Huntington Beach

Once a sleepy residential town with little more than a string of rugged surf shops, Huntington Beach has transformed itself into a resort destination. The town's appeal is its broad white-sand beaches with often-towering waves, complemented by a lively pier, shops, and restaurants on Main Street and a growing collection of luxurious resort hotels. A draw for sports fans and partiers of all stripes is the U.S. Open professional surf competition, which brings a festive atmosphere to town each July. Other top sporting events are the AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tournament in August and the Core Tour Extreme BMX Skate Competition in September. There's even a Surfing Walk of Fame, with plaques set in the sidewalk around the intersection of the PCH and Main Street.