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Huntington Beach: Orange County Real Estate in Southern California
By Sarah Dzida
 Homes for sale in the seaside city of Huntington Beach reflect real estate that is traditional but diverse in the steady suburban landscape of Orange County. The city is ripe with eclectic homes shaped by approximately 100 years of history, 8 miles of coastline and 200,000 residents.
The past and present real estate mix is most apparent in Downtown Huntington Beach´s beachside blend of houses, condominiums and apartments of all shapes, styles and maturities. Other Huntington Beach real estate is more uniform but the architectural designs depend upon a home´s age, owner and neighborhood.
Like many Orange County communities in Southern California, Huntington Beach real estate is dominated by individually owned houses. Luxury and middle class homes of one or two-stories are for sale in classic, suburban, neighborhood blocks that usually enclose a school and/or park at their center. Gated communities for luxury homes are not uncommon, especially near the beach, whereas planned town, condo, apartment and mobile home communities are available, but not to the same degree.
 Aside from real estate, Huntington Beach, also known as "Surf City USA," is full of beach and dry land activities. Well-maintained paths, particularly along the ocean, keep athletes of all calibers in tanned shape while a beach of smooth sand and a famous historic pier delight surfers and sunbathers. There are two major shopping and night destinations: Downtown Huntington Beach and Bella Terra, which cater to all ages through an assortment of boutiques, restaurants, and movie theaters. Downtown Huntington Beach also hosts a variety of street fairs.
As in other Orange County communities, Huntington Beach has a cultural heart found in the Central Library, its four offsite branches, and the Huntington Beach Playhouse that offer the public intellectual servings of literature, art and other new media. Additionally, there are 750 acres of city parks, which include the 350-acre Huntington Beach Central Park, and the Meadowlark Golf Course. The Huntington Beach Art Center, which exhibits work by contemporary artists, is also another important artery in the city´s cultural attractions.
Since its official incorporation in 1909, Huntington Beach has worn many faces as a farming community, beach resort, and oil town. Today, it is a lively city made up of unique real estate amidst the pivotal hustle and bustle of a diverse Orange County. |