If you live in a four-season location, the temperatures are dropping. Soon, it will be January, and on those especially bone-chilling days you may find yourself daydreaming of warm rays from the sun, the calming sound of waves crashing on the shore, the salty breeze tickling your skin. California dreamin’, to be exact.
To Michelle Devine, this vision is Huntington Beach personified. “We are quintessential California,” said Devine, vice president of sales for Visit Huntington Beach and who originally hails from Minnesota, knowing this daydream all too well. And when she speaks with clients, their draw to the destination is undeniably the beach and that “California” feeling.
For planners unfamiliar with Orange County, California, they might lump all of the coastal SoCal cities together, but each destination is distinct. And what separates Huntington Beach from the pack is, in fact, its sandy shores. Ten miles of uninterrupted coastline, comprised of five beaches, beckon visitors whether for relaxation, an event, extreme sandcastle building or surfing—host to the US Open of Surfing, Huntington Beach boasts the official nickname, “Surf City USA.”
The destination attracts a variety of groups, from corporate events to retreats and incentives. Markets such as tech, pharma, real estate, gaming and others are bringing their meetings to Huntington Beach. While the city doesn’t have a convention center, Devine says it can still accommodate a variety of sizes and do “beachwides,” where groups activate a couple oceanfront resorts for events.
The HB Collection, which includes four premier oceanfront resorts (see “Stay” below), is often home base for groups. Many spaces within it can be used for events, and the DMO and city often work together to create unique solutions for larger-scale gatherings.
“We have an amazing beachside parking lot and we have worked to remove light posts in the middle to make it a blank campus of 200,0000-plus square feet,” Devine offered as an example. “We recently had a festival-style conference [there] by a wealth management group, selling out the destination.”
Another thing that Devine believes sets Huntington Beach apart? Its welcoming atmosphere.
“I think one of the first things you would notice are the people and the community and how welcoming the community is,” she said.
The diverse population and accessibility features reinforce this. Since 2021, for example, the city has utilized Mobi-Mats on the beaches, which are portable, roll-out pathways made of durable, non-slip material designed to improve access across the sand for individuals using wheelchairs, strollers or other mobility aids.
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Beyond the beach, Huntington Beach offers so much more, including a vibrant, walkable downtown with myriad dining and shopping options. “Sometimes people feel like they have to choose between city and beach,” Devine said, noting that in Huntington Beach, you don’t have to. “You could be watching this amazing sunset over the pier and then you turn around, look back at the city and you see the twinkling cafe lights and people sitting there and enjoying the sunset—it’s amazing!”
Where to Stay in Huntington Beach
Dubbed the HB Collection, four hotels comprised of 1,400 guest rooms and 185,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, wellness amenities and a host of beachfront venues provide everything planners need for meetings in Huntington Beach. The collection includes Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort & Spa; The Waterfront Beach Resort, A Hilton Hotel; Paséa Hotel & Spa; and Kimpton Shorebreak Resort.
Where to Eat in Huntington Beach
There is no shortage of alfresco dining options to enjoy ocean views in Huntington Beach, from patios to rooftops to signature hotel restaurants. For a creative sampling of the destination’s cuisine—and the views to match—organize a dine-around at Pacific City, where you’ll find fresh seafood, Mexican, Japanese, barbecue, pizza and more.
Fun Activities in Huntington Beach
Perhaps it’s stating the obvious, but the main attraction of Huntington Beach is, well, the beach—the city has 10 miles of uninterrupted sandy shores, after all. Whether you organize a reception, teambuilding activity, watch the US Open of Surfing or simply work free time into the agenda for fun in the sun, don’t leave Huntington Beach without putting your toes in the sand.
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Taking Off is a column from the desk of Senior Content Director and resident destinations expert, Danielle LeBreck, which uncovers the destinations you haven't thought of for meetings or events, from under-the-radar locales to new neighborhoods you should know about. Read more Taking Off columns here.
