What more do you need to say about a city that has a Woody as its official car? Huntington Beach, with an abundance of wide, sandy beaches and California dreamin’ surf culture, draws more than 11 million visitors to this SoCal coastal city annually. With temperatures rarely exceeding 90 degrees, along with one of the nation’s largest recreational piers, a marina, a wildlife preserve, scenic trails for hiking, biking and jogging, shopping and dining, the destination is a prime getaway—especially for families.
The city that became legendary as “Surf City USA” is still home to the “Dean” half of surf-singing sixties duo, “Jan and Dean.” Huntington Beach opened its first surf shop along the white, sparkling strand of beach in 1953, a few years before the U.S. Surfing Championships were first held there and more than 25 years after Duke Kahanamoku brought the sport to Huntington Beach.
New Family Suites
Huntington Beach has various lodging experiences to enjoy, but to capture the best of the beach vibe head to the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort & Spa, the only resort in the area with direct beach access, for beach-fronting luxury imbued with surf beat touches throughout. And, this summer the resort is unveiling a benchmark-setting approach to tailored accommodations, designed specifically with evolving and trending family vacation in mind.
From kid-free sprees to trips with gram, gramps and your “too-cool” teen’s BFF, the resort’s new customized collection of specialty suites erases standard hotel challenges with configurations that echo home away from home conveniences. There is a suite perfect for every family, including:
Multi-Generation Family Suites
Designed to suit the continued trend of multi-generational travel, this distinctive category premieres exclusive two-and three-bedroom suites spanning up to 2,200 square feet and offering a true home-away-from-home feel. Each suite can sleep up to 12 guests, with multiple king- and queen-sized bedrooms, sprawling living space, dedicated dining areas, multiple bathrooms and spacious balconies or patios. All are well-appointed for resort living with multiple oversized flat screen TVs, refrigerator and access to the resort’s gourmet market, retailing specialty grab and go treats.
Family Rooms
This category offers families a series of rare and convenient combinations. The rooms feature both a king and a queen bed; bathroom with a roomy tub for bath time and separate shower for grownups; and an expansive walk-in closet to easily tuck away luggage, strollers and more.
Firepit Rooms
This exclusive category is perfect for parent’s night out. It provides a seamless transition between indoor and outdoor living with a lushly landscaped outdoor oasis complete with private fire pit and cozy seating, perfect for sparkling cocktails and conversation. The room also comes with a seasonal gourmet s’mores kit because, what is a fire pit without a s’mores roast?
Service in the Sand
Paired with the unique sun-splashed, sandy-toed amenities and activities drenched in the “SoCal beach lifestyle” (there’s even a sandcastle concierge!), these thoughtful arrangements set the stage for vacations to remember. The lushly landscaped resort, resembling a grand Andalusia village, even extends “Seaside Sand Service” to its beach-going guests. If you dread schlepping all the essentials, from umbrellas to surf equipment and picnic lunches, for a day on the sand, then the Hyatt Regency will do it for you, plus much more. The service offers guests exclusive access to a dedicated area of white sand lined with beach chairs, towels and umbrellas. Picnic baskets stocked with favorite summertime treats can also be pre-ordered for day-long munching. As the sun sets, the summer tradition of fireside chats and gooey s’mores is easily accommodated by using the “fire-pit concierge” to reserve your space and set up chairs, blankets and firewood on the sand in front of the resort.
The resort’s array of programs reflective of Southern California’s active beach lifestyle immerse guests in the spirit of Huntington Beach. Options include Saturday morning group beach yoga practice, surf instruction with the pros at onsite surf lifestyle outfitter, Toes on the Noes; beach architecture with the resort’s sandcastle concierge Dig It! who assist guests in constructing Instagram-worthy sand structures; a weekly sunset concert series with the area’s best bands and themed family-style buffets; and for wellness seekers, the 20,000-square-foot Pacific Waters Spa goes beyond the massage table with pairing options that match treatments with bites from an inspired culinary menu targeting 12 spices, renowned for their internal and external health benefits.
Surf City events
The Huntington Beach Pier, built originally in 1904 and expanded about a decade ago, is a focal point for visitors and residents alike with events all summer long.
Van’s US OPEN of Surfing takes place July 27-August 4, 2019. As the world’s largest surf competition and lifestyle festival, over half a million people cruise the sand on the south side of the Huntington Beach Pier for nine free fun-filled days. Watch as the best surfers in the world compete for one of the largest prize purses in the industry at this annual World Surf League qualifier.
For more events and things to do in Huntington Beach, check here.
Photos courtesy of Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort & Spa
