Huntington Harbour, Huntington Beach, California facts for kids
Huntington Harbour is a special community in Huntington Beach, California, found in Orange County, California. About 3,500 people live here. It's a neighborhood built on 680 acres (280 ha) of land. It has five islands that people made, with waterways for boating. These waterways are usually 15 to 20 feet (4.6 to 6.1 m) deep. The five islands are called Admiralty, Davenport, Gilbert, Humboldt, and Trinidad.
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The Story of Huntington Harbour
Building Huntington Harbour started in 1963. It cost a lot of money, about $200 million. The harbors and peninsulas you see today were once a natural Estuary and wetland called Sunset Bay. These natural areas were changed by digging and filling to create the new community.
Huntington Harbour is bordered by two important areas. To the south is the 1,200 acres (4.9 km2) Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve, which is a protected natural space. To the north is the 5,256 acres (21.27 km2) Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach.
The Huntington Harbour Yacht Club opened in 1965. It has about 300 members. This club offers sailing lessons in the summer. They even teach sailing to young people who might not otherwise get the chance.
Exploring the Islands
Huntington Harbour has five unique human-made islands. Each island offers different types of homes and views.
Admiralty Island Homes
This island has 90 homes for single families. Almost all of these homes are right on the water.
Davenport Island Living
Davenport Island has 227 home sites. About half of these homes are on the water, and the other half are not.
Gilbert Island Views
Gilbert Island is next to Admiralty Island. It has 100 home sites. Two-thirds of these homes are on the water, giving them great views.
Humboldt Island Homes
Humboldt Island has 335 homes. Two-thirds of these homes are on the water. They have lovely views of Christiana Bay.
Trinidad Island Luxury
Trinidad Island is thought to be the most fancy of all the islands.
Fun and Culture in Huntington Harbour
Huntington Harbour has five special spots called "Mother's beaches." Families often bring their children here to play in the sand. Kids can also swim in the shallow water near the shore. These beaches are also great places for kayakers and paddle boarders to start their adventures. Swimmers can enjoy long swims without big waves or strong currents.
The water in Huntington Harbour is usually 15–20 feet (4.6–6.1 m) deep. Because it's not as deep as the ocean, the water is often a few degrees warmer in summer. In winter, it's a few degrees cooler. Boats must go slowly, at only 5 mph (8.0 km/h), to avoid making waves. The Orange County Sheriff's Department and Huntington Beach Marine Fire Rescue keep the harbor safe.
Every December, a fun boat parade happens in the waterways. Boats decorated with lights cruise through the channels. There's also a special event called the "Cruise of Lights." During this event, tour boats take people to see the beautifully decorated homes. This event also helps raise money for good causes.
Life and Economy in the Harbour
Most of the homes in Huntington Harbour were built between the 1960s and late 1970s. They usually have three to six bedrooms. The sizes of these homes range from 2,090 to 6,739 square feet. While Huntington Harbour is mostly a place where people live, there is a shopping center. It's called the Huntington Harbour Mall and is located on Algonquin Street.
