California Beaches Blog

Sunset Beach shown in the photo above, is known for its sunsets and views of Catalina Island.

Sunset Beach, CA–The seaside hamlet, an unincorporated community of over 1,000 residents and celebrities such as Sandra Bullock & Jesse James, may become a part of Huntington Beach. A recent study paid for by community citizens assessed the viability of forming Orange County’s 35th city, and rumors have it that it is not looking likely Sunset Beach will be able to sustain its independence. While Sandra Bullock has not been seen in Sunset Beach since her break up with Jesse James after she won an Oscar for her performance in the movie “Blindside”, other actors who wish to remain in cognito have been observed coming & going in a place that provides more anonymity than Hollywood, Beverly Hills and Santa Monica.

One resident reported that it is going to be quite expensive for the community to form its own city and provide services for residents that are currently contracted  (trash, water, beach maintenance, lifeguard service.) Sunset Beach requested Seal Beach absorb it into their city, and they declined.

Sunset Beach is located north of Huntington Beach and south of Seal Beach along Pacific Coast Highway and fronting the Pacific Ocean. Its land is primarily a one mile strip of beach with several rows of houses along the beach and a greenbelt. There also is a small parcel of land across Pacific Coast Highway called Sunset Island. That location is home to the Sunset Beach Women’s Club where some community events are held. The town  has many beachfront vacation rentals, several hotels, lots of old-time bars, restaurants, a car wash, dry cleaners, gas station and more. Residents must get their mail from the Sunset Beach Post Office, as there is no home mail delivery.

If Huntington Beach proceeds to annex Sunset Beach, that city will begin the process of taxing the hotels a Transient Occupancy Tax, the numerous vacation rentals would be required to begin paying some sort similar tax, and the businesses would be required to purchase licenses operating under the City of Huntington Beach. The studies on cost effectiveness of absorbing Sunset Beach haven’t been published, but it is likely that Sunset Beach would become an asset for the city, adding over 1,000 new, permanent residents, close to 100 businesses, and at minimum, 120 extra hotel rooms. And if Sandra Bullock should move back in, she might even get the key to the city of Huntington Beach as its most famous resident! That’s a bragging right that remains illusive at this point.

More to come!