Huntington Beach State Park guide
Forgive me but I’m prone to gush here. Huntington Beach State Park makes my heart happy, happy, happy. And I want you to love it too! Consider this your unofficial Huntington Beach State Park guide for locals and visiting families. Read on for your must do’s and all the nice to do’s too!
MUST DO: a beach day at huntington
Yes, Huntington is the perfect spot for a beach day. There are two beach access points to choose from so your only choice is to veer left or stay right after crossing the causeway.
The South Beach access (stay to the right) is the largest and most used. The benefits of this side include proximity to the playground, gift shop, and Atalaya (the castle) plus the parking area is larger. The walk to the beach is a bit shorter from this access point. The bathrooms are located a little closer to the beach also. The North Beach access point (veer left after the causeway) is a short drive north through some really lovely natural scenery. This access point is a little more secluded and is a good pick on the busiest days.
WHICH ACCESS POINT TO CHOOSE | North if you want seclusion and the most natural beauty. South if you want to be closer to everything else Huntington has to offer (Atalaya, the playground, the gift shop, boardwalks). Both access points have foot wash stations and well maintained bathrooms so you can’t go wrong.
MUST DO: a history lesson at huntington
ATALAYA CASTLE is the big stone structure you’ll see when parking at the South Beach Access point. Any visit to the park should include a tour – or at least walking over to get a closer look and reading some of the informational placards.
Atalaya is open from 9am-4pm daily and is $2 per person (5 and under for free). Annual pass holders just show your pass for free entry. Be sure to take it out of your car and carry it over with you. You can tour on your own or opt for a guided tour led by The Friends of Huntington Beach State Park. Be sure to check the programs and events section to know when tours are offered since it changes by season.
TIPS FOR TOURING WITH KIDS | This isn’t a dainty little place and there are no artifacts inside the castle so it’s unlikely your kids can do much harm. The castle is basically a large square with rooms around the outer walls and an inner open air courtyard. There is only one set of bathrooms so locate those as you begin your tour. It does feel a bit like a maze once you’re inside. But it can be toured quickly since you’re essentially just viewing the architecture and reading small placards about the use of each room. Note that the castle has no AC and the inner courtyard is open to the elements so pick your tour time wisely if heat or rain is a factor.
MUST DO: nature exploration at huntington
What else does Huntington offer? Well, let’s just start a list: trails, a nature center, saltwater marsh boardwalks, fresh water boardwalks, bird watching, gator spotting, fishing, camp sites, etc. It’ll be hard to do everything in one visit. It’s wise to pick two or three things to prioritize and save the others for your next visit.
WHAT TO PRIORITIZE | Park nearby the causeway then walk back toward it. You’ll access the boardwalks over the freshwater ponds which is a perfect spot to see alligators. Walking the causeway, especially as the sun is starting to set is a 5-star experience. If you can afford to then drive over to the nature center to walk out onto the saltwater boardwalks too. They are really long and you’ll have great panoramic views of water all around.
WHEN YOU HAVE MORE TIME | The one-mile Sandpiper Pond Nature Trail is a great idea but it’s always ended in failure for us. The bugs have always made it a no-go but bug spray and the right time of year can fix that. The nature center was rebuilt in 2020 after a fire at the original one. It offers a touch tank, large reptiles on display, and general information about the ecosystem of the park. And the well known and often photographed Straight Road, which lies between the two freshwater ponds is a great place to walk. Gator spotting is easy from here and they might even cross the road in front of you!
NICE TO DO: birding, camping, festivals
BIRDING | If this isn’t your cup of tea then don’t worry about it. Just know that there are over 300 species of birds that have been spotted in the park. The State PARK PAGE has a great guide so check that out.
CAMPING | The park offers tent and RV camping and has a page dedicated to all you’ll need to know about that.
ATALAYA ARTS & CRAFTS FESTIVAL | Held annually in late September, this festival is full of local artisans, food, and entertainment.
HUNTINGTON BEACH STATE PARK KITE FESTIVAL | This is a new addition to the park’s calendar. The inaugural event was held in March 2022 to great reception. Expect this to become a staple event for the park!
General info and tips
- Go early. The park does fill up and cars will be turned away once capacity is reached. This happens regularly on the busiest day (weekends, holidays). If you leave then you aren’t guaranteed re-entry.
- There are no tent restrictions on the beaches so bring your fav shade options.
- Huntington is dog friendly. Dogs are restricted on the north end of the North Beach Access point only and must be on a leash elsewhere.
- It really won’t be possible to do/see it all in one visit with small kids. Instead, prioritize 2-3 things and map your day around those.
- The beach seems to be really bug-y at various times of year so bring some bug repellant in addition to your sunscreen.
- Huntington is magic near sunset. If you can plan to return for the early evening hours during summertime (6-8pm) then you’ll enjoy tide pools (on the North Beach Access point) and the most gorgeous moody skies and the quiet of birds feeding by the causeway.
- Check out the events and programs section of the state park website if you’re looking for something educational for yourself or the kids!
- Note there is a great playground at the South Beach Access point too!
