Huntington Harbour is the best place to paddle board in Huntington Beach. Its canals are flat, slow and sheltered from the surf, and you can rent a board right on the water at Sunset Beach. For something more family-friendly, launch from the little sand beach at Seabridge Park; for waves, experienced paddlers head to Bolsa Chica State Beach.
“Surf City” is famous for its waves, which are exactly what beginners on a paddle board want to avoid. The good news is that the city’s north end has one of the calmest paddles in Orange County. Huntington Harbour has about nine miles of canals around five residential islands, all under a 5 mph speed limit, so boat wakes are small and the water stays flat most mornings.
Quick answer
- First time on a board: Huntington Harbour, renting at Sunset Beach on Pacific Coast Highway.
- Families with young kids: Seabridge Park, which has a shallow beach, a playground and restrooms.
- A quiet locals’ launch: Davenport Beach, the small “Mother’s Beach” on Davenport Island.
- Waves: Bolsa Chica State Beach, for experienced paddlers and SUP surfers only.
- Elsewhere on the coast: Newport Harbor, Long Beach’s Alamitos Bay and Dana Point Harbor are all within a short drive (see the FAQ).
The best places to paddle board in Huntington Beach
Huntington Harbour from Sunset Beach
Directions
Best for: beginners, first-timers renting a board. Flat water.
The Sunset Beach side of Huntington Harbour sits right behind Pacific Coast Highway, a block from the ocean. From the shore you paddle straight into the harbour’s main channel, then into the canals between the islands, past docks, moored yachts and waterfront homes. Herons, egrets and pelicans are common.
Where to launch: The small beach known as 11th Street Beach (around 16884 Pacific Coast Highway) is a popular hand launch. Parking is along PCH, so it fills up early and you’ll be unloading next to fast traffic. Getting there early also gets you the calmest water before the afternoon breeze.
What to avoid: Don’t head north toward Sunset Harbor and Anaheim Bay. The Orange County Sheriff’s Harbor Patrol says kayaks and paddle boards are prohibited at all times at Sunset Aquatic Park and in Sunset Harbor, and the only route to the ocean runs through Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach. In practice, that means you can’t paddle out to sea from Huntington Harbour, so treat it as a closed loop of canals.
Rentals and lessons: Everyday California (16910 Pacific Coast Highway, Sunset Beach) rents paddle boards and kayaks for the harbour, with three-hour board rentals from around $35 at the time of writing. Paddlers must be 5 or older, and the shop lists itself as open Thursday to Sunday, so check before you go.
Good to know: The canals all start to look the same after a while. Keep a map on your phone, and note a landmark at your launch so you can find your way back.
Seabridge Park
Directions
Best for: families with young kids, a gentle first paddle. Flat water.
Seabridge Park (16252 Countess Drive) is a small neighborhood park at the west end of the harbour, at the end of Countess Drive. It has a shallow sandy beach, a playground, picnic tables and restrooms, which makes it the easiest harbour launch for a family outing. Locals sometimes call it one of the harbour’s “Mother’s Beaches” because of the shallow, calm water.
Where to launch: Carry your board from the parking lot to the beach and push off. The lot is small, but it’s easier than parking on PCH.
What to avoid: Stay out of any roped swimming area. Once you’re in the channel, keep well clear of boats: in the harbour, powerboats have the right of way.
Good to know: There are no lifeguards in the harbour, so kids should wear a life jacket on the board, and parents should stay close.
Davenport Beach and the harbour islands
DirectionsBest for: a quiet launch on the east side of the harbour. Flat water.
Davenport Beach Park (4031 Davenport Drive) is a tiny sandy beach on Davenport Island, one of Huntington Harbour’s five islands. It’s mostly used by locals, with shallow water, a playground and a few benches. From here you can paddle a loop around Davenport, Humboldt and Trinidad islands, where the canals are lined with homes and private docks.
Where to launch: Hand launch from the beach. Parking on the island is limited and residential, so don’t expect much room. If you can’t find a space, drive back to Seabridge Park or Sunset Beach.
What to avoid: Some of the bridges between the islands are low, especially around Humboldt Island. Kneel down to pass under them, and watch for boats coming the other way.
Good to know: No lifeguards here either. Keep at least 20 feet from private docks and boats, and never tie up to someone’s dock: the harbour’s rental shops ask paddlers to follow both rules.
Bolsa Chica State Beach
Directions
Best for: experienced paddlers and SUP surfers. Open ocean and surf.
Bolsa Chica State Beach runs about three miles along Pacific Coast Highway, from Warner Avenue south to Seapoint Avenue. California State Parks notes that its shallow-water breaks produce well-shaped, consistent waves, which is great for surfers and hard work for anyone still learning to stand on a paddle board. Expect to launch through shore break.
Where to launch: The north end, near Warner Avenue, is the closest to Huntington Harbour. Day use is around $15 per car on weekdays and $20 on summer weekends and holidays at the time of writing. The park is open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., and the gates close at 9 p.m.
What to avoid: Stay well clear of surfers in the lineup, and of any area the lifeguards have flagged for swimming. State Parks bans kayaks, inflatable rafts and other non-Coast Guard-approved floats on this beach. If you’re not sure your board is welcome where you plan to launch, ask at a lifeguard tower first.
Good to know: Dogs aren’t allowed on the sand or in the water here, only on the paved beach trail. Across PCH, the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve is a wetland for birds, not a paddling spot. Read how to paddle board in the ocean before you try the surf.
When to go
You can paddle Huntington Harbour year-round, but the water is never warm. NOAA’s nearest station in its water temperature guide, at the Port of Los Angeles just up the coast, averages about 58°F from January to April and about 64°F from August to October.
- Summer to early fall (July–October): the warmest water and the busiest harbour. Weekends bring more boats and rental traffic.
- Winter and spring: cooler water and quieter canals. Bigger winter swells make Bolsa Chica harder, but the harbour stays calm. You’ll want a wetsuit for much of the year; our wetsuit check uses water and air temperature to suggest what to wear.
- Time of day: mornings are calmest. The afternoon sea breeze can make the paddle back across the main channel a slog.
Planning a longer loop around the islands? Our Trip time calculator estimates how long a route will take at your pace.
Rules and safety in Huntington Beach
California treats a paddle board like any other vessel when you’re paddling outside a surf or swim zone. According to the state’s Division of Boating and Waterways:
- Life jacket: carry a US Coast Guard–approved life jacket for each person on board. Children under 13 must wear one while underway. See our pick of the best PFDs for SUP.
- Sound device: carry a whistle.
- After dark: have a white light, such as a bright flashlight, ready to show in time to prevent a collision.
Local rules and habits:
- 5 mph, no wake: Huntington Harbour has a 5 mph speed limit throughout, so it’s one of the calmer harbours in Orange County. Boats still have the right of way.
- No paddling to the ocean through Anaheim Bay. Paddle boards are prohibited in Sunset Harbor and at Sunset Aquatic Park.
- Blackball flags on the city beach: Huntington Beach lifeguards post yellow flags with a black circle where board surfing is banned. Stay out of those zones and leash your board.
- Water quality: after rain, check ocbeachinfo.com before you go. Runoff collects in harbours and near river mouths.
FAQ
Where can beginners paddle board in Huntington Beach?
Huntington Harbour. Rent at Sunset Beach on Pacific Coast Highway, or bring your own board to Seabridge Park, and stay inside the canals. The 5 mph limit keeps the water calm.
Can you paddle board from Huntington Harbour to the ocean?
No. The harbour’s only route to the ocean is through Anaheim Bay and Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach, and paddle boards are prohibited in Sunset Harbor. If you want to paddle in the ocean, drive to Bolsa Chica State Beach instead.
Do I need a permit to paddle board in Huntington Beach?
No. You don’t need a permit or registration for a paddle board in California, and launching in the harbour is free. You’ll pay for parking at the state beaches.
Can I bring my dog paddle boarding in Huntington Beach?
Not at Bolsa Chica or Huntington State Beach, where dogs aren’t allowed on the sand. The harbour beaches are calmer for a dog’s first paddle; read how to paddle board with a dog first, and bring a dog life jacket.
Is there anywhere similar nearby?
Yes. To the north, see where to paddle board in Long Beach for Alamitos Bay and Naples. To the south, try Newport Beach for its big, calm harbor, or Laguna Beach and Dana Point for coves and a sheltered harbor. Not sure what board to take? Our Board Fitter suggests a size for your weight and the water you’ll paddle.
