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48 Hours in Huntington Beach: The Ultimate Weekend Itinerary

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Huntington Beach
A picturesque shoreline features a wooden pier with a red-roofed structure, surrounded by palm trees and calm ocean waves, inviting a serene vibe.

If you’re looking for a Southern California beach getaway, two days in Huntington Beach is the perfect way to experience the best of Orange County’s coast. Known for its surf culture, sandy beaches, iconic pier and laid-back coastal lifestyle, Huntington Beach makes it easy to fill a weekend with sunshine, ocean views, great food and time to simply slow down.

For travelers searching for the best place to stay in Orange County by the beach, Paséa Hotel & Spa offers an oceanfront home base in the heart of Huntington Beach. Located directly across from the Pacific Ocean, Paséa puts you close to the beach, Huntington Beach Pier, Main Street and some of the area’s best dining and coastal experiences.

Whether you’re planning a romantic weekend, a beach vacation with friends or a relaxing Southern California escape, here’s how to spend 48 hours in Huntington Beach.

Where to Stay in Huntington Beach

For an oceanfront hotel in Orange County, location makes all the difference. Paséa Hotel & Spa sits just steps from Huntington Beach, offering easy access to the sand and the city’s iconic coastal attractions.

The resort combines the relaxed atmosphere of a California beach getaway with the amenities of a full-service resort, including ocean view accommodations, a pool overlooking the Pacific, a luxury spa and coastal dining. From here, you can spend your morning on the shore, explore the city on foot or by bike, and return to the resort for a relaxing afternoon by the pool or at the spa.

With the beach just outside your door, Paséa is an ideal home base for a Huntington Beach weekend itinerary.

Day One: Beach, Surf & Huntington Beach

Morning: Start Your Day by the Ocean

There’s no better way to begin a Huntington Beach getaway than with time by the Pacific.

Start your morning with coffee and breakfast from Paséa's on-site cafe, Blend, before heading outside for a walk along the beach. Huntington Beach is famous for its wide stretch of sand and legendary surf culture, making the shoreline an experience all its own.

Take a leisurely stroll, watch local surfers catch the morning waves or simply find a spot in the sand and enjoy the ocean views.

Staying at Paséa makes it easy to build beach time into your itinerary without having to plan around a long drive or complicated transportation. The beach is right across the street, so you can enjoy the coast whenever the mood strikes.

Walk Huntington Beach Pier

Continue your morning with a walk to the iconic Huntington Beach Pier.

Stretching into the Pacific, the pier is one of the most recognizable landmarks in Huntington Beach and offers panoramic views of the coastline. It’s also a great place to experience the city’s connection to surfing and Southern California beach culture.

After exploring the pier, wander through the surrounding area and browse the shops, cafés and local businesses around Main Street and Pacific City shopping center.

Lunch: Enjoy the Flavors of the Coast

After a morning outdoors, settle in for a leisurely lunch with an ocean view.

Huntington Beach has no shortage of coastal dining, from casual beachside bites to elevated restaurants with oceanfront views. For a convenient and delicious option located at the hotel, enjoy a meal at Paséa’s own coastal dining destination, Lōrea. Savor locally sourced dishes and hand-crafted cocktails before continuing your afternoon at the pool.

Afternoon: Pool, Spa & Time to Unwind

After exploring Huntington Beach or having lunch at Lōrea, give yourself permission to slow down.

Kick back and take it easy with an afternoon by the pool or reserve time at Aarna Spa. A Huntington Beach getaway doesn’t have to be packed with activities. Sometimes the best part of a beach vacation is having nowhere else you need to be.

Spend a few hours lounging poolside, enjoying a spa treatment or relaxing in your room while taking in the coastal atmosphere.

If you’re traveling as a couple, this is an especially good time to build in a little relaxation together before your evening plans.

Evening: Watch the Sunset

Make your way back toward the beach as the sun begins to set.

Huntington Beach sunsets are one of the easiest ways to turn an ordinary evening into a memorable one. Find a place along the sand, walk along the shoreline or settle in somewhere with an ocean view and watch the sky change over the Pacific.

After sunset, head toward Main Street for dinner, drinks and a taste of Huntington Beach after dark.

For a memorable, more relaxed evening, stay on the sand and allow Paséa's beach butler to arrange a classic beach bonfire with hot dogs, s'mores and refreshing beverages.

Day Two: Explore More of Huntington Beach

Morning: Take a Coastal Bike Ride

Wake up and start your second day with another dose of the California coast.

Huntington Beach is one of the best places in Orange County to explore by bike, with a scenic coastal path that follows the shoreline for over 8 miles. Rent a beach cruiser, electric bike or family-friendly Surrey bike and enjoy the ocean breeze.

If you’re an active traveler, you can also make time for surfing or another water activity. Huntington Beach’s reputation as Surf City USA makes it a natural destination for anyone who wants to get out on the water.

Prefer a slower morning? Grab breakfast and enjoy a quiet start to the day before heading out to explore.

Experience Surf City USA

Spend the rest of your morning getting to know Huntington Beach beyond the shoreline.

Explore Main Street, browse local shops and soak up the city’s unmistakable surf-town personality. Huntington Beach blends a relaxed beach atmosphere with plenty of places to shop, dine and explore, making it easy to spend a few hours wandering without a strict schedule.

For first-time visitors, this is also a great opportunity to experience what makes Huntington Beach different from other Orange County beach destinations. The city’s surf heritage is part of its identity, and you’ll see it everywhere from the beach to the shops and the Huntington Beach International Surfing Museum.

Afternoon: Choose Your Own Adventure

For your final afternoon, tailor the experience to the kind of getaway you want.

For Beach Lovers

Go back to the beach. There’s no rule that says you have to leave it.

Take advantage of Paséa’s beach butler service, conveniently transporting you, umbrellas, chairs and other beach day essentials straight to the sand via pedicab. Spend a few hours swimming, reading, walking the shoreline or relaxing in the sand. After all, one of the biggest reasons to choose a beachfront hotel in Orange County is having easy access to the coast.

For Active Travelers

Try surfing, biking or another outdoor activity. Huntington Beach is a natural playground for travelers who want to spend their vacation moving.

For Couples

Slow things down with an afternoon cruise in Huntington Harbor. Bring the bottle of wine from your room, included in your stay, and sip as you soak in charming coastline views.

For a Relaxing Getaway

Keep your schedule intentionally light. Unwind at the pool or spa, take a walk by the ocean and spend the afternoon doing absolutely nothing.

That might be the most California thing you do all weekend.

Evening: One Last Huntington Beach Sunset

Before your 48 hours come to an end, make time for one last sunset.

Enjoy a final dinner, cocktails and an elevated front row seat to the show at Treehouse on PCH, the hotel rooftop bar and lounge at Paséa. It’s a simple way to end a weekend that’s all about the ocean, sunshine and the easygoing Southern California lifestyle.

Why Stay at Paséa for Your Huntington Beach Getaway?

Choosing where to stay can shape your entire Orange County vacation. If you want to spend your weekend close to the beach, Paséa Hotel & Spa offers an oceanfront location that makes it easy to experience Huntington Beach without spending your getaway sitting in traffic.

The resort is positioned near some of the city’s most popular attractions, including Huntington Beach Pier, Main Street and Pacific City, while offering plenty of reasons to stay close to home.

Guests can enjoy:

  • An oceanfront location in Huntington Beach
  • Easy access to the beach
  • Proximity to Huntington Beach Pier and Main Street
  • A resort-style pool with ocean views
  • Massages, facials, and other spa treatments at Aarna Spa
  • Coastal dining and cocktails at Lōrea and Treehouse on PCH
  • Ocean view rooms and suites designed for a relaxing beach getaway
  • Easy access to the best of Huntington Beach and Orange County

For travelers wondering where to stay in Orange County for a beach vacation, Paséa offers the combination of location, relaxation and coastal experiences that make a weekend in Huntington Beach feel like a true escape.

Plan Your 48-Hour Huntington Beach Getaway

Two days in Huntington Beach is enough to experience the best of the coast while still leaving time to relax, recharge and enjoy the destination at your own pace.

From mornings on the beach and walks along the pier to sunset strolls, coastal dining and afternoons at the spa, Huntington Beach offers everything you need for a memorable Southern California escape.

Make Paséa Hotel & Spa your home base and spend 48 hours discovering why Huntington Beach is one of the best places to experience the Orange County coast.