Smart Meetings

Indeed, this city lives to the rhythm of the pounding surf. Renowned for its perfectly crested waves, the community of almost 200,000 draws surfers and body boarders from all over the world, especially during its numerous surf competitions, which include the prestigious U.S. Open of Surfing (usopenofsurfing.com), the largest in North America.

And when you’re not in the water, you can always be near it. The Huntington Beach Pier (surfcityusa.com) is one of the longest recreational piers on the West Coast, extending 1,853 feet into the ocean while beckoning rollerbladers, fishermen, joggers and dog-walkers who flock to the esplanade to enjoy the balmy weather and the fiery sunsets.

UNIQUE VENUES

No doubt, this laid-back ocean community holds plenty of opportunities for one-of-a-

kind events. Hold a surfing-themed event in the International Surfing Museum (surfingmuseum.org), which displays some of the sport’s unique artifacts in numerous rotating exhibits that include a surfboard formerly owned by surf legend Duke Kahanamoku and one of the cameras Bruce Brown used to film Endless Summer.

Further whetting your appetite for Hunting-ton Beach’s surf culture is the Surfers’ Hall of Fame, distinguished by a life-size bronze statue of Duke Kahanamoku. (You’ll notice the names of surfing legends when you take a stroll down the Surfing Walk of Fame.)

If your group includes art lovers, you can also hold an event after hours in the Huntington Beach Art Center (hbarts.tripod.com), featuring visual art from local and internationally renowned contemporary artists.

The barn at the Newland House (stockteam.com/newland_barn), a gracious Victorian home-turned-museum, also provides a pastoral event space for groups of up to 200, with a lattice-work gazebo and an adjoining rose garden.

SURF’S UP

Even if your group members aren’t avid surfers, almost every activity will likely be related to the water and the outdoors.

Dotted with lifeguard stations, bonfire rings, waving palms and soft sand, Huntington City Beach (ci.huntington-beach.ca.us) captures the true essence of the city’s surf culture with one of the largest uninterrupted stretch of beachfront on the West Coast. If you’re feeling energetic, go for a jog or a bike ride on the Huntington Beach Ocean Strand (surfcityusa.com), an eight-and-a-half-mile paved

pathway that spans the length of the city’s beaches along the Pacific Coast Highway.

If you’re actually willing to grab a board and give it a whirl, Toes on the Nose (toesonthenose.com) offers group surfing lessons for up to 40 people. “That’s the true California experience,” says Kristin James, director of public relations for the Huntington Beach Conference and Visitors Bureau (surfcityusa.com). “This is a surfing town.”

After your lesson, you’ll have a choice of a wide array of team-building activities hosted by area hotels, including beach volleyball tournaments, Beach Olympics, barbecues, scavenger and treasure hunts and chili cook-offs.

For another unforgettable team activity, take your group on a bird-watching tour at Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve (bolsachica.org), a 330-acre coastal wetland housing nearly 200 species of birds. So get out your binoculars and dust off the camera. Tours through the wetlands on the wooden footbridges and trails are offered on specific weekends by trained guides. Or peruse the exhibits on display at the reserve’s Interpretive Center.

Back to Top

Getting There

Orange County is accessible by four major airports: John Wayne/Orange County Airport (ocair.com), located 16 miles from Anaheim, as well as Los Angeles International Airport (lawa.org), Long Beach Airport (longbeach.gov/airport) and Ontario International Airport (lawa.org). Several ground transportation services offer door-to-door service to and from all major airports. Back to Top

What's New?

Another W-ow For Starwood | Starwood Hotels & Resorts has announced plans to open a W in Huntington Beach, Calif. It will...

Back to Top