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Huntington Beach, California
Huntington Beach is a seaside city in Orange County in southern California. As of the 2006 census, the city population was 194,436. It is bordered by the Pacific Ocean on the west, by Seal Beach on the north, by Costa Mesa on the south, by Westminster on the northeast, and by Fountain Valley on the east.
It is known for its long 8.5 mile (14 km) beach, mild climate, and excellent surfing. The waves are a unique natural effect caused by edge-diffraction of ocean swells by the island of Catalina, and waves from distant hurricanes. Because of the curve of the coastline at Huntington Beach, the local beach actually faces southwest. In summer, the southwest-facing beach often has very strong surf generally referred to as a "south swell". South swells can be generated from either (winter) storms originating in the southern Pacific Ocean off New Zealand or from hurricanes off the Mexican coast or a combination of both.
The area of Huntington Beach was originally occupied by the Tongva people, also known as Gabrielinos, whose lands stretched from what is now Topanga Canyon through Aliso Creek in Laguna Beach. European settlement can be traced to Spanish soldier, Manuel Nieto, who in 1784 received a Spanish land grant of 300,000 acres, which he named Rancho Los Nietos, as a reward for his military service. The Stearns Rancho Company ran cattle and horses and raised barley crops on what is now the city of HB. In the early 1800’s a portion of property was sold to Col. Robert Northam, who raised and sold barley to surrounding ranchers. By 1889, the city was called Shell Beach and consisted of a small group of settlers. In 1901, Shell Beach was changed to Pacific City when P.A. Stanton formed a local syndicate and purchased 40 acres along the beach with 20 acres on each side of Main Street. Stanton’s dream was to build a town on the Pacific Coast which would rival Atlantic City on the East Coast.
Huntington Beach incorporated in 1909 under its first mayor, Ed Manning. Its original developer was the Huntington Beach Company, a real-estate development firm owned by Henry Huntington, a railroad magnate after whom the city is named. The Huntington Company is still a major land-owner in the city. Huntington Beach remained a sleepy seaside town until the famous oil boom in the 1920’s.
The initial growth of the city began with the oil boom in 1920. This was the largest California oil deposit known at the time. Wells sprang up overnight and in less than a month the town grew from 1,500 to 5,000 people. After a final oil strike in 1953, the fire department began clearing out oil derricks within the city and along the coast to make room for the population explosion that began in the 1950’s. Beginning in the late 1950’s and continuing into the 1960’s and 1970’s, residents by the thousands moved into the City. Huntington Beach became the fastest growing city in the continental U.S. as housing tract after housing tract were built. In the 1970’s and 1980’s oil production rigs were concealed to improve the beach’s image. Forty years ago, Donald Douglas Jr. acquired the bean fields across from the current U.S. Weapons Station bordering Bolsa Chica in HB. He began building the Douglas Aircraft Space Systems Center. The plant produced the upper stage of the Saturn V rocket that took the Apollo astronauts on their successful mission to the moon. Douglas aircraft became McDonnell Douglas, and in the 1990’s Boeing purchased the combined firms. Today Boeing is one of the largest employers in HB.
In 1925, Duke Kahanamoku brought the sport of surfing to Huntington Beach and the Southern California shores. The city’s first surf shop, Gordie’s Surf Boards, opened in 1953. Six years later, the first U.S. Surfing Championships were held in Huntington Beach. The following year, the Surfing Championships were covered on television, which rocketed Huntington Beach’s international fame as a surfer’s paradise. In 2005, the USA Surf Team adopted Huntington Beach as its official home and the Association of Surfing Professionals-North America moved to the city.
The dynamic coastal City of Huntington Beach, with its sunny Mediterranean climate and idyllic setting, is home to more than 195,000 residents. Internationally known as Surf City, Huntington Beach boasts eight miles of scenic, accessible beachfront, the largest stretch of uninterrupted beachfront on the West Coast. Tourism remains a vital part of the economy, as over 11 million visitors flock to the city during the summer, on weekends and for special events.
Our parks and recreation features one of the largest recreational piers in the world, public parks, riding stables and equestrian trails, a marina, and a wildlife preserve, and an eight-mile biking, inline skating, jogging, and walking trail along the ocean. The crown jewel of the recreation system is the wide expanse of beautiful and spacious beaches, where large crowds gather to watch professional sporting events as the U.S. Open of Surfing, AVP Pro Beach Volleyball and the Surf City USA Marathon.
The quality of life in Huntington Beach is enhanced by its reputation as one of the ten safest cities by City Crime Rankings and the quality of the community services offered to its citizens. The Huntington Beach Art Center and the Huntington Beach Playhouse provide a wide variety of fine arts, and the excellent library system and numerous museums provide a strong cultural foundation. The educational system, with five city high schools and 35 elementary schools, is excellent. Huntington Beach is home to Golden West Community College. It is also a short distance to UC Irvine, Cal State Long Beach and Cal State Fullerton.
The city is located 40 miles south of Los Angeles and provides easy access to Long Beach and all of Orange county.
Huntington Beach is a seaside city within Orange County in Southern California. It is bordered by the Pacific Ocean on the west, and has been long known for its long 8.5 miles of beautiful beach, mild climate, and excellent surfing, earning it the nickname of Surf City. Surf, sand, sun and subtle sophistication encapsulate what the City of Huntington Beach is all about.
The California lifestyle is synonymous with Huntington Beach. Dean Torrence, from the 1960’s pop group Jan and Dean, who co-authored the famous number one hit “Surf City,” said that Huntington Beach embodies the song’s spirit of freedom and California fun. The city is also mentioned in the Beach Boys song “Surfin’ Safari” and in “Surfer Joe” by the Surfaris. Ocean swells, endless sunshine and a fleet of bobbing longboards have played an instrumental role in earning the city its well-deserved “Surf City” nickname. Nothing epitomizes the California surf culture more than HB. Boasting some of California’s widest, cleanest, and safest beaches, the unofficial dress code has become a mix of wetsuits, bikinis and sandals accessorized by volleyballs, surf boards and beach towels.
Named the "Best City to Live in Orange County" by the Orange County Register readers, Huntington Beach offers residents a charming community with ideal weather, a diversified economy overflowing with good jobs, a wide variety of housing, an excellent educational system, boat marinas, numerous parks, and exemplary health care. The City of Huntington Beach is located along the Southern California coast in Orange County, 35 miles south of Los Angeles and 90 miles north of San Diego. Named for railroad magnate Henry Huntington who orchestrated its development, the city is now an epicenter of activity and entertainment with wide, sandy beaches. Climate The climate is generally sunny, dry and cool, although evenings can be damp due to the ocean breeze. Prevailing westerly and southwesterly winds off the Pacific Ocean help maintain pleasant, smog-free weather year round with temperatures ranging mostly from 65° to 80° Fahrenheit. The mean annual humidity is 64.7%. In the morning and evening, there are strong breezes, about 15 mph. In the summer, temperatures rarely exceed 85 degrees. In the winter, temperatures rarely fall below 40 degrees, even on clear nights. Annual rainfall is less than 12 inches, with a majority of the rain falling between December and March. Frost occurs only rarely on the coldest winter nights. Ocean temperatures average 55 to 65 degrees. The city has a total area of 31.6 square miles. 26.4 square miles of it is land and 5. 2 square miles is water. The entire city lays in the 714 area code, except for small parts of Huntington Harbour, along with Sunset Beach, the unincorporated community adjacent to Huntington Harbour, which is 562 area code.
The City of Huntington Beach lives up to its motto of “The City of Expanding Horizons.” The population has swelled from 11,000 in 1960 to nearly 200,000 in 2006. As of the 2000 Census, Huntington Beach recorded a population of 189,594 people. At that time the racial makeup of the city was 79.22 percent White, 14.66 percent Hispanic or Latino, 9.34 percent Asian, 0.81 percent Black or African American, and .65 percent Native American.
As the third largest city in Orange County and the 19th largest in the State of California, more than 60,000 people are currently employed by over 10,000 businesses in the city. The unemployment rate in Huntington Beach is one of the lowest among large cities in the United States at 1.9 percent. According to the 2005 American Community Survey of the U.S. Census Bureau, the median income for households is $72,141 with a mean income of $92,338. The median income for families is $85,984 with a mean income of $106,055, which is one of the highest among the 100 largest cities in the United States.
The Civic Center is located at 2000 Main Street, Huntington Beach,
CA 92648. Tourism and technology are the leading industries in Huntington Beach today. Home to more than 650 industrial businesses, including Boeing, Quicksilver, Cambro Manufacturing, Dynamic Cooking Systems and C & D Aerospace, Huntington Beach boasts a diversified and dynamic economy
Huntington Beach contains a major installment of one of the state’s largest employers, Boeing, formerly McDonnell-Douglas. A number of installments on the Boeing campus were originally constructed to service the Apollo Program, most notably the production of the S-IVB upper stage for the Saturn IB and Saturn V rockets, and some nearby telephone poles are still marked “Apollo Dedicated Mission Control Line.”
The second largest employer in Huntington Beach, clothing manufacturer Quicksilver, also has its world-wide corporate headquarters within the city.
Tourism
Due to its abundance of beaches; sunny, warm mediterranean climate; local surfing; and casual lifestyle, Huntington Beach has emerged as a perfect vacation experience for both young and old. With miles of uninterrupted, pristine beaches along the Pacific Ocean, ideal weather, a welcoming attitude, and a wide variety of entertainment options, Huntington Beach plays host to an annual visitor population of more than 11 million people, with the greatest attendance during summer, special events, and weekends.
Boasting a comfortable climate throughout the year with a temperature that rarely gets above 90 degrees and seldom sees rainfall, visitors can take part in the many outdoor activities and special events Huntington Beach offers.
Beyond the beach, the City of Huntington Beach boasts top-class restaurants, shopping, hotels, resorts, spas and a thriving downtown district. The downtown district includes an active art center, an eclectic shopping district, and the International Surfing Museum. Downtown was also once the home of the famous music club “The Golden Bear,” which hosted the likes of Jimi Hendrix and Frank Sinatra. Visitors can also find the Surfing Hall of Fame and the Surfing Walk of Fame downtown.
The city is centrally located to all major attractions in Orange County. In Anaheim, tourists can visit the Disney Resorts, Honda Center, home of the Anaheim Ducks hockey team, and Angels Stadium, home to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim baseball team. In Long Beach, tourists can visit the historic Queen Mary and the Aquarium of the Pacific. Sea World and the San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park are located in San Diego. Los Angeles is located 35 miles to the northwest and San Diego is 95 miles to the southeast. Huntington Beach is also conveniently located near three airports: John Wayne/Orange County (SNA), Long Beach (LGB), and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).
Natural Resources
Huntington Beach considers its beaches as a valuable natural resource. Construction of any kind on the beach is prohibited without a vote of the people, allowing Huntington Beach to retain its natural tie to the ocean.
Huntington Beach sits above a large natural salt dome containing oil. Although the oil is mostly depleted, extraction continues at a slow rate, and still provides significant local income. There are only two off-shore extraction facilities left, however, and the day is not far off when oil production in the city will cease and tourism will replace it as the primary revenue source for resident industry. The Huntington Beach community is proud of its educational system that provides learning opportunities for its nearly 50,000 students of all ages. Huntington Beach offers residents a superb educational system with 35 elementary schools and five high schools located in the city. Together, more than 50 public and private schools offer elementary, middle, high school and adult education to the residents of Huntington Beach. Further educational opportunities are offered in close proximity at Golden West College, Orange Coast College, the University of California, Irvine, and California State Universities at Long Beach and Fullerton. Golden West and Coastline community colleges are located within the city limits. Further educational opportunities are offered nearby at the University of Irvine, the California State Universities of Long Beach and Fullerton, and a number of private colleges. Our schools are the recipients of many state and national awards. In the last two years, a remarkable four Huntington Beach schools have received the prestigious National Blue Ribbon designation. For 2002-2003, Circle View Elementary and private Hebrew Academy in Huntington Beach earned the distinction. In 2001-2002, Isaac Sowers Middle School and Marine View. In the last few years, a remarkable number of Huntington Beach schools have also received California Distinguished School awards. In 2004, four Huntington Beach schools were named California Distinguished Schools: John R. Peterson Elementary in the Huntington Beach City School District; and Westmont, Village View and College View in the Ocean View School District.
Four districts educate Huntington Beach elementary and middle school students: Huntington Beach City School District, Ocean View School District, Fountain Valley School District, and Westminster School District. The staff's high expectations for students and themselves are reflected in high performance levels and high test scores.
The Huntington Beach Union High School District oversees six high schools in the area, four located in Huntington Beach: Huntington Beach High School, Ocean View High School, Marina High School, and Edison High School. District wide, the Class of 2003 had over 3,000 graduates who experienced a rigorous level of preparation and were well prepared for future goals. Huntington Beach Union High School District makes it a priority to increase student participation in college admission testing, giving more students the opportunity to attend college and successfully meet their professional goals. For the Class of 2003, 55% of the graduates took the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT). Scores are soaring above California and national averages. A recent survey of graduating seniors indicated that 95% plan to earn a college degree. Recent graduates also earned scholarship offers of over seventeen million dollars. Our high quality schools are a major factor in preparing our youth for the workforce of the future. This district includes Edison High School, Huntington Beach High School, Marina High School, and Ocean View High School within the city; Fountain Valley High School in Fountain Valley, and Westminster High School in Westminster. The district also has an alternative school, Valley Vista High School, and an independent study school, Coast High School. The city’s first high school, Huntington Beach High School, was built in 1906 and celebrated its 100th year anniversary in 2006. The school’s team, the Oilers, is named after the city’s original natural resource.
Huntington Beach is also home to two community colleges. The community colleges have a significant impact upon the local economy by further preparing Huntington Beach residents for higher education and the job market. The Coast Community College District (CCCD) serves the broader Huntington Beach area on three campuses. Golden West College was founded in 1966, and is proud to house the only nursing and police training programs in the District. Located in the northern part of Huntington Beach near the 405 Freeway, its innovative architecture and attractive landscaping define the 122-acre Golden West College campus. The college offers a wide range of career, transfer, certificate programs, and community service events. Services include counseling, financial aid, childcare, health center, and a nationally recognized disabled students program. A 350-seat theater, an art gallery, and a science museum provide cultural opportunities for students and the community. Community college students often complete Associate Arts Degrees, choose from a wide choice of training certificates, or fulfill their lower division credits before transferring to four-year universities.
The City of Huntington Beach is a full service city. Founded in the late 1880s, Huntington Beach was incorporated as a Charter City in 1909 and has a City Council/City Administrator form of government. Since its incorporation, Huntington Beach has made a name for itself through open, responsive city government. Its major departments include the City Administrator's office, Building and Safety, Planning, Library Services, Public Works, Community Services, Information Services, Human Resources, Finance, Economic Development and Police and Fire. The residents of Huntington Beach are represented by ten elected officials: the seven City Council Members and the City Attorney, City Clerk and City Treasurer. The elected city council adopt laws, sets standards, approves contracts, determines municipal policy, and appoints a city administrator to be responsible for the day-to-day operation of the city.
City Council Members are elected to four year terms and subject to term limits that restrict them from serving more than two consecutive terms. The Mayor and Mayor Pro-Tem are selected from among the City Council Members. The largely ceremonial posts are determined by seniority on the City Council and the number of votes a Council Member is elected with. The City Council meets the first and third Monday of each month. Unless otherwise announced, the meetings are held in the City Council Chambers and typically begin at 4 P.M. with a study session or closed session meeting. The televised portion of the City Council meeting starts at approximately 6 P.M. and can be viewed on cable television on channel 3. Council meetings are web cast live and also archived on the city's website. The Civic Center, including the City Council Chambers, is located at 2000 Main Street, Huntington Beach, CA 92648.
The City Attorney , City Clerk and City Treasurer are also elected offices. These three elected officials also serve four year terms, but are not subject to term limits. The City Attorney represents the City in all legal matters and before administrative bodies. The City Clerk is the City's official Custodian of Records and preserves and maintains, in protective custody, all documents certifying City Council actions. The City Treasurer receipts all transactions for the City's annual budget of approximately $329 million and manages an investment portfolio of over $200 million.
The City of Huntington Beach operates with 15 departments. Three departments are headed by elected officials (City Attorney, City Clerk, and City Treasurer). The other 12 departments report, and are accountable, to the City Administrator. . The City Administrator's office is responsible for the city's day-to-day operations and oversees city departments. The City Administrator and two Deputy City Administrators are accountable for the overall management of the city's 1,100 employees and $348 million budget. Huntington Beach's City Administrator directs and coordinates the city's day-to-day operations, and works with the elected City Attorney, City Clerk, and City Treasurer to effectively manage the city. Working closely with the City Administrator are two Deputy City Administrators
A total city budget for each year is approved by City Council. The general fund makes up about 50 percent of this budget figure. Other funds include: water, capital projects, redevelopment, internal service, transportation, debt service, refuse, and other enterprises. Projects and services are budgeted from these resources. The largest source of revenue for the general fund is property tax at $30.9 million, making up 22% of the general fund. The next two highest resources are sales tax at $26.6 million, 19% of the city's general fund, and utility tax at $19.1 million, 14% of the general fund.
The City receives 1% of the taxable sales collected on retail purchases. Sales tax is one measurement of the City's economic vitality. Car sales and the sale of auto supplies comprise the City's largest retail segment contributing to the City's sales tax base. A Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) is the tax paid by guests staying in hotels. Huntington Beach is fast becoming a destination resort area. The 10% TOT amount has increased as additional hotel and motel rooms have been added. This revenue source is expected to increase further as proposed downtown hotels and conference facilities are completed and operational.
Safety
Fire protection in Huntington Beach is provided by the Huntington Beach Fire Department. The Huntington Beach Fire Department is a modern, well-equipped force that specializes in fire fighting, emergency medical, ambulance transport, fire prevention, and environmental protection. Fire prevention is crucial in a city with major oil production facilities and ongoing commercial and industrial development. Professionally trained Fire Department firefighters and paramedics respond from all eight fire stations, helping make Huntington Beach a safer, more secure community. The voluntary FireMed Program, available to community residents, has over 26,000 households as members. FireMed provides part of the critical financial support for paramedic and ambulance services. The City sponsors a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) and has classes for volunteers to help citizens provide aid in their own neighborhoods in the event of a disaster. The Fire Department also has a cadre of volunteers including a senior's home inspection program (SHIP) that provides fire safety education to senior citizens.
Law enforcement is provided by the Huntington Beach Police Department. Huntington Beach is fortunate to have state-of-art communications and operations equipment to support the City's law enforcement efforts. Each patrol vehicle is equipped with a mobile data computer. Modern, turbine-powered police helicopters patrol the City day and night. The Police Department is staffed with well-trained, well-educated officers, and has its own full-service crime laboratory that allows for quick processing and evidence analysis. Huntington Beach is regularly included among the 15 safest communities in the United States, according to FBI statistics.
The city's lifeguards are recognized as some of the best in the world with a top notch safety record. Lifeguards patrol the 3.5-mile shoreline from dawn to dusk, 365 days a year. Lifeguard Services, a part of Huntington Beach's Marine Safety Operation, provides public safety from Beach Blvd. north to Sea Point Ave. Marine Safety Staff provides public safety through a variety of functions and responsibilities. The Ocean Lifeguard performs a vital role in providing frontline protection of life, limb, and property. Marine Safety Officers patrol and respond to ocean rescues, major medical and law enforcement incidents from their emergency vehicles and vessels. Marine Safety staffs are highly skilled experts in aquatic rescue and incident command. They are trained and equipped to respond to a variety of rescue incidents within and outside of their primary jurisdiction. This training and equipment make Marine Safety Specialized Rescue Teams a valuable resource for the city, and to other agencies requesting mutual aid assistance.
City Services
Voting - All United States citizens 18 years or older who have established residency in the city for at least 30 days are eligible to vote. To be eligible to vote in a particular election, voters must be registered at least 30 days prior to an election. Voters must re-register upon change of address. The City Clerk's Office, located on the second floor of City Hall at 2000 Main Street has voter registration forms available for the public. Residents can pick one up in person, or contact the office by phone at (714) 536-5227 and request that the form is mailed. Once the registration form is received, simply take a few minutes to fill it out and drop it in the mail. Voter registration is also available on the Orange County Registrar of Voters website at www.oc.ca.gov/election.
Communications - Four newspapers generally cover the Huntington Beach community: The Orange County Register, The Los Angeles Times, the weekly Huntington Beach Independent, and the weekly Huntington Beach Wave. The Huntington Beach Independent regularly publishes the official public notices for the City of Huntington Beach. HBTV-3, a city operated government channel, broadcasts City Council and Planning Commission meetings. Commercial radio, television, telephone, and Internet connections are widely available.
Health Care - Several medical clinics and a full service hospital are located in Huntington Beach. The Huntington Beach Hospital is a 133-bed facility centrally located in the city on Beach Boulevard. Medical centers, doctor, and dental offices are located throughout the community and serve a wide variety of specialties. The Huntington Beach Community Clinic and Dental Offices help meet the medical and dental needs for uninsured or low-income residents.
Animal Control - Animal Care Services promotes responsible pet ownership; health and safety of people and animals; and spay/neuter programs. The Animal Care Center provides temporary shelter and medical care for "lost" owned or stray animals and opportunities for adoption of these animals. Animal Care Services is a division of Orange County Health Care Agency. Animal Care Services provides pet licensing and patrol services to 19 contract cities, including Huntington Beach, and all the unincorporated areas of Orange County. Animal Care Services Care Center houses and provides medical care for impounded dogs, cats and exotic animals. Adoption services are also available. Animal Care Services is located at 561 The City Drive South, Orange, CA 92868. You can reach Animal Control Services at (714) 935-6848.
Utilities - Utilities in the City of HB include: Southern Edison Company, Southern California Gas Company, Municipal Water, Verizon Telephone and Video, and Time Warner Cable.
Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) - The nearest DMV offices are located in Costa Mesa and Westminster. Services provided by DMV offices include Vehicle Registration, Driver License and Information (ID) Card Processing. Generally, DMV offices are open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 8am to 5pm and Wednesday 9am to 5pm. Many DMV offices are open one Saturday per month from 8am-noon. For faster service, make an appointment online at www.dmv.ca.gov, or by calling 1-800-921-1117 or 1- 800-777-0133 before you visit a DMV office. To schedule a driving test appointment, you must call 1-800-777-0133 between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm PST and speak to a DMV representative.
Post Office - United States Post Services has several offices in Huntington Beach including: 316 Olive Ave., 92648; 6771 Warner Ave., 92647; and 7328 Center Ave., 92605. For more information or locations, call 1-800-ASK-USPS or visit www.usps.com
Social Security Office - The Social Security Office for the City of Huntington Beach is located at SOCIAL SECURITY, SUITE B, 17075 Newhope Street, Fountain Valley, CA 92708. For hours and services, contact the office at 1-800-772-1213 or visit their website at www.ssa.gov.
Huntington Beach Chamber of Commerce -- The Huntington Beach Chamber of Commerce is a strong business leader in the community. The Huntington Beach Chamber is intrinsically involved in the plans, strategies, programs, and services that promote a favorable business climate, improve the quality of life, and support orderly growth and development. The Chamber has over 1,000 members and promotes these businesses through ribbon cuttings, networking events, community events, marketing, and other services. For more information call (714) 536-8888 or visit their website at www.hbchamber.org.
Huntington Beach Small Business Assistance Center -- The Huntington Beach Small Business Assistance Center (HBSBAC) goal is to provide entrepreneurs with an overview of management, marketing, and financial information and resources necessary to compete in today's challenging business environment. The Huntington Beach SBAC assists new or existing businesses to learn more about basic business principles through seminars, one-on-one counseling, and resource materials. For more information or to schedule a free appointment with the SBAC counselor, call (714) 536-8888.
Business Development -- The City Economic Development Department's Business Development Division seeks to attract new businesses and support existing business through retention and expansion efforts. The Business Development Division works on one of the City's primary goals of maintaining a viable business environment throughout the community. The City works closely with commercial brokers, retail and industrial businesses, the Huntington Beach Chamber of Commerce, and other business organizations. For business assistance in Huntington Beach, call (714) 536-5582 or visit the comprehensive Economic Development Department website at www.hbbiz.com.
Huntington Beach Conference and Visitors Bureau -- Huntington Beach is increasingly becoming a visitor destination. There are eighteen hotels and motels in the City, including the new 517-room Hyatt Regency Resort and Spa, with accommodations in a wide budget range. The Huntington Beach Conference and Visitors Bureau plays a vital role in promoting the City. The Bureau operates a Visitors Center that handles thousands of call-in, walk-in and email inquiries every year. It publishes and distributes an annual 68-page Visitor Guide, a Meeting Planners Guide, and a four-color rack brochure available in major cities across the western U.S. The Bureau is responsible for www.surfcityusa.com, the official travel, lifestyle and entertainment website for the City, including the most comprehensive Calendar of Events listing of HB special events available anywhere in the world. The Bureau also is responsible for advertising and public relations programs aimed at generating overnight guests coming to Huntington Beach, funded entirely by a special Business Improvement District assessment. For more information call (714) 969-3492 or visit www.surfcityusa.com.
Houses of Worship - All of the major religious affiliations are represented in Huntington Beach in over 50 houses of worship. The Greater Huntington Beach Interfaith Council (GHBIC) represents all faiths and religions who come together to host special events, such as the Annual Procession of Lights, and other gatherings.
County Government
The City of Huntington Beach is located within Orange County, CA. The mission statement for Orange County reads: Making Orange County a safe, healthy, and fulfilling place to live, work, and play, today and for generations to come, by providing outstanding, cost-effective regional public services. Popularly known as the OC, Orange County is a top business and leisure destination located in the heart of Southern California between Los Angeles County and San Diego County.
The Orange County Board of Supervisors oversees the management of County government and many special districts including Flood Control, Development Agency, lighting districts, county service areas and sewer maintenance districts. The five Supervisors are elected by districts to four-year terms by the citizens of Orange County. Board members serve residents in districts of different sized areas, but the areas have approximately equal population. At the beginning of each year the Board selects a Chairman and Vice Chairman. The City of Huntington Beach is represented by Vice Chairman John M. W. Moorlach, Supervisor Second District. The Supervisors' offices are located in the Hall of Administration, 333 W. Santa Ana Blvd., corner of Santa Ana Blvd. and Broadway, Santa Ana. The Orange County government website is www.ocgov.com.
State Government
The State of California is governed as a republic, with three branches of government, the executive branch consisting of the Governor of California and the other elected constitutional officers, the legislative branch consisting of the Assembly and Senate, and the judicial branch consisting of the Supreme Court of California and lower courts. The State also allows direct participation of the electorate by referendum, recall, and ratification. California's constitution is one of the longest collections of laws in the world, taking up 110 pages. Part of this length is caused by the fact that many voter initiatives take the form of a constitutional amendment. Many of the individual rights clauses in the state constitution have been construed as providing rights even broader than the Bill of Rights in the federal constitution.
California's executive branch is headed by the Governor with offices located at the State Capitol in Sacramento. The 38th California Governor is Arnold Schwarzenegger. http://www.gov.ca.gov. Lieutenant Governor John Garamendi, Secretary of State Debra Bowen, State Treasurer Bill Lockyer, Controller John Chiang, and Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. complete the remainder of the executive branch. All offices are elected separately to concurrent four-year terms. Each officer may be elected to an office a maximum of two times.
Huntington Beach is represented on the state level by the state legislature. The California State Legislature is a bicameral body consisting of the lower house California State Assembly, with 80 members, and the upper house California State Senate, with 40 members. State Senator Tom Harmon represents the City of Huntington Beach, District 35, in the State Senate. Assembly Member Jim Silva represents the City of Huntington Beach, District 67, in the State Assembly. The State Legislature meets in the California State Capitol in Sacramento.
The judicial system of California is the largest in the United States, with about 1,600 judges hearing over 8 million cases each year (with the assistance of 19,000 staff members and 400 judicial "equivalents" like commissioners and referees). In comparison, the federal judicial system has only about 840 judges. California's system is divided into three levels, with the Supreme Court and Courts of Appeal serving as appellate courts reviewing the decisions of the Superior Courts. The California Supreme Court consists of a Chief Justice and six Associate Justices, who are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the California Commission on Judicial Appointments. Justices are also ratified by the electorate at the next general election following their appointment and at the end of each twelve year term. The Supreme Court's decisions are binding on all lower state courts. The California Courts of Appeal were added to the judicial branch by a constitutional amendment in 1904. The courts are organized into six districts, the First Appellate District in San Francisco, the Second District in Los Angeles, the Third District in Sacramento, the Fourth District in San Diego the Fifth District in Fresno, and the Sixth District in San Jose. The districts are further divided into 19 divisions sitting throughout the state at nine locations, and there are 105 justices serving on the Courts. Unlike the state supreme court, the Courts of Appeal have mandatory review jurisdiction under the informal legal tradition in common law countries that all litigants are entitled to at least one appeal. Each county in California has a Superior Court that hears all civil and criminal cases. The City of Huntington Beach is represented in the Fourth District with a courthouse located in Santa Ana.
Federal Government
Above the state government, the City of Huntington Beach is also a part of the federal government of the United States. The federal government of the United States is the body that carries out the roles assigned to the federation of individual states in the U.S. Constitution. The federal government has three branches: the executive, legislative, and judicial. The President of the United States George W. Bush presides over the federal government with Vice President Dick Cheney. www.whitehouse.gov. The United States Congress is the legislative branch of the federal government. It is bicameral, comprised of the House of Representatives and the Senate. The House of Representatives consists of 435 members, each of whom represents a congressional district and serves for a two-year term. House seats are apportioned among the states by population; in contrast, each state has two Senators, regardless of population. The California State Senators for the City of Huntington Beach are Senator Barbara Boxer and Senator Dianne Feinstein Representative Dana Rohrabacher represents the City of Huntington Beach, District 46, in the House of Representatives. The City of Huntington Beach offers residents a diverse range of high quality residential options. The City offers everything from one-of-a-kind waterfront homes with private boat slips to neighborhoods of single-family residences on tree-lined streets to multi-family rental units. According to the 2005 American Community Survey from the U.S. Census Bureau, there are 73,665 housing units in Huntington Beach. In 2005, there were 44,005 owner-occupied housing units and 27,648 renter-occupied housing units. The median value of owner-occupied units was $711,000 and the median gross rent for renter-occupied units is $1,362. About 60 percent of the total housing units were built after 1970. Every year, millions of visitors and residents experience the finest of recreation in Huntington Beach. Perhaps nowhere else in the world can one experience such a multitude of diverse recreational activities within such a small geographical area: beach, harbor, wetlands, parks, equestrian center, public pier, nature center, a sports complex and more!
Nicknamed "Surf City" for its beautiful wide beaches and consistently breaking surf, Huntington Beach residents enjoy a wide variety of outdoor activities. Surfing, sailing, volleyball on the beach, fishing, tennis, golf, and many city recreation programs are available for all ages. Our community features one of the largest recreational piers in the world, public parks, riding stables and equestrian trails, a marina, a wildlife preserve, and an eight-mile biking, inline skating, jogging, and walking trail along the ocean. The crown jewel of the recreation system is the 8.5 miles of wide, spacious beaches where in the summer, large crowds gather to watch the U.S Open of Surfing, AVP Pro Beach Volleyball, Hello Kitty Boardfest and other sporting events.
Beaches
Operated by the city, Huntington City Beach is one of the best beaches on the west coast, extremely popular with surfers. Home to the longest recreational pier in the state, the landmark HB Pier is located at the heart of Downtown. Originally built in 1904 and rebuilt most recently during the early 1990’s, it is the longest concrete municipal pier in CA. Stretching 1,856 feet into the Pacific Ocean, it is a favorite spot for fisherman, families and romantics who flock here daily to enjoy the “million-dollar” sunsets. For more than a century, the Pier has been an iconic coastal symbol. Surfers can always been seen from the Pier since surfing still remains one of the most popular activities at Huntington City Beach. The waves here have a unique natural effect caused by edge-diffraction of ocean swells by the island of Catalina. Because of the curve of the coastline at Huntington Beach, the beach actually faces southwest. This beach is also very popular for kite surfing. Throughout the year, numerous activities are held on the beach including surf and other sport competitions and community events. Dog Beach is a part of Huntington City Beach. This area of the beach is dog-friendly and a paradise for dog owners. It is not unusual to see a dog and his owner tandem surfing.
The northern and southern beaches, Bolsa Chica State Beach and Huntington State Beach, respectively, are state parks. Only the central beach, Huntington City Beach, is maintained by the city. The Bolsa Chica State Beach is located across Pacific Coast Highway from the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve. Bolsa Chica’s surf is mellow and rolling with consistently ride-able waves, making it a perfect place for beginners. Huntington State Beach is very popular with families. More than 600 fire rings are available on the city and state beaches for nightly bonfires, a favorite activity among Huntington Beach locals.
Central Park
Central Park is one of the largest city parks in Southern California and home to many of the city’s major attractions and a pair of inviting restaurants. Boasting an expansive 354 acres punctuated with mature trees, rolling lawns and placid lakes, Central Park is the region’s largest and most diverse greenbelts. The park is vegetated with native plants and wildlife. Thick forests encircling the park are supplemented with Australian trees, particularly eucalyptus.
The Huntington Beach Central Library and Cultural Center is located in Central Park, which houses almost a half-million volumes, as well as a theater, gift shop and fountains. The park is also home to the Huntington Central Park Equestrian Center, a top class boarding facility that offers horse rentals to the public, with 25 acres of public bridle trails, guided trail rides, and a riding school. The world’s second oldest disc (Frisbee) golf course is available in the park as well and has been touted as the most beautiful course of its kind in Southern California. The Sports Complex, which provides 45-acres of recreation including eight softball fields overlaid with an equal number of soccer and seven batting cages, is another popular feature of Central Park. Adventure Playground for kids, the Huntington Beach Playhouse, and the Donald D. Shipley Nature Center, an 18-acre forest that for the past 25 years has remained a wild and natural area for native wildlife, can all be found within Central Park.
Huntington Harbour
Huntington Harbour offers serenity, abundant wildlife and calm waters. The Harbour is comprised of five man-made islands bounded by a network of navigable channels and the land surrounding them. The Harbour is home to multi-million dollar homes and serves as a pleasure craft port. This area is very popular for sport fishing, private charters, electric boat rentals and kayaking. Huntington Harbour is also home to the Annual Cruise of Lights, a series of narrated evening cruises during the winter holidays when the area is decorated with festive decorations and elaborate lights. The County of Orange runs Sunset Marina Park next to Huntington Harbour and is part of Anaheim Bay.
Bolsa Chica Ecological Preserve
Between Downtown and Huntington Harbour lies a large marshy wetland, much of which is protected within the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve. A $110 million restoration of the wetlands was completed in 2006. The Bolsa Chica Wetlands contain numerous trails and scenic routes. The wetlands themselves have recently been connected with the ocean again, in an effort to maintain its previous, unaltered conditions. The Reserve is popular with bird watchers and photographers. Great blue herons and snowy egret stake their majestic place among the nearly 200 species of birds that can be seen at the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve. The Ecological Reserve also features an Interpretive Center for visitors.
Special Events
The City of Huntington Beach offers activities year-round to visitors and residents alike. A recent Los Angeles Times article noted the Huntington Beach Farmers Market and Craft Fair “…enjoys the most beautiful location of any market in the Southland-right along the beach.” Located at Pier Plaza at Main Street and Pacific Coast Highway, the Farmers Market and Craft Fair is open Friday afternoons from 1:00 to 6:00 PM (or sunset, depending on the season) and features a wide variety of freshly-picked fruits and vegetables, flowers and more. The Arts and Crafts feature over 60 booths of handmade items, ranging from candles and soaps to jewelry to art to clothing. Residents and visitors alike stroll through the Farmers Market and Craft Fair for the constantly-changing offerings.
The city holds the oldest Independence Day Parade in the western United States. This is televised locally on the public access cable channel, HBTV-3. In 2004, Huntington Beach celebrated the 100 year anniversary of the 4th of July Parade.
Huntington Beach plays host to numerous other annual events. Every summer, Huntington Beach hosts the World Surfing Championships and the U.S. Open of Surfing, the largest surfing competition in the world, which drew 100,000 people its final day in 2005. The AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tournament is also held on the beach each year. Huntington Beach holds an Annual Cruise of Lights Boat Tour every winter holiday. This is a parade of colorful lighted boats through the Huntington Harbour bayside neighborhood. In late February, kite fliers flock to the Annual Kite Party. Professional kite fliers hold demonstrations and kite fliers of all skills come and show off their varied and amazing kites. Huntington Beach is also the host city of the National Professional Paintball League Super 7 Paintball Championships. The NPPL holds its first event of the year traditionally in March. Other annual events include the Huntington Beach Pier’s Polar Plunge on Jan. 1; Miss Huntington Beach Scholarship Pageant; Easter Hunt; Duck-A-Thon, Concours d’Elegance; Surf City 5K Run; City of Huntington Beach Distance Derby; Huck Finn Fishing Derby; Civil War Reenactment; SoCal Independent Film Festival; Senior Saturday Community Festival; Oktoberfest; Running for the Birds 5K/10K Run; Main Street Halloween Celebration; and New Year’s Eve Senior Ballroom Dance.
The City of Huntington Beach holds monthly events including Ballroom Dance run by the Huntington Beach Council on Aging, Bolsa Chica Wetlands Tour, and Huntington Beach Disc Golf Tournament. Some events are held every week as well. These include a Farmer’s Market and Art-A-Faire, Saturday Sunrise Car Cruisers, Surf City Nights Street Fair, and a Swap Meet at Golden West College. Huntington City Beach is a 3.5-mile stretch of pristine shoreline. Popularly known as "Surf City," Huntington Beach is home to the world famous municipal pier, and is a west coast surf mecca for more than 8 million annual visitors. Whether enjoying an evening at one of our fire pits or enjoying a day at a professional sporting event such as the U.S. Open of Surfing, "Surf City" offers a variety of exceptional, recreational, cultural, and entertainment opportunities. The City of Huntington Beach has 1,121 lane miles of public streets and has easy freeway access to Los Angeles International Airport, John Wayne Orange County Airport, and Long Beach Airport. The city also offers bus service and rail freight service. The ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles are located less than 20 miles away from the city and provide shipping and travel services.
The Transportation Division of the Department of Public Works is responsible for providing a safe and efficient transportation system within the City of Huntington Beach that supports a balanced use of vehicular, pedestrian, transit and bicycle activity while servicing the residential, commercial and industrial needs of the community. This includes oversight of the design and maintenance of all traffic control devices and pole lighting on City property, sign, marking, signal, and lighting maintenance, traffic signal operation, lighting, and the bus shelter program.
Traffic safety and control is enforced by the Traffic/Aero Bureau of the Huntington Beach Police Department. The primary function of the Traffic/Aero Bureau is to provide for safe movement of traffic within the City of Huntington Beach. This bureau also includes School Crossing Guards.
Highways – The major highways in Huntington Beach are Pacific Coast Highway (Highway 1) on the coast connecting the beach cities, the San Diego Freeway (I-405) connecting with all other major freeways in Southern California, and Beach Boulevard (Highway 39) running directly through the heart of Huntington Beach. The Pacific Coast Highway is also a national scenic byway and one of the most unique highways in America, stretching from San Diego through Huntington Beach past San Francisco. Bordering the city and state beaches as it runs through the City of Huntington Beach, this highway is recognized by Congress in the National Scenic Byways Program of the Federal Highway Administration as an “All-American Road” and is designated as a Scenic Highway by the State of California.
Airports – John Wayne Airport (20 minutes), Long Beach Airport (30 minutes), and Los Angeles International Airport (45 minutes) serve Huntington Beach and the greater Orange County area.
Bus – Regional bus service is offered through the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA). There are nine routes currently in Huntington Beach. Major bus lines, such as Greyhound and Trailways, also provide transportation to the area.
Rail – For passenger service, Amtrak stations are located in Santa Ana and Anaheim, each approximately 20 minutes away. The Union Pacific Railroad serves the City’s Gothard Street with freight transportation to this industrial corridor that forms the central spine of the community. This rail service permits direct line shipment to the Midwest and Northwest.
Seaports – The Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles are located 18 miles northwest and provide worldwide access to the global marketplace. The Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles are committed to promoting maritime commerce and international trade. The residents of Huntington Beach are represented by a seven member, part-time City Council. The City Council establishes policies and priorities for the provision of effective and efficient municipal services. The City Council is the city’s legislative authority and sets the policies under which the city operates. The City Council’s duties include establishing goals and policies, enacting legislation, adopting the city’s operating budget, and appropriating the funds necessary to provide service to the city’s residents, businesses, and visitors.
Huntington Beach’s mayor is selected annually from among the City Council Members and is charged with running the City Council meetings and representing the city throughout the community and region. With miles of pristine beaches, ideal weather, a welcoming attitude, and a wide variety of entertainment options, Huntington Beach draws over 11 million visitors to the city each year. Huntington Beach, known as Surf City, due to its abundance of beaches; sunny, warm mediterranean climate; local surfing; and casual lifestyle, is a perfect vacation experience for both young and old.
Huntington Beach has consistently received recognition for being one of the best vacation spots in the U.S.
- "Number One Family Surf Beach in the U.S." -Dr. Stephen "Dr. Beach" Leatherman (2004)
- "One of the Top Five Destinations for Teenagers and Their Parents"-the New York Post (2004)
- "One of the Top Five Permanent Vacation Spots in the United States of America"-Location Inc. (one of the largest neighborhood-matching databases) (2003)
Boasting a comfortable climate throughout the year with a temperature that rarely gets above 90 degrees and seldom sees rainfall, visitors can take part in the many outdoor activities Huntington Beach offers. Our community features one of the larges recreational piers in the world, public parks, riding stables and equestrian trails, a marina, a wildlife preserve, and an eight-mile biking, inline skating, jogging, and walking trail along the ocean. The crown jewel of the recreation system is the 8.5 miles of wide, spacious beaches where in the summer, large crowds gather to watch the U.S Open of Surfing, AVP Pro Beach Volleyball, Van's World Championship of Skateboarding and other sporting events.
Visitors to Huntington Beach have a wide variety to choose from when planning their vacation. Huntington Beach has a variety of hotel accommodations ranging from dazzling, deluxe oceanfront resort properties to budget motels. There is a wide range of dining options, with hundreds of restaurants offering everything from casual to fine dining. Shoppers will find paradise in stores that range from local shops and boutiques to national chains and department stores. The city is centrally located to all major attractions in Orange County including Disney Resorts, the Orange County Performing Arts Center and Repertory Theater, and the Long Beach Aquarium of the Pacific. Los Angeles is located 35 miles to the northwest and San Diego is 95 miles to the southeast. Huntington Beach is conveniently located near three airports: John Wayne/Orange County (SNA), Long Beach (LGB), and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Huntington Beach's coastline spans eight miles, starting with the west-side Huntington State Beach, called Bolsa Chica State Beach, followed by Huntington City Beach near the downtown area and Huntington State Beach on the east side. All of the beaches open at 6 a.m. and close at 10 p.m. Huntington Beach PierLocated at the intersection of the Pacific Coast Highway and Main Street, the pier is the longest concrete municipal pier in California. It was rebuilt and opened July, 1992. Bolsa Chica Ecological ReserveOccupying 300 acres of preserved wetlands, this coastal salt marsh is home to a variety of birds and animal species, some of which are on the endangered list. The ecological reserve is free to the public during daylight hours and is located on the Pacific Coast Highway between Golden West and Warner Avenue. For more information, call (714) 846-1114.
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California Cities, Beaches and Communities| Travel Guide Includes Hotels
California Beach Cities Vacation Travel Guide features California Beaches highlighted and arranged broadly by county from south to north. To help plan your beach vacation, here are some facts: There are 58 counties in California, 478 incorporated cities and approx. 118 cities with beaches on the 1000-mile coast and Pacific Ocean.
A to R Selected California Cities by County
S to Z California Cities by County Alphabetical
ALAMEDA COUNTY population is approx. 1,500,000. Incorporated on June 6th, 1853. ALAMEDA. County seat, Oakland. Created March 25, 1853. The word Alameda is derived from alamo the Spanish name for cottonwood or poplar tree. acgov.org
Alameda
Albany
Berkeley
Dublin
Emeryville
Fremont
Hayward
Livermore
Newark
Oakland
Piedmont
Pleasanton
San Leandro
Union City
Hotels
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY was incorporated in 1850 as one of the original 27 counties of the State of California. It is one of the nine counties in the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Area with a population close to 1,003,900. (Gray link -No Beach)
Antioch
Brentwood
Clayton
Concord
Danville
El Cerrito
Hercules
Knightsen
Lafayette
Martinez
Moraga
Pinole
Pleasant Hill
Pittsburg
Oakley
Orinda
Richmond
San Ramon
San Pablo
Walnut Creek
Hotels
EL DORADO COUNTY was created February 18, 1850. El Dorado means "the gilded one" in Spanish, referred in the 16th century to a mythical Indian chief covered with gold dust during religious rites. James W. Marshall discovered gold at Coloma in January 1848. eldorado.ca.us
Placerville
South Lake Tahoe
beach on lake
Hotels
ELK GROVE
FOLSOM
Top Hotels
RANCHO CORDOVA
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE
HUMBOLDT COUNTY county seat is Eureka. Created May 12, 1853. In 1850, Douglas Ottinger and Hans Buhne entered the bay, naming it Humboldt in honor of the great naturalist and world explorer, Baron Alexander von Humboldt. www.co.humboldt.ca.us
Arcata
Eureka
Fernbridge
Ferndale
Fields Landing
Garberville
Loleta
Lost Coast
McKinleyville
Redcrest
Samoa
Weott
Woodley Island
Hotels
KERN COUNTY
Bakersfield
LAKE COUNTY
Lakeport Hotels LAKEPORT
LOS ANGELES COUNTY is California's largest county with over 10 million people. Universal Studios Hollywood, Los Angeles Zoo, Port of Los Angeles Cruises, Getty Museum, Studio Tours, Rodeo Drive shops, Hollywood sign. LOS ANGELES Created 1850. The words los angeles mean "the angels". co.la.ca.us Historical Landmarks
Los Angeles County Cities-Beaches (Gray link -No Beach)
Agoura Hills
Altadena
Arcadia
Belmont Shore
Beverly Hills
Burbank
Calabasas
Carson
Catalina Island
Culver City
Dockweiler Beach
Glendale
Hermosa Beach
Hollywood
Inglewood
Long Beach
Los Angeles
Malibu
Manhattan Beach
Marina del Rey
Monrovia
Naples
Palos Verdes Estates
Paradise Cove
Pasadena
Playa del Rey
Pomona
Rancho Palos Verdes
Redondo Beach
Reseda
Rodeo Drive
San Marino
Santa Monica
San Pedro
Sherman Oaks
Signal Hill
Torrance
Universal City
Venice Beach
West Hollywood
Westlake Village
Top Hotels
AVALON
BEVERLY HILLS
CATALINA
HERMOSA BEACH
HOLLYWOOD
LONG BEACH
LOS ANGELES
MALIBU
MANHATTAN BEACH
MARINA DEL REY
PASADENA
REDONDO BEACH
SAN PEDRO
SANTA MONICA
TORRANCE
VENICE
WEST HOLLYWOOD
MARIN was created on Feb. 18, 1850. The origin of its name was was possibly derived from Chief Marin of the Licatiut tribe of Indians who inhabited that section and waged fierce battle against Spanish explorers. co.marin.ca.us
Corte Madera
Dogtown
Sausalito
Point Reyes Station
Tomales
Hotels
MENDOCINO was created on Feb. 18, 1850. The county seat is Ukiah. Its name honors either Antonio de Mendoza, Viceroy of New Spain or Lorenzo Suarez de Mendoza, Viceroy from 1580 to 1583.
Albion
Anchor Bay
Boonville
Elk
Gualala
Little River
Point Arena
Mendocino
Willits
Hotels
FORT BRAGG
LITTLE RIVER
MENDOCINO
UKIAH
MONO COUNTY
Lee Vining (Mono Lake)
Mammoth Lakes
MONTEREY COUNTY is 3rd in state for agriculture. Big Sur, Monterey Bay Aquarium & Cannery Row, Steinbeck Museum, Pebble Beach Golf, Art are attractions. MONTEREY Created 1850. Historical Landmarks From the Spanish words monte and rey, it means "king of the forest." Named by Sebastian Vizcaino in 1602, in honor of the Conde de Monterey, Viceroy of New Spain. co.monterey.ca.us
Ragged Point
Gorda Springs
Limekiln SP
Lucia
Big Sur
Nepenthe
Bixby Creek
Carmel-by-the-Sea
Pebble Beach
Pacific Grove
Monterey
Seaside
Sand City
Marina
Soledad
Salinas
Castroville
Moss Landing
Top Hotels
BIG SUR
CARMEL
CARMEL VALLEY
MARINA
MONTEREY
PACIFIC GROVE
SEASIDE
NAPA was created on February 18, 1850. Napa is of Indian derivation and may be derived from the Patwin word napo meaning house. Known as California Wine country, along with Somona County. (707) 253-4421 co.napa.ca.us
American Canyon
Calistoga
Napa
Rutherford
Yountville
Hotels
CALISTOGA
NAPA
RUTHERFORD
SAINT HELENA
YOUNTVILLE
NEVADA COUNTY
Grass Valley Hotels
ORANGE COUNTY is home to Disneyland - Anaheim, Knotts Berry Farm, Wax Museum -Buena Park, Mission San Juan Capistrano, South Coast Plaza, Performing Arts Center -Costa Mesa, ORANGE Created 1889 and named for extensive orange groves. www.oc.ca.gov Historical Landmarks
Orange County
Aliso Beach
Anaheim
Balboa Island
Little Balboa Island
Bolsa Chica SB
Buena Park
Corona del Mar
Costa Mesa
Crystal Cove
Capistrano Beach
Dana Point
Doheny Beach
El Morro
Fullerton
Fountain Valley
Garden Grove
Huntington Beach
Irvine
La Habra
Lake Forest
Laguna Niguel
Laguna Beach
Los Alamitos
Mission Viejo
Newport Beach
Orange
Placentia
Rossmoor
San Clemente
San Juan Capistrano
Santa Ana
Seal Beach
Stanton
Sunset Beach
Surfside
Trabuco Canyon
Westminster
Yorba Linda
Top Hotels
ANAHEIM
BUENA PARK
CAPISTRANO BEACH
COSTA MESA
DANA POINT
GARDEN GROVE
HUNTINGTON BEACH
IRVINE
LAGUNA BEACH
NEWPORT BEACH
NEWPORT COAST
ORANGE
SAN CLEMENTE
SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO
SANTA ANA
SEAL BEACH
SUNSET BEACH
PLACER COUNTY
Auburn
Dutch Flat
Loomis
Roseville
Hotels
SACRAMENTO COUNTY, home to California State Capitol and Historic Old Town Sacramento, Train Museum, Sutter's Fort, State Indian Museum. SACRAMENTO created in 1850; signifies "Sacrament" or "Lord's Supper." www.co.sacramento.ca.us Historical Landmarks
Fair Oaks
Freeport
Galt
Rancho Cordova
Sacramento
Hotels
SAN DIEGO COUNTY shares a border with Mexico. San Diego is California's top beach vacation destination. Historic Old Town, Balboa Park, Sea World, Zoo, Wild Animal Park, Mission, Point Loma Lighthouse, Star of India, Tijuana, Scripps Aquarium, La Jolla, Legoland. SAN DIEGO- Created 1850. Named in honor of San Diego de Alcala de Henares. Historical Landmarks co.san-diego.ca.us
Alpine
Borrego Springs
Cardiff
Carlsbad
Chula Vista
Coronado
Del Mar
Encinitas
Fallbrook
Imperial Beach
La Jolla
Leucadia
Mission Beach
Ocean Beach
Oceanside
Pacific Beach
San Diego
Silver Strand
Solana Beach
Swami's Beach
Tourmaline Beach
Windansea Beach
HOTELS
CARLSBAD
CHULA VISTA
CORONADO
DEL MAR
ENCINITAS
ESCONDIDO
LA JOLLA
LA MESA
OCEANSIDE
SAN DIEGO
SOLANA BEACH
SAN FRANCISCO Created 1850. The sixth mission in California was established by Padre Junipero Serra on October 9, 1776, and was named Mission San Francisco de Asis a la Laguna de los Dolores (Saint Francis of Assisi at the Lagoon of Sorrows). The mission is now known as "Mission Dolores." Web Site:ci.sf.ca.us Historical Landmarks
San Francisco Hotels
SAN FRANCISCO
SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY County seat, Stockton. Created February 18, 1850. Named for San Joaquin River. (meaning Saint Joachim)
Lathrop
Lodi
Stockton
SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY on Central Coast California with 3,326 square miles. Hearst Castle -San Simeon, Elephant Seals -Piedras Blancas, wineries, Cambria, shopping. SAN LUIS OBISPO Historical Landmarks Created 1850. Name comes from the mission. SLOCounty.org
San Luis Obispo County Cities & Beaches
Arroyo Grande
Atascadero
Avila Beach
Baywood Park
Cambria
Cayucos
Grover Beach
Halcyon
Harmony
Los Osos/
Morro Bay
Nipomo
Oceano
Paso Robles
Piedras Blancas
Pismo Beach
San Luis Obispo
San Simeon
Shell Beach
Templeton
Whale Rock Reservoir
Hotels
ARROYO GRANDE
ATASCADERO
AVILA BEACH
CAMBRIA
GROVER BEACH
MORRO BAY
PASO ROBLES
PISMO BEACH
SAN LUIS OBISPO
SAN SIMEON
SAN MATEO COUNTY contains San Francisco International Airport, wealthy communities, Silicon Valley influences and pristine beaches with giant 60-foot surfing waves at Mavericks.
San Mateo County
Devil's Slide
Half Moon Bay
Hillsborough
Moss Beach
Pacifica
Pescadero Beach
Pigeon Point
Rockaway Beach
South San Francisco
San Carlos
San Mateo County
Woodside
Hotels
SANTA BARBARA COUNTY is located on the Central Coast. 2,745 square miles. Historical Landmarks Missions, wineries, Danish -Solvang, Sand Dunes Split Pea Soup -Buellton. SANTA BARBARA Created 1850. Named after Mission Santa Barbara. co.santa-barbara.ca.us
Ballard
Buellton
Carpinteria
Casmalia
El Capitan
Gaviota
Goleta
Guadalupe
Lompoc
Los Alamos
Los Olivos
Orcutt
Oso Flaco
Rincon Point
Santa Barbara
Santa Maria
Santa Ynez
Solvang
Summerland
Surf Beach
Vandenberg
Hotels
BUELLTON
CARPINTERIA
GOLETA
LOMPOC
SANTA BARBARA
SANTA MARIA
SOLVANG
SUMMERLAND
SANTA CLARA "Silicon Valley," comprises 1,316 sq. miles. Santa Clara County created 1850 and named after Mission Santa Clara established in 1777. The mission was named for Saint Clara of Assisi, Italy. The name Clara means "clear" or "bright." www.santaclaracounty.org Historical Landmarks
Gilroy
Morgan Hill
Palo Alto
San Jose
Stanford
Hotels
SANTA CRUZ created 1850, named Branciforte, then changed to Santa Cruz. Santa Cruz Mission destroyed by earthquake in 1857, rebuilt in 1931. Santa Cruz means "holy cross." Monterey Bay Marine Sanctuary is popular surfing spot. co.santa-cruz.ca.us Historical Landmarks
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY
Aptos
Capitola
Davenport
Felton
Henry Cowell Redwoods
Natural Bridges SB
New Brighton SB
Opal Cliffs -Privates Beach
Sand Hill Bluff
Santa Cruz
Scotts Valley
Seabright Beach
Waddell Beach
Walton Lighthouse
Watsonville
Hotels
APTOS
CAPITOLA
SANTA CRUZ
SCOTTS VALLEY
WATSONVILLE
SHASTA was created February 18, 1850 and was named after Mount Shasta, the English equivalent for the name of an Indian tribe that once lived in the area. County seat is Redding. Population of Shasta County is: 169,200. The form of government: General Law. www.co.shasta.ca.us Historical Landmarks
Anderson
Burney
O'Brien
Redding
Shasta
Shasta Lake
Hotels
SOLANO COUNTY mid-way between San Francisco & Sacramento, bordered by Napa, Yolo, Sacramento and Contra Costa Counties. Formed in 1850. County seat, Fairfield. General Vallejo named county for Chief Solano, ruler of tribes. co.solano.ca.us
Benicia
Dixon
Fairfield - Jelly Belly
Rio Vista
Suisun
Vacaville
Vallejo - Mare Island
Hotels
FAIRFIELD
VALLEJO
SONOMA COUNTY Population: 472,7000 Historical Landmarks
Bodega Bay
Cloverdale
Cotati
Duncans Mill
Fort Ross
Guerneville beach on river
Johnsons Beach beach on river
Marshall
Monte Rio beach on river
Petaluma
Santa Rosa
Sea Ranch
Sebastopol
Sonoma
Hotels
BODEGA
BODEGA BAY
HEALDSBURG
PETALUMA
SANTA ROSA
SONOMA
TUOLUMNE COUNTY was created in 1850. The name is of Indian origin. Historical Landmarks
Gold Country
Tuolumne
Hotels
VENTURA features Channel Islands National Marine Park, Perry Mason, mission, factory outlets. VENTURA Landmarks Created in 1782 when Mission San Buenaventura was founded. Buenaventura means "good fortune." www.ventura.org
Camarillo
Channel Islands
La Conchita
Mussel Shoals
Oxnard
Point Mugu
Port Hueneme
Ventura
Hotels
CAMARILLO
FILLMORE
OJAI
OXNARD
PORT HUENEME
VENTURA
SIMI VALLEY
THOUSAND OAKS
YOLO COUNTY POPULATION: 176,300 , INCORPORATION DATE: 1850
YOLO. County seat, Woodland. Created February 18, 1850. In the original act of 1850 the name was spelled "Yola, which is an Indian tribal name Yo-loy meaning "a place abounding in rushes".
Davis - Mondavi Center
West Sacramento
Winters
Woodland
Hotels
YUBA COUNTY
Marysville
More about California cities, towns and destinations:
There are also many cities with beaches at lakes such as Big Bear Lake and Lake Tahoe. Some of the largest, wealthiest cities in the USA and biggest public beaches are in California. Helping plan great beach vacations is our Number 1 goal so we've expanded to include historical destinations such as Gold Country, mountain resorts, desert attractions and theme parks such as Disneyland, SeaWorld and Universal Studios Hollywood. We've also visited many hotels, dined on great meals and taken pictures and written reviews of these delicious experiences. Take a look at our beach photos and California pictures to find out why it's so tempting to take a vacation or plan a trip in California. Because of its long, thin shape, most beaches are accessible within a day's drive. Beach California website has spent a decade bringing the best beaches and vacation destinations in the world to you and we hope you'll find the experience useful. When planning your vacation, you can also find an alphabetic cities and beaches list.
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