in SoCal and every day is perfect it is extraordinarily beautiful to see big black storm clouds roll in. I could see in the distance heavy rain to the south of me in the area the HB Pier, but I received only a light misting as I hiked along the beach. There were a few others enjoying the spectacle, but I practically had the beach to myself due to the Corona Virus as well as it being a stormy day with a good chance of a down pour. Some of the people I ran a crossed had on face masks. I was sporting my new fashionable Pursuing Balance Through Adventure Face Gator in an effort to follow requests to cover your face, but not use the medical masks needed for First Responders.

There were surfers out enjoying some tasty waves with some nice little sets with good form rolling in, but otherwise it was me, the beach, and the storm.

After walking Sunset Beach I continued my stroll to include Surfside Beach, which is connected. It is basically the same beach, however this gated community is actually part of the City of Seal Beach. What I discovered on my way back is that the beach was actually closed, as is Seal Beach. Oops… Well there was just one little sign and I was walking along the water’s edge and didn’t see it- sorry. I was not the only one on the beach, but then again there were very few.

Delightful little hike along the beach, and the storm clouds made it unusually special.

Storm Clouds Gather Over Sunset Beach
The Water Tower House is an area landmark. How cool is that place? Talk about your 360 views.
When anxious, uneasy and bad thoughts come, I go to the sea, and the sea drowns them out with its great wide sounds, cleanses me with its noise, and imposes a rhythm upon everything in me that is bewildered and confused. —Rainer Maria Rilke

Thanks for joining me on another addition of ‘Pursuing Balance Through Adventure’ OC Beaches. As far as the Corona Virus, this to shall pass. I am sure we are all in agreement that day cannot come soon enough, and when it does let’s go to the beach. Please COMMENT, FOLLOW, LIKE, and SHARE. Checkout the Menu above for hikes in a variety of locales. You will need to FOLLOW each individually. If you like the apparel pictured in this post then go to SHOP APPAREL which will help offset some of the costs for PBTA.

Happy Trails-

Roger Jenkins, ’Pursing Balance Through Adventure’