We’re headed into Memorial Day Weekend at Huntington Beach… or you may know it by it’s official title, Surf City USA, yep, is actually trademarked! We share what makes this beach town better than others and how to plan the perfect visit.
HANG TEN IN HUNTINGTON BEACH
There are beach towns, and then there is Huntington Beach. World-class waves, 8.5 miles of uninterrupted beach, a world-famous pier, and a surf culture that dates back over a century. Plus the town hosts some of the biggest events on the West Coast calendar, including the US Open of Surf.
The moment that you cruise down Pacific Coast Highway with the ocean coming into view, you understand exactly why. The energy here is unlike anywhere else on the California coast. It’s laid-back and lively all at once, the kind of pace where a full family day can stretch from early morning surf sessions, all the way to a bonfire on the sand after sunset. The Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort & Spa sits right on Pacific Coast Highway, directly on the sand, so guests are in the middle of all of it without having to go looking for it. In fact the resort has it’s own private pedestrian sky bridge to the sand (only one of it’s kind in California) and a beach hut to get all dialed in for a day in the sun. At the Beach Hut, guests pick up complimentary umbrellas, chairs, and towels. From there, it’s surf lessons, beach bonfires, or sand service. Yes, they’ll bring lunch to your spot on the beach.
Whether you are making a quick day trip or turning it into a full summer getaway, Huntington Beach delivers every single time.
SPLASH INTO FAMILY FUN
If you are going to do Huntington Beach, you have to do it right. The Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort & Spa has that beautiful Spanish-inspired architecture with ocean views from nearly every angle, and the amenities are amazing for families. Deluxe hotel accommodations offer furnished patios with private fire pits and two- and three-bedroom suites are available for multi-generational families with plenty of space for all. Our kids love Slyder’s Water Playground, which features three waterslides, splash pools, and a shallow wading area. After dark, the fun continues with Cosmic Slides turning the Slyders Water Playground into a nighttime experience with lasers and fog machines. Dive-In Movie Nights screen films poolside with complimentary s’mores. There’s even a full mermaid program with swim lessons, little ones’ playdates, and a mermaid fitness class for adults.
Lounge by the lagoon-style pool with a tropical cocktail, grab poolside bites from Mankota’s, or splurge on a private cabana for the day. The resort also has fire pits on the beach, two full-service restaurants, and a spa for the adults who are overdue for a little recharge. The family suites are an especially great choice if you are travelling with little ones, with enough space to spread out and settle in.
Pacific Waters Spa is a genuine destination. Twenty thousand square feet, 17 treatment rooms, and technology you’d normally only find in a clinical or elite sports setting. The Evolt 360 Body Composition Analyzer captures 40-plus biometrics in 60 seconds and builds your entire treatment plan around what your body actually needs. With the Hyatt as your base, everything in Surf City is right at your fingertips.
STEP INTO SURF CULTURE
If your summer plans have any flexibility at all, plan them around this. The US Open of Surfing is the world’s largest surf competition and has been held in Huntington Beach every year since 1959, drawing the top athletes from around the globe. Featuring nine full days of world-class surfing, it runs July 25, 2026, through August 2, 2026. The event takes place on the south side of the Huntington Beach Pier and is completely free and open to the public. Beyond the surfing itself, the event is a full-blown festival with gear customization workshops, surfboard-shaping classes, skate and BMX demonstrations, live music, vendor exhibitions, and art installations. This event offers something for every age. If you plan on driving, arrive early to make parking as easy as possible. This event draws huge crowds, and the energy on the beach is unmatched. Make sure to bring hats, sunscreen, reusable water bottles, and beach umbrellas since there is very little shade on the sand. It is one of those experiences that feels bigger than just a sporting event, more like a full summer memory packed into one afternoon.
photo bar
Between sessions at the beach, make sure to carve out time for a stop at the International Surfing Museum, just a couple of blocks from the pier on Olive Avenue. The museum houses collections of rare surfing memorabilia and collectibles from iconic surfers past and present, including notable artifacts like the World’s Largest Surfboard, historic photos, Dick Dale’s guitar, and Bruce Brown’s camera used to film “Endless Summer.” Entry is donation-based, making it a great budget-friendly stop for families, and the World’s Largest Surfboard outside the museum is a free photo opportunity that kids absolutely love. The museum welcomes visitors Tuesday through Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. It is a quick visit, maybe an hour, but a stop that adds real context and culture to your Huntington Beach day, especially if you are visiting during the US Open when surf energy is at its peak.
photo bar
Right outside the museum and stretching along the sidewalk near Jack’s Surfboards is the Surfing Walk of Fame. Past inductees include legends such as Kelly Slater, Eddie Aikau, Greg Noll, and Tom Curren, with new inductees honored each year at the US Open. It is a completely free, self-guided experience that takes around 20 minutes and makes for some really fun photos. If you have kids who are starting to get into surfing or surf culture, walking them through the names is a cool way to connect the sport’s history to what you are watching in real time.
THE BEACH IS JUST THE BEGINNING
Huntington Beach is genuinely one of those places where you could fill an entire week and still not run out of things to do. The Huntington Beach Bike Trail runs along the coast and is a great way to explore with the whole family. Rent bikes and cruise with the ocean on one side and the city on the other.
Downtown Main Street is also worth a stroll for its mix of restaurants, shops, and that laid-back beach town atmosphere that makes Huntington Beach feel like a place where time moves just a little slower. Huntington Dog Beach is a favorite for families with four-legged members of the crew.
The Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve is another beautiful outdoor escape just up the PCH, a 1,300-acre saltwater marsh that is perfect for an easy morning walk before the crowds arrive. And if you are visiting in the evening, do not miss a sunset from the end of the pier.
Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort & Spa has a packed calendar year-round, which is part of what makes it a destination rather than just a place to stay. The property also sits right in the middle of Huntington Beach’s biggest cultural moments: as mentioned, the US Open of Surf in July and August, the Airshow in October, and Darker Waves in November. There’s always a reason to go, and always something happening when you’re there.
