Huntington State Beach facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Huntington State Beach |
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Huntington State Beach
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 Huntington State Beach
Location in California
Huntington State Beach
Location in the United States
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| Location | Orange County, California, United States |
| Nearest city | Huntington Beach, California |
| Area | 121 acres (49 ha) |
| Established | 1942 |
| Governing body | California Department of Parks and Recreation |
Huntington State Beach is a protected beach in Southern California. It is located in the City of Huntington Beach in Orange County. This beach stretches for about 2 miles (3.2 km) from the Santa Ana River north to Beach Boulevard. After Beach Boulevard, the Huntington City Beach begins. This 121-acre (49 ha) park was created in 1942.
Huntington State Beach is a very popular place for people who love the beach! It has good waves for surfing, places to fish, volleyball courts, basketball courts, restrooms, and fire-rings for bonfires. California State Parks Lifeguards keep everyone safe here all year round. Lifeguard towers are usually staffed from late May (Memorial Day) through early September (Labor Day).
This beach is also a special home for two important bird species. It provides a safe nesting area for California least terns, which are an endangered type of bird. It also helps snowy plovers, which are a threatened species on the West Coast.
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What is the History of Huntington State Beach?
Huntington State Beach is a very important place for training California State Lifeguards.
How Did Lifeguard Service Begin?
In 1950, the State of California started to develop and operate Huntington State Beach. They decided to create their own lifeguard service. Robert Isenor, who used to be a lifeguard in Newport City, was hired to start the first State Lifeguard program.
He hired 17 seasonal lifeguards. They worked from ten towers, but they didn't have phones or radios! They had one jeep to help them. That first summer, State Lifeguards saved 27 swimmers. About 211,000 people visited the beach that year.
How Did Lifeguard Training and Equipment Improve?
- In 1952, mobile radios were used for the first time at Huntington State Beach.
- In 1953, Robert Isenor became the first full-time District Lifeguard Supervisor.
- By 1962, lifeguard testing and training became more official. It included a 1000-yard swim, a 600-yard run-swim-run, and 20 hours of first aid and rescue training.
- In 1964, the lifeguard rescue boat "Surfwatch" was launched. It made a huge rescue, saving 36 people from one rip current at Huntington State Beach!
What is the California State Lifeguard Service Like Today?
Today, California State Parks runs one of the largest professional lifeguard services in the world. There are over 600 seasonal lifeguards and 70 full-time lifeguards and supervisors. They cover more than 600 miles of coastline and inland waters.
Every year, State lifeguards perform over 10,000 swimmer rescues. They also help with medical emergencies, swift water rescues, cliff rescues, and other law enforcement duties. In 2001, California State Parks celebrated 50 years of the State Lifeguard service.
Where is Huntington State Beach Located?
Huntington State Beach is located within the City of Huntington Beach. You can reach the beach using several main roads like Pacific Coast Highway, Beach Blvd., Newland Street, Magnolia Street, and Brookhurst Street.
At the southern end of the beach, there are two river mouths: Talbert Channel and the Santa Ana River. The beach itself is very wide and flat. There are also sandbars that stretch across and up the coast, making some areas of the water shallow.
It's important to know that water quality can sometimes be affected near the river mouths and other facilities. Because of this, high levels of water contamination can sometimes occur, especially near the Brookhurst Street entrance. Always check water quality reports before swimming.
What Fun Activities Can You Do at Huntington State Beach?
Surfing at Huntington State Beach
Huntington State Beach faces almost directly south. This means it gets great waves from the south during late spring, summer, and fall. When waves from the north/west combine with south waves, Huntington State Beach becomes a top spot for surfing.
Because of the Santa Ana River Jetties at the south end, large sandbars form. These sandbars can shift a lot, especially in spring and summer, which can create challenging conditions. The waves here often break very steeply and quickly. If you are new to surfing, this might not be the best place for you. Shortboards are usually recommended here.
Swimming Safely at Huntington State Beach
You can swim at Huntington State Beach, and lifeguards are usually on duty to help keep you safe. However, the ocean currents here can be very strong and create dangerous rip currents. Rescues are common, and it can be risky for non-swimmers to be in unguarded water. Swimmers should be very careful, stay close to the shore, and always swim in front of a lifeguard tower.
Exploring the Multi-use Trail
There's a paved path that runs along the entire length of the beach. This path is part of a much longer trail that goes all the way from Long Beach down to Balboa Pier in Newport Beach. It's great for walking, running, or biking!
Enjoying the Sunshine (Sunbathing)
Southern California is famous for its wonderful weather and lots of sunshine. Huntington State Beach is often less windy than other nearby beaches, but it can still get chilly sometimes.
Having a Bonfire in the Fire Rings
Huntington State Beach has large fire rings available right on the beach. These are first-come, first-served, so get there early if you want one! You can have big fires, but you are not allowed to use wood pallets. Bonfires can stay lit until 9:30 PM. Everyone must leave the park by 10:00 PM, and the park entrance closes at 9:00 PM.
Fishing from the Shore
Huntington State Beach is a popular spot for fishing from the shore. You might catch fish like perch, corbina, croaker, cabezon, and shovelnose guitarfish. You can fish here as long as there are no swimmers nearby. Make sure you have your fishing license displayed if required.
Birdwatching and Wildlife
A special area for California least terns and snowy plovers is located at the southern end of the beach, between Talbert Channel and the Santa Ana River. This is a protected reserve, so trespassing is not allowed. Also, dogs are generally not permitted on the sand near the reserve. However, dogs are allowed on the northern part of the beach between lifeguard tower #22 and lifeguard tower #26.
Images for kids
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Huntington State Beach
