Pursuing Balance Thru Adventure | Orange County Beaches

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

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.

Laguna Beach, California

Activity: Exploring, rock scrambling

Date: June 24, 2019

Laguna Beach is a very special place so much to do, see and enjoy. Lots of fun shops, restaurants and things to do. But my favorite thing to do is to go to the beach. Laguna has so many fabulous beaches it is hard to choose which one to explore and that is the fun of it. Another outing, another beach, cove, or tide pool.

Parking in Laguna in the summer is difficult, to say the least, and the city makes a living on parking tickets so you are forewarned. No matter when you go through town there is always traffic. So a special tip is to park where you can and then take the free Trolley.

The Trolley is fun, open air, has lots of pickup spots, and did I mention FREE?

We parked North of famous Hessler Park, which by the way, is one of my favorite places anywhere, walked through part of the park and then took the Trolley through town. The bus drivers, as this is really a bus that looks like a Trolley, are friendly and informative. We got off at Moss Point.

There is an historic mansion there and a plaque about it really being like the first Western White House, but beyond looking through the gate at how the other half lived not a lot to see.

Once you ramble down the street and take the staircase down you spy a lovely cove with a little beach and a lifeguard stand. There are rocks to the left that we took out to the point. It was a heavy June Gloom marine layer, but even that was delightful. There is an arch to go through and a wonderful vista looking south with coastline filled with mansions with views that we can experience as well, but from the rocks.

Moss Point- simply delightful, and a good place for snorkeling and scuba.