I absolutely adore traveling, and one of my favorite road trip destinations from San Diego is Huntington Beach! Located only about an an hour and a half from San Diego, the beach city of HB boasts incredible beaches and an aura all of its own. Sparkling streets, friendly folks, good eats, and amazing beachy shopping await in this paradise (and, believe me, I don’t use that term loosely).
Here’s some insider scoop about where to stay, what to eat, and where to shop:
The Shorebreak Hotel, a luxurious yet utterly casual spot, is definitely my number one choice for hotels in HB. Located on “The Strand”, it is literally only minutes away from the beach and even closer to all the shops on Main Street.
Some photo’s:
Personally, I LOVE all the beachy extras in the rooms, shown above, and the lobby is set up as a surf enthusiasts mecca: with art + photography abounding.
During your visit, I highly recommend ordering room servicing or trying their restaurant & lounge named Zimzala. I’ve had nothing but excellence both ways!
Speaking of FOOD, one of my favorite places to eat in Huntington Beach is, without a doubt in the world, Sandy’s Beach Grill, located right on the pier.
Some of my faves here include:
Layered Seafood Cocktail
BBQ Chicken Salad
Seabass
Seared Scallops
California Cheeses & Cured Meats
When it comes to dessert, I enjoy both the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory on Main St. (chocolate strawberries are my weakness and I love to carry them out and enjoy them on the beach) & Baguetier Bakery (incredible chocolate croissants and also conveniently located on The Strand in HB).
In addition to tons of sweets, Huntington Beach has superb shopping. Now we’re not talking anything fancy, but there are plenty of super cute, casual stores located in the downtown district. My favorite of these? Diane’s Beach Wear!
I always find the best swimsuits at Diane’s and they carry some of my favorite swimwear lines, including L*Space, Vitamin A, Luli Fama, Vix, and B.Swim. In addition, they always have fun shorts, bright tops, and comfortable lounge wear.
Now, this nearly goes without saying, but Huntington Beach has one of the BEST BEACHES in California! Whether you’re into surfing or just laying out in the sun, you will definitely NOT be disappointed with how gorgeous it all is. Don’t believe me? Here’s an actual shot we took of the sunset in HB (says it all!)
