Huntington Beach is an ocean town in Orange County, California. According to the 2020 Census, the number of people living in Huntington Beach is 198,711. This makes it one of the largest cities in Orange County in the number of people, or population. It is has the Pacific Ocean on the southwest, Seal Beach in the northwest, Costa Mesa to the east, Newport Beach on the southeast, Westminster to the north, and Fountain Valley to the northeast.
Huntington Beach is well known for its 8.5 mile (13.7 km) strip of beach running down the west side. The beach is a very good place for surfing. Several surfing meets are held there each year.
The beach is named for Henry E. Huntington, the head of the Pacific Electric Railway. The PE served Huntington Beach for many years.
Notable natives and residents
Actors
Willie Aames attended Edison High School. Eva Angelina, adult film actress. Nicole Eggert grew up in Huntington Beach. Lauren German, actress of NBC TV series Chicago Fire. Amy Grabow grew up in Huntington Beach and attended the Academy for the Performing Arts. Jenna Jameson, famed pornographic actress, lives in Huntington Harbour with Tito Ortiz. Jack Kelly, most noted for the role of Bart Maverick on the Maverick TV series; during the 1980s and early 1990s, he served as city councilman and mayor in Huntington Beach. Jason Lee, actor, title character in TV series My Name is Earl, grew up in Huntington Beach and attended Ocean View High School. Cara Lott, adult actress.
Athletes
Huntington Beach is the home to pro skateboarders Christian Hosoi, Geoff Rowley, Arto Saari, Tosh Townend, Mark Appleyard, Brian Sumner, Ed Templeton, and Nyjah Huston. Former NHL hockey player John Blue is from Huntington Beach, as is professional soccer player Sacha Kljestan. It is home of mixed martial artists: Tito "The Huntington Beach Bad Boy" Ortiz, Kimo Leopoldo, Tank Abbott and James Irvin. Collin Balester, baseball player, attended Huntington Beach High School Hank Conger, baseball player, attended Huntington Beach High School. Ric Drasin, artist, actor, stuntman, writer, personal trainer, bodybuilder, and professional wrestler Bill Green, former U.S. record holder in hammer throw, fifth place in 1984 Summer Olympics, lived in the Seacliff area of Huntington Beach 1999–2006. Jessie Godderz, professional bodybuilder with the World Natural Body Building Federation, contestant on Big Brother 10 and Big Brother 11 Julio Cesar Gonzalez, boxer, 1996 Olympic Games athlete for Mexico, WBO light-heavyweight champion 2003, attended Edison High, was killed in 2012 by a drunk driver in Baja, Mexico. Tony Gonzalez, formerly of the NFL's Atlanta Falcons, attended Huntington Beach High School. Ian Kennedy, San Diego Padres pitcher, was born in Huntington Beach. Jeff Kent, retired baseball player and recipient of baseball's 2000 National League MVP award, was raised in Huntington Beach and attended Edison High School. Jürgen Klinsmann, soccer player, coach of the German national soccer team and current coach of the United States men's national soccer team. He did move with his family in 2008 to Munich, Germany to become the coach of FC Bayern Munich. Klinsmann currently lives in Newport Beach. Iris Kyle, 10-time overall Ms. Olympia professional bodybuilder. Scott Lipsky, professional tennis player, lives in Huntington Beach. David Martin, professional tennis player, lives in Huntington Beach. Paul McBeth, three time disc golf world champion. Peter Mel, surfer Henry Owens, baseball player. Cherokee Parks, basketball player, was born in Huntington Beach and attended Marina High School. Brett Simpson, surfer. Surfer Peter "PT" Townend lived in Huntington Beach. Joan Weston, star of Roller Derby Bob Wolcott, former Seattle Mariners pitcher, was born in Huntington Beach.