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Huntington is known as “Surf City
USA”. Along with the famous Huntington Beach pier, Bolsa Chica
is one of the cities hottest surf spots. During the winter the surf
can reach up to 8-10 feet and has relatively constant ride-able waves
year round. Surfing is definitely the main activity at this beach. The
beach extends three miles from Seal Beach to Huntington Beach City Pier
and is located off the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH). |
This beach is a summer hangout, but the pace definitely slows down in
the winter. As the summer crowds and the beaches aligned with blazing
bonfires decrease, the surf picks up and the die hard surfers in wetsuits
take to the ocean waters to charge the big winter swells. Unlike its
neighboring city of Newport, surfing is allowed the entire day (no black
ball) all year long, except south of the main tower during the summer.
There is a long bike path which connects Bolsa Chica State Beach with
Huntington
State Beach, seven miles south. It is a straight shot from one point
to the other and
all along the coast. It is a mellow cycling route which allows you to
scope out the best
place to sunbath or surf. Surf fishing is also excellent at this beach
with Perch, Corbina,
Croaker, Cabezon and Sand Shark commonly caught.
Across the road from the beach is the 1,000-acre Bolsa Chica Ecological
Reserve.
Wildlife and bird watching are popular here. A 1.5 mile walking trail
circles Inner
Bolsa Bay and provides good views of the native habitat. This is a great
place to check
out a variety of diverse birds, including a couple endangered species
and some of the
local plant species. Several volunteer groups offer free tours, check
with the visitor’s
center for information.
Some of the best times to visit Huntington Beach are during the summer.
Huntington Beach has a spectacular show for the 4th of July. There is
a massive Independence Day Parade, which draws in around 250,000 people.
The US Surf Open in August is another fun time to visit. The eight day
event is televised and includes many extreme sports like: skateboarding,
inline skating, surfing competitions with some of the world's best surfers
and BMX bike competitions. It’s an action packed day out at the
beach.
There is camping available for RVs and autos (no tent camping), therefore
Bolsa Chica
offers a lot of the camping comforts required for an overnight or week
stay. There are
bathrooms, concessions with food, a paved bike path and fire rings for
barbeques.
The Spanish translation for Bolsa Chica is "little pocket".
In the 1800s it used to be a
ranch that was isolated by swamps, little pockets of dry land, and the
ocean. Today it is an open area of sandy beach and protected wildlife
which is available to all who wish to visit.
- Open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. (The entrance gates
close at 9:00 p.m.)
- No pets allowed
- No alcohol on the beach
- Parking fee $10 peak season and $8 off season
- Camping fees are $39 peak season and $34 non-peak season
- No Fire (In designated fire rings or barbeques only)
- No vehicles on the beach
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