This bird's eye view of Huntington State Beach in Huntington Beach, Calif. shows Pacific Coast Highway and two entrances to the state park.

Huntington Beach State Beach Aerial Image

Huntington Beach --In this close view of Huntington State Beach (SB), you may be able to notice two roads leading into the beach. One entrance shown on the left is Brookhurst Street crossing Pacific Coast Highway (PCH). The other road is Magnolia St. which crosses over to the beach. Magnolia Street experiences a pervasive problem with water quality and should be monitored before you go swimming there. (healthebay.org). Check the beach report card for this beach designated by city and street, so you'll be assured that the water is OK for swimming.

The photo above shows the flat, sandy beach fronting the Pacific Ocean.  To the far right is Santa Ana River crossing into the ocean and beyond that begins the beach residences and beaches of Newport Beach. Here's another aerial view.

For large picnics and gatherings, your best bet for finding parking is Huntington State Beach pictured. 

Next to the beach is a over 30 miles of paved bicycle trails that run along the Santa Ana. Santa Ana River Trail heads from the beach to north Orange County. If you prefer the beach path for riding a bike, you can chalk up around 10 miles of bike riding by doing a loop from this vantage point to Sunset Beach to the north, back, passing the Huntington State Beach, then down the Newport Beach / Balboa Peninsula near the Wedge and back to your starting point.