The iconHuntington Beach Pier & Surf City
Walk the 1,850-foot pier out over the break, watch surfers below, then trace the Surf City Walk of Fame and the International Surfing Museum a block inland.
Huntington Beach, United States
Surf City USA · Huntington Beach Pier & Main Street dining · Flights from Canada
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At a glance
Everything you need to know about Huntington Beach
Huntington Beach — trademarked Surf City USA — is Orange County's laid-back coastal city, built around its 1,850-foot pier and a walkable Downtown along Main Street. Days revolve around the Pacific Coast Highway: the International Surfing Museum, the shops and rooftop bars of Pacific City, birdwatching at the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve, and the annual US Open of Surfing. It sits just 15 minutes from John Wayne / Orange County Airport and makes an easy, sunny base for Newport Beach, Laguna, and a Disneyland day in nearby Anaheim.
Huntington Beach, CaliforniaClimate
Climate
12–28°C · mild, sunny SoCal coast
JanDec
PeakShoulderAvoid
A coastal Mediterranean climate means warm, dry summers and mild winters, cooled year-round by the Pacific onshore breeze.
Currency
US Dollar
1 CAD ≈ 0.73 USD · cards accepted everywhere
Entry
Visa-free
Valid passport; no visa or ESTA for Canadians by air
Top Experiences in Huntington Beach
The icon
Food & nightlifeMain Street & Pacific City
Downtown's Main Street packs surf shops, taco joints, and late bars, while the open-air Pacific City center pairs coastal dining with rooftop cocktails over the water.
Day tripBalboa Peninsula & Newport Beach
Head 20 minutes south to Balboa Island's ferry and frozen bananas, Newport's harbour, and the tidepools and cliffs of Corona del Mar.
Essential info for Canadian travellers
Passport & entry: Canadian citizens travelling to the US by air need only a valid passport — no visa or ESTA is required.
Currency: The US Dollar (USD) is used everywhere. Cards are widely accepted; keep small bills for tips, parking meters, and rideshares.
Power & plugs: The US uses 120V/60Hz with Type A/B plugs — the same as Canada, so your devices work without an adapter.
Time zone: Huntington Beach runs on Pacific Time (PT) — three hours behind Toronto year-round.
Getting around: A rental car is handy for the Pacific Coast Highway and day trips, but Downtown, the pier, and Pacific City are all walkable, and OC Bus routes and rideshare cover the rest.
Best time to visit Huntington Beach
Jun – AugPeak season
Warmest, sunniest days and the biggest events — including the US Open of Surfing in early August — with the highest rates and busiest sand.
Sep – OctPeak season
Warm water, clear skies, and thinner crowds once summer ends — arguably the best all-round window.
Mar – MayShoulder season
Mild spring days that can start grey with 'May Gray' coastal cloud, but quieter and better value.
Nov – FebShoulder season
Cooler, calmer weeks with the lowest rates — great for walks on the pier and the Cruise of Lights in the harbour.
Where to stay
Huntington Beach neighbourhoods & districts
Where you base yourself shapes your trip — from the walkable pier-side Downtown to the resort strip along the Pacific Coast Highway and the quiet waterways of Huntington Harbour. Here's how to choose.
Downtown & the Pier
Main Street
The heart of Surf City around Main Street and the pier — surf shops, restaurants, and bars all on foot, with the sand a block away.
Best for
- First-timers
- Nightlife
- Walkability
Pacific City & PCH
Pacific Coast Highway
The ocean-facing hotel row along the Pacific Coast Highway, home to the resorts and the open-air Pacific City shopping and dining center.
Best for
- Couples
- Ocean views
- Dining
Huntington Harbour
North-west waterways
Calm residential canals and marinas near Sunset Beach — quieter waterfront stays, paddleboarding, and the seasonal Cruise of Lights.
Best for
- Relaxation
- Longer stays
- Watersports
Bella Terra / Central HB
Inland, near the 405
Inland hotels around the Bella Terra shopping center, a short drive from the coast with better rates and quick freeway access for day trips.
Best for
- Value
- Road trips
- Families
Beyond the city
Day trips & excursions from Huntington Beach
Huntington Beach is a central base for Orange County and Los Angeles. Every excursion below can be booked through ShopTravel or your hotel tour desk.
Theme ParkDisneyland Resort, Anaheim
Full day · 10 hrs~20 km northeast · 25 min by car
Spend a day between Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure, then stroll Downtown Disney — an easy hop inland from the coast.
Insider tips
- Buy park tickets in advance
- Use the app for ride wait times
Scenic CoastLaguna Beach & the PCH
Full day · 7 hrs~30 km south · 40 min by car
Cruise the Pacific Coast Highway to Laguna Beach's coves, tide pools, and art galleries, with photo stops at Crystal Cove along the way.
Insider tips
- Check tide times for the pools
- Parking fills fast — arrive early
City & SeaLong Beach: Queen Mary & Aquarium
Full day · 8 hrs~30 km northwest · 35 min by car
Tour the historic Queen Mary ocean liner and the Aquarium of the Pacific, then wander the Shoreline Village waterfront.
Insider tips
- Combine tickets to save
- Weekdays are quietest
HarbourNewport Beach & Balboa Island
Half day · 5 hrs~15 km south · 20 min by car
Ride the Balboa Island ferry, browse the harbourfront shops, and try a Balboa Bar or frozen banana on the peninsula.
Insider tips
- The ferry takes cash only
- Rent a bike for the boardwalk
● Limited availability — book now
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Good to know
Huntington Beach travel FAQ
Everything Canadian travellers ask before booking
Do Canadians need a visa for Huntington Beach?
No. Canadian citizens travelling to the US by air need only a valid passport — no visa or ESTA is required.
Which airport should I fly into for Huntington Beach?
John Wayne / Orange County (SNA) is the closest, about 15 minutes away and reached with one connection. Nonstop flights to Los Angeles (LAX) and Long Beach (LGB), each roughly 30–45 minutes away, are other options.
How long is the flight from Canada to Huntington Beach?
Plan on about 8 hours to SNA from Toronto with one connection. Nonstop flights to nearby LAX run about 5.5 hours.
Do I need a car in Huntington Beach?
Downtown, the pier, and Pacific City are all walkable, so you can manage without one if you stay near the coast. A rental car helps for the Pacific Coast Highway and day trips, and rideshare covers shorter hops.
When is the best time to visit Huntington Beach?
June to October brings the warmest, sunniest weather — early August adds the US Open of Surfing. September and October pair warm water with thinner crowds, while winter is quiet and best value.
What is there to do besides the beach?
Plenty — the International Surfing Museum, Main Street's shops and bars, rooftop dining at Pacific City, birdwatching at the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve, and easy day trips to Disneyland, Newport, and Laguna.
What currency should I bring?
Huntington Beach uses US Dollars (USD). Cards are accepted everywhere, but keep small bills for tips, parking meters, and rideshares.
Can I book excursions through ShopTravel?
Yes — you can add day trips like the Disneyland Resort, Laguna Beach, Long Beach, and Newport to your booking at checkout.