With a nickname like “Surf City, USA”, it’s easy to see why Huntington Beach is one of the most desirable places to live in California. The most populous beach city in Orange County is home to endless stretches of white sand and breathtaking blue waters. Best of all, the Southern California weather ensures that surfing is a year-round activity.
The allure of the city comes from more than just the surfing, however. A highly-regarded school district, beautiful parks, delicious restaurants, and so much more make this beachside neighborhood an ideal place to live and visit for people of all ages.
Places to see in Huntington Beach
Huntington Beach Pier – The Huntington Beach Pier is an iconic part of the city’s history. Stretching 1,850 feet into the Pacific Ocean, the pier if one of the longest on the West Coast. It was originally built in 1904, and has been rebuilt twice due to storm damage. The resilient pier is a popular spot to take in the sunset or enjoy the many pleasure of Orange County living.
Huntington State Beach – Huntington State Beach is your prototypical Orange County beach, complete with fishing, swimming, volleyball courts, basketball courts, fire pits, and some of the best swells in the area. There is something to do for beach-goers of all ages at Huntington State Beach.
International Surfing Museum – The recently renovated museum has found a perfect home in Huntington Beach. The history of the city is intertwined with the rise of surfing on the Southern California coast, and the International Surfing Museum pays homage to the defining events.
Huntington Central Park – The largest city-owned park in Orange County is home to 350 acres of native Southern California wildlife. The park attracts visitors year round to the public library, picnic area, equestrian center, and much more.
Popular Local Restaurants
Duke’s Huntington Beach – Seafood/Hawaiian Cuisine
Cucina Alessa – Classic Italian Cuisine
25 Degrees Huntington Beach – Modern American Cuisine
Sugar Shack Cafe – Breakfast Fare/Cafe
Nearby Schools
Marina High School
Ocean View High School
Edison High School
Huntington Beach High School
Golden West College
Huntington Beach Real Estate Market: The median home value in Huntington Beach is approximately $746,000 (as of November 2016), with a price per square foot of approximately $463. This is significantly higher than the average price per square foot of $389 for the rest of the Long Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim Metro area. The current housing market in Huntington Beach is neutral with a reasonable rise the past year. Since 2015, home values have risen 3.3%. Movement is expected to plateau in the next year with a forecasted rise of just 0.7% before October of 2017.
Huntington Beach Rental Market: The average rent in Huntington Beach of $2,975 is marginally higher than the average rent of $2,900 for the rest of the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim Metro area.
Demographics and More
Zip Codes: 92605, 92615, 92646, 92647, 92648, 92649
Population: Huntington Beach has a population of 189,992 as of the last available census. The median age of residents is 40.2 years old. 49.2% of residents are male while 50.8% of residents are female.
Climate: Huntington Beach is located on the coast in southern Orange County and typically has a semi-arid climate with very little change in temperature throughout the year. The coastal location causes warmer winter temperatures and cooler summer temperatures than inland cities. Temperatures rarely climb above 85 and below 40 degrees throughout the year.
Crime: The overall crime rate in Huntington Beach is 8% lower than the national average, and safer than approximately 46% of the cities in California. Safety has become a matter of discussion in the city as the number of crimes has increased by 14% from the previous year.
Demographics:
77.1% White
9.7% Hispanic
11.3% Asian
0.9% African American
Incorporated Date: February 17, 1909