Destination Hyatt 2010 : Page 396
Venturing out Orange COunty is full Of an eCleCtiC mix Of attraCtiOns. With One Of the mOst beautiful COasts in the WOrld, this is the plaCe fOr Water aCtivities like Whale WatChing, fishing exCur- siOns Or a day trip tO nearby Catalina island. histOry lives here, tOO, in the neWly restOred missiOn san Juan CapistranO. Or Just take a drive sOuth tO neWpOrt and laguna beaChes, eaCh With JeWel-like COves, White sand beaChes and WOrld- Class shOpping and dining. AttrActions HuNTINgTON BEAcH PIEr. Originally built in 1904 and reconstructed several times since, today’s pier is California’s best built and longest municipal concrete struc- ture. It provides the perfect spot to catch the U.S. Open of Surfing, AVP Pro Volleyball Tournament or extreme sports competi- tions. This enormous pier extends about a third of a mile out into the ocean and serves as a backdrop or destination both night and day for spectators and strollers who may be headed for one of the two fine dining res- taurants just alongside the foot of the pier or Ruby’s Diner at the far end of the pier. The pier is open from 5 a.m. to midnight daily and can be entered at Pacific Coast Highway and Main Street. DOwNTOwN HuNTINgTON BEAcH. Pacific Coast Highway and Main Street. The three blocks along Huntington Beach’s Main Street are known as a lively place with a casual beach town vibe. You’ll find an eclectic variety of restaurants in down- town, from casual to gourmet to exotic. Rooftop bars with ocean views are places to party and relax. Shopping for surf wear and equipment is unsurpassed at famous surf shops, while trendy boutiques are filled with fashion finds. The Surfers Hall of Fame and Surfing Walk of Fame honor the sport’s heroes in the pavement on opposite sides of Main Street near Pacific Coast Highway. INTErNATIONAl SurfINg MuSEuM. 411 Olive Ave. 714-960-3483. Check out the surfing paraphernalia—boards, photos, trophies and other memorabilia—contained in this cool little museum. Historic posters of Duke Kahanamoku, Hawaii’s father of surf- 92 DESTINATION HYATT ing and a visitor to Huntington Beach, share space with Jan and Dean’s gold record from the 1960s. There’s also biographical information on the surfing legends whose names line the Surfing Walk of Fame on Main Street. Surf cITy NIgHTS. Every Tuesday night from 5 to 9 pm, the Surf City Nights Downtown Street Fair takes over Main Street. Tourists and local families mingle among the food and craft vendors, farmers’ market, and street performers. BOlSA cHIcA EcOlOgIcAl rESErvE. Conservancy Office, 3842 Warner Ave. 714- 846-1114. This protected wetland features a bridge and a 1.5-mile dirt trail where you can take a self-guided tour or join a docent- led group to watch some of the more than 200 species of migratory birds that rest or stay here on part of the Pacific Flyway. There are even special breeding islands for endan- gered species. Located along Pacific Coast Highway at the north end of Huntington Beach, between Seapoint Street and Warner Avenue. Parking is across PCH from the entrance to Bolsa Chica State Beach, and at the corner of Warner. NEwlAND HOuSE MuSEuM. 19820 Beach Blvd. 714-962-5777. Take a journey through Huntington’s history during your visit to this restored and authentically fur- nished 1898 Victorian farmhouse. Even the rose garden opens a window into the past— it’s planted with heirloom varieties popular in the early 20th century. NEwPOrT BEAcH. Both luxury leisure and big-time business happen in Newport Beach, the financial and boating capital of Orange County. The city’s geography and attractions are quite diverse, from the winged and water nature preserve in its Back Bay to Pacific Ocean cruises. Newport Harbor holds more than 9,000 boats, mak- ing it the world’s largest small-boat harbor. There are seven small islands in the bay, including tiny Balboa Island (pop. 2,200). Corona del Mar is really part of Newport Beach, although it has its own character
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