Huntington Beach - Surf City USA

Expect many posts about Huntington Beach and Newport Beach, because, well... we live there.

We love Southern California.  But I think we're the kind of people that no matter what region we lived in, we'd find something to like.

New Year's Day was one of the days that exemplifies why people choose to live in Orange County.  It was sunny, windless, crystal clear and a perfect temperature.

Rather than endure hours of Al Roker making inane comments about Tournament of Roses floats, we stepped outdoors.  A short drive got us to the Huntington Beach Pier.

Beach Volleyball on January 1st

Only a few hundred yards south of the busy pier area, the beach was nearly empty.  We enjoyed walking along the flat, smooth area exposed at low tide.  The seagulls certainly enjoyed all the food that low tide exposes.

Seagull at low tide in Huntington Beach

There was plenty of driftwood from the recent storms.

Looking north toward Huntington Beach Pier

We had wanted to go for a hike, but with the recent storms feared the trails would be muddy.  This was a terrific alternative!  At the turn point in Newport Beach there are beach cafes, restaurants and more.  On return, we were back at the Huntington Beach Pier for coffee at people watching.