Many things can be said about Newport Beach, CA and its surrounding areas. Tourists from all over the world visit Newport Beach to take in the sights of this one-of-a-kind beach hot spot. Most people that visit the beach come for the water and beautiful beaches, but many do not realize that Newport Beach is a shopper's dream. With such locals as Balboa Island and Fashion Island, you know you are going to have a great time. Whether you came for the island attractions or the shopping experience, Newport Beach is sure to entertain.
Go on a Shopping Spree
If you are looking for a once-in-a-lifetime shopping experience then you owe it to yourself to check out Fashion Island. The island is full of stores carrying all kinds of quality merchandise. There are over two hundred stores on Fashion Island, so there will be no shortage of selection. You may choose to take several days exploring everything Fashion Island has to offer.
Balboa Island is another perfect shopping destination in the city. Located between the Newport Beach mainland area and the popular Balboa Peninsula, this beautiful man-made island features beautiful streets lined up with over eighty art galleries, gift shops, and fine dining restaurants. There are also many street vendors selling interesting and exciting goods all over the Island area. It is accessible via a bridge or ferry services. While shopping here, you can choose to checkout Balboa village and Balboa Peninsula, two of Newport Beach city's hot-spots for fun and recreation.
Fun at the Park
There is no denying Newport Beach is home to some of the world's best waterfront parks. While visiting the city, these parks feature all kinds of fun activities for the whole family. The Corona Del Mar State Beach, for instance, is considered a perfect way to explore the beautiful beaches and engage in activities like swimming, surfing, scuba diving, beach volleyball, sunbathing and more.
Surfing
Just like the neighboring "Surf City," Newport Beach is a renowned destination for surfers around the world. It is also the perfect place for wannabe surfers to learn how to surf since the surfing spots are never overcrowded.
Some other activities include bodysurfing and bodyboarding at The Wedge, exploring the local delicacies in one of the city's 5-star restaurants, going on a whale-watching cruise and more. If you are looking for a place that has beautiful scenery and views and also provides a satisfying shopping experience then you really can't go wrong when you visit Newport Beach. There really is something for everyone at Newport Beach and the surrounding areas.
Click here for addiction treatment in Orange County
Located on the beautiful Southern California coast within Orange County, Huntington Beach, CA is a beautiful community that boasts of a rich history going back to before the coming of the European settlers who arrived here towards the end of the 18th century. The city is located a little over 30 miles from the heart of Los Angeles city and is named in honor of Henry E. Huntington, one of the richest and most influential pioneer settlers in the area. This beach city has a fast-growing population that is expected to be in excess of 200,000 people by 2020, a figure that will make Huntington Beach the most populous and fastest-growing waterfront on town in Orange County and one of the most populous cities in the local Metro-Statistical Area.
Walking down history lane, the area that came to be modern-day Huntington Beach city was originally a territory occupied by Tongva tribesmen. The European settlers didn't arrive until the mid-1780s when Spanish military man, Manuel Nieto, was granted over 300,000 acres as a reward for his service in the military and as a way of encouraging more people to settle in the Spanish colonial territory of Alta California. This land was known as Rancho Los Nietos. Even after Nieto's land was reduced to avoid disputes with Mission San Gabriel in 1790, he still owned a big stretch of land running from the Santa Ana River all the way to the current Los Angeles River and from the hilly northern part of Whittier to the Pacific Ocean.
The only notable thoroughfare that existed during the early stages of the City's development was a simple cattle route that headed right into the heart of Rancho Los Nietos. Henry E. Huntington came into the picture when the city, then under the name Pacific City, granted him enormous power in the area in exchange for access to the elusive Pacific Electric Red Car lines. This corporate sponsorship went a long way in boosting the city's development and popularity.
Prior to the discovery of oil within the city's premises in the early 1900s, Huntington Beach was a prominent agricultural community Holly Sugar being one of the main employers in the area. Upon the discovery of oil, Holly Sugar's processing plant was turned into an oil refinery. Despite the end of an era in oil production and processing, oil pumps can still be seen in various locations within what is now a prominent residential community.
Throughout its history from its era under the Spanish settlers, Huntington Beach has undergone around six name changes with the most recent ones before Huntington Beach being Pacific City, and Fairview.
Return to Coastline's homepage here.
The popularity of Huntington Beach, California comes from its many tourist attraction and friendly weather but it's worth noting that there is more to this beach community than just the great attractions and fun activities. For starters, the city has a thriving downtown business district featuring all kind of business from startups to multi-milling corporations. The city also has several other smaller commercial and industrial districts, numerous prominent neighborhoods, high-profile hotels, and well-established restaurants.
Huntington Beach real estate industry is mostly associated with the rich folk which is not always the case. However, the city does have a long list of very popular and influential people who at one point or another lived within the city's premises. Below is a list of some of the most popular people from Huntington Beach, CA and what they are known for:
Lauren German
German is a popular actress who has starred in numerous films and television productions including several high-profile movie series like CBS's Hawaii Five-0, NBC's Chicago Fire and Fox's Lucifer among others. German was born in the beautiful city of Huntington Beach in 1978 and though not one of the most decorated actresses of our time, her numerous roles in various films and television productions have made her a popular icon in her home town and the film industry at large. Lauren German still resides in her home city, Huntington Beach, in California.
Ethan Philan Randall
Popularly known as Ethan Embry, Randall is a renowned television and film actor who was born in Huntington Beach in the late 1970s. He featured prominently in Sneaky Pete as Pete Murphy, Empire Records as Mark, Vegas Vacation as "Rusty", and Once Upon a Time as Greg Mendell. He also stared in Eagle Eye, Brotherhood, and The Walking Dead among other television productions.
Eva Angelina
Commonly known by her stage name Evangeline, Angelina is a prominent adult film actress, feature dancer, and an up-and-coming real estate agent. She was born in Huntington Beach and was recently named by a popular international men's magazine as one of the top female adult film actresses of all time.
Iris Kyle
Last on the list is Iris Kyle, the most prominent bodybuilder in the history of bodybuilding and a former resident of Huntington Beach. She has recorded the most wins in bodybuilding contest during her career including being a ten-time Ms. Olympia champion, a seven-time Ms. International, and a two-time heavyweight champion. Though she is no longer a resident of Huntington Beach, she co-owns a popular local gym by the name "No Mercy."
Located on the waterfront end of Orange County in the highly coveted Southern California region, Huntington Beach (known locally as Surf City) is a renowned tourist destination and an attraction for millions of people and travel enthusiasts from around the globe. Over 15% of Huntington Beach is made up of water, making it the ideal holiday destination for anyone looking for plenty of water related activities, sandy beaches and lots of sunshine.
In addition to the picturesque beauty, the area's climate is very warm and friendly which is another top reason why so many people choose to spend their holidays here. A normal day in the city starts with refreshing breezes to gently get you out of your 'sleep mode', while the day is filled with warmth and sunshine. Apart from the physical attractions, Huntington Beach, CA is home to numerous annual and one-time events that feature lots of fun activities, delicious food, and drink varieties and unlimited entertainment. Some of the top annual events in this beautiful coastal city are listed below.
Main Street Halloween Celebration
This is one of the many annual events that many local and visiting children kids in Huntington Beach look forward to with a smile. The event takes place at the end of October and is sponsored by the city's Downtown Business Associations. Apart from the usual trick and treat-ing, this event takes the fun to a whole new level with kiddie rides and spooky festivities which feature things like a petting zoo, a moon bounce, pumpkin carving, Ferris wheel, and most importantly, the costume contests.
Oktoberfest
Just like the name suggests, Huntington Beach's Oktoberfest involves a lot of eating and drinking as the locals enjoy what is considered the most diverse Oktoberfest celebration in the planet. From imported German beer varieties to tasty German cuisine and live bands from native Germany, there is nothing not to like about this event. Beer is served by beautiful short hostesses and there are lots of fun competition including the Chicken Dance and the Beer Drinking Contests among others.
4th of July Parade & Pier Festival
This is another event that attracts thousands of people to the beach area near the pier in unified celebration. The events include a running competition, an annual 4th of July Parade, and lots of festivities around the Pier. The evening brings the much-anticipated fireworks display which turns the city's sky into a spectacle.
There are many other annual events that take place through the year including Annual Pier Swim, Summer Concerts, Huntington Beach Concours, Taste of Huntington Beach, Annual Easter Hunt and more.
Huntington Beach, CA is a beautiful waterfront city on the sunny coast of southern California. The city is popularly known as "Surf City" with surfing being one of the most popular recreational activities in the area. However, there is more to this beautiful city that just surfing. Huntington Beach is home to a fast-growing population of a little over 200,000 inhabitants and its location between San Diego and Los Angeles make it a gateway to hundreds of attraction within southern California. The city features over 8 miles of elegant sandy beaches and over 100 parks, recreational facilities and green spaces. Below are some fun activities and attractions to explore during your stay in this picturesque beach town:
Sunbathe on the beach
Huntington has unobstructed views throughout the entire length of the beach, and you can always find somewhere to relax and sunbathe as you enjoy the beautiful view of the ocean. All you have to do is drive a few blocks down the Pacific Coast Highway on either side of the pier and you can find your own bit of beach regardless of the season.
Attend local event or festival
Huntington Beach offers a lot of unique annual events that would more than fun to be part of. The Independence Day Parade on Main Street is something you should really experience. The locals go at it with the fantastic floats and display and the parade is always packed to the fullest as people seek to become part of the fun. Halloween is also another must see, the local stores all get involved and dress up for the occasion, they give out treats to the kids and make it a fun experience for everyone.
Go shopping
If shopping is your thing, you are in luck because Huntington Beach has plenty of that too. You would, of course, expect surf and sports shops, but there are many restaurants and boutiques as well as huge shopping plazas and malls. If you need a visit to the bigger chain type stores then you only have to take a short drive back down Main Street to find pretty much every shop and restaurant you have ever heard of.
If you want other things to do in the local area then there are many local Southern California attractions including Disneyland, California Adventure, Knotts Berry Farm and Soak City. There are also some big shopping malls and plazas like Fashion Island and South Coast Plaza. From enjoying unobstructed views of the ocean from the Pier and surfing in the ocean to exploring the beautiful Huntington Beach State Park, Huntington Beach City has everything you could ever wish to see or do in your vacation.