Discover Huntington Beach
40 carefully curated photography spots with GPS coordinates, shooting tips, and local insights
Main Street Huntington Beach
Main Street Huntington Beach is a lively beachfront promenade with surf culture, colorful shops, bars, and the iconic pier as a coastal backdrop. Photograph street life, surfers, sunsets over the Pacific and pier silhouettes. Best at golden hour and blue hour; weekday mornings are quieter. Plenty of public parking lots; wheelchair-accessible boardwalks. No entry fee; expect street performers and seasonal events that add atmosphere.
Surfing Walk of Fame
Photograph bronze plaques, surf culture scenes and the pier backdrop along Huntington Beach’s Surfing Walk of Fame. Best at golden hour for warm light on plaques and long shadows; sunset captures silhouettes of surfers and the pier. Easily accessible from Main St; street parking and nearby paid lots. No entry fee. Expect crowds evenings and weekends; dogs, bikers and skateboarders add candid street-life opportunities.
Huntington Beach
Broad sandy beach, Huntington Beach Pier, lively boardwalk and surf culture — ideal for sunrise/sunset seascapes, action surf shots, and candid street scenes. Visit at golden hour for warm light; weekdays or early mornings reduce crowds. Paid parking along Pacific Coast Hwy and municipal lots; busy on summer weekends and July 4 (fireworks draw crowds). Restrooms and bins at main access points. No entry fee; casual beach rules apply.
City Beach
Wide sandy shoreline with dunes, strong surf and a nearby wetlands pocket—great for dramatic surf, wide seascapes and marsh birdlife. Best at sunrise or sunset for warm side-light and long shadows; evenings produce vivid skies. Accessible by a paid beach parking lot with restrooms; expect weekend crowds in summer. No special entry permits for casual photography; watch tide charts and bring wind protection for gear.
Harbour View Park
Small bluff-top park overlooking Huntington Beach pier and wide Pacific horizon — great for surfers, coastline panoramas, dramatic sunsets, and long exposures. Easy street parking and wheelchair-accessible paths; no entry fee. Visit at golden hour or shortly after sunrise for soft light and fewer people. Coastal breezes and changing tides affect composition; weekdays are quieter.
Pier Plaza and Amphitheatre
Bustling beachfront plaza and small amphitheatre at Huntington Beach Pier — ideal for pier silhouettes, colorful sunsets, surf and crowd scenes, live-music and drum-circle shots, and lifestyle portraits of beach cruisers and dogs. Best light is golden hour and after-sunset blue hour; mornings are quieter for long exposures. Easy public access off CA‑1 with paid parking nearby, wheelchair ramps at the plaza, no entry fee but events can fill the space on weekends and summer evenings.
Huntington Beach Wetlands Conservancy
A restored coastal wetland behind Huntington Beach pier offering tidal channels, salt marsh, boardwalks and abundant shorebirds — ideal for intimate nature and waterscape shots. Best at sunrise or late afternoon for warm side light and reflections; winter/spring brings peak migration. Accessible trails and a short boardwalk; free entry but limited parking along Pacific Coast Hwy and nearby lots — arrive early on weekends. Low-impact behavior is required to protect wildlife.
Talbert Marsh
Talbert Marsh is a coastal freshwater-salt marsh corridor with tidal channels, reed beds and open mudflats—excellent for birdlife, reflections, minimalist marsh landscapes and intimate nature details. Best at sunrise or late afternoon for warm side-light and low tide reflections; migratory birds peak in winter/spring. Trails and a small parking lot off Goldenwest/Seapoint provide easy, flat access; bring bug spray and water. No entry fee; respect posted wildlife closures and keep dogs leashed.
Prince Park
Small beachfront park with swaying palms, grassy dunes and direct views of the Pacific and Huntington Beach pier — ideal for surf, sunset and coastal landscape shots. Best at golden hour and blue hour for warm skies and reflections on wet sand; weekday mornings are quieter. Easy access from Venture Dr and nearby Pacific City parking lots; paved paths and lawn areas are wheelchair friendly. No entry fee; bring wind protection and a polarizer for glare. The local surf culture and lifeguard towersa
Haven View Park
Small hillside park overlooking Huntington Harbour and marina channels — ideal for water reflections, sailboats, palm silhouettes and warm sunset skies. Easy, free access with street parking; wheelchair-accessible paths. Best at golden hour and blue hour for colors; weekdays are quieter. No fees; respect residential neighborhood and leash rules for dogs.
Seely Park
Small bluff-top park overlooking the Pacific with grassy picnic areas, coastal trails and panoramic ocean views. Ideal for sunrise and sunset seascapes, long-exposure surf shots, and compositions using dune grass or bluff edges as foreground. Accessible from Surfcrest Dr with limited parking and street parking; weekdays and golden hours offer best light and fewer crowds. Clear winter days can yield dramatic sky and distant Catalina views.
Davenport Beach
Long sandy shore with low bluffs and frequent surfers; wide vistas of the Pacific, dramatic skies at sunset, and foreground wet sand and tide-line textures make for strong compositions. Best at golden hour and low tide for reflections and exposed rock; parking nearby on Davenport Dr (street parking/lot), easy access but watch for stairs and soft sand. Popular with locals—weekday mornings are quieter.
Seabridge Park
Small harbor-front park with a sheltered cove, picnic areas, mature shade trees and a pirate-themed playground. Shoot water reflections, boat masts and intimate beach scenes; evenings offer calm night vistas and sunrise/sunset color over Huntington Harbor. Easy street parking, restrooms and showers onsite; weekdays and early morning are quiet. Respect nearby homes—keep noise low.
Leslie Prince Park
Small coastal park with direct Pacific and Bolsa Chica wetland views — ideal for sunrise/sunset seascapes, birdlife and wetland reflections. Easy access off Venture Dr with a small parking area and paved paths (no fee). Best at golden hour for warm light and low tides for exposed sand/reflective pools. Weekday mornings are quieter; paths are mostly accessible for carts/wheelchairs.
Shipley Nature Center
Small 18-acre fenced preserve with mixed habitats—wetlands, woodland, native gardens—ideal for close-ups of wildflowers, butterflies, shorebirds and tranquil pond scenes. Open limited hours (typically Tue/Fri/Sat 9am–1pm; summer evenings 4:30–7:30); suggested $3 donation. No pets/bikes; parking nearby. Easy, compact site perfect for short sessions near Huntington Beach with volunteer guides and interpretive displays.
Urban Forest
Compact, well-maintained urban woodland with themed gardens, labeled specimen trees, winding trails and lake-adjacent views. Offers close-up nature shots (hummingbirds, insects), intimate landscape scenes and occasional horses from the adjacent equestrian center. Small parking (4 spots on Ellis); better to arrive early, on weekdays or park at Central Park/Goldenwest and walk in. Leashed dogs allowed; coyotes reported—stay aware. Best light: golden hour and soft overcast for foliage detail. No/fe
Lake View Park
Small urban lake with reed-lined shore, walking paths and abundant waterfowl — ideal for reflections, close-up bird shots and quiet landscape frames. Best at golden hour (sunrise or sunset) for warm side lighting and mirror-like water; weekdays or early mornings reduce crowds. Easy street parking near Zeider Ln, no entry fee; paths are flat and accessible. Bring insect repellent in warm months. No special permits for casual photography.
Trinidad Park
Small harbor-front park with palm-lined shore, marina views, tidal channels and walking paths — good for peaceful waterscapes, sunset reflections and intimate coastal landscapes. Visit at golden hour (sunrise or sunset) for warm light and calm water; weekday mornings are quieter. Easy access with free street parking and no entry fee; flat paths and picnic areas make equipment transport simple. Expect local dog walkers and boating activity that add human interest.
Humboldt Park
Small beachfront park with direct Pacific access and views of surf, dunes and distant shoreline; great for sunrise/sunset seascapes, surf action and coastal birdlife from nearby wetlands. Easy street and small lot parking, public restrooms, wheelchair-accessible paths. Best at golden hour or low tide for wet-sand reflections; weekdays and early mornings cut crowds. No entry fee.
Edinger Parkway
Edinger Parkway runs west toward Huntington Beach, offering beach access, palm-lined roadways, coastal vistas, and nearby Bolsa Chica wetlands. Best at sunrise and golden hour for warm light and dramatic skies; sunsets over the ocean are strong too. Easy, flat access — plenty of street and lot parking, bike-friendly paths. Weekdays and early mornings reduce crowds. No permit for casual shooting; drone use restricted near the coast and wetlands — check local rules.
Gibbs Park
Small coastal park adjacent to Bolsa Chica wetlands offering marsh vistas, pond reflections, and abundant shorebirds — good for intimate nature and sunrise/sunset shots. Best at golden hour or early morning for soft light and active birds; weekdays reduce crowds. Easy flat trails, street parking on Graham St and small lots; wheelchair accessible paths. No entry fee. Combine with nearby Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve for extended shoots.
Friendship Garden
Small, tranquil garden in Huntington Beach with ponds, ornamental bridges, sculptures and seasonal plantings—ideal for intimate nature and detail shots. Visit at golden hour or overcast mornings for soft light; spring yields peak blooms. Accessible paths, free parking in nearby Central Park, no entry fee; weekdays are quieter. Compact layout rewards close-ups, reflections and framed compositions.
Talbert Park
Talbert Park offers open grassy flats, riparian channels and scrubby dunes at the edge of Huntington Beach — great for wide coastal landscapes, intimate nature studies and long golden-hour skies. Easy access from Magnolia St with street parking and a small lot; paths are flat and stroller-friendly. Visit at sunrise or late afternoon for warm sidelight and long shadows; weekdays are quieter. No permit needed for casual photography; watch for seasonal wetlands and local wildlife.
Brookhurst Marsh
Brookhurst Marsh is a small coastal wetland with tidal channels, mudflats and dense reed beds—prime for shorebirds, waders and reflective waterscapes. Photograph birds, textures of marsh grass, and colorful sunsets over shallow ponds. Best at golden hour and low tide for exposed mudflats; migration seasons (spring/fall) increase species variety. Accessible via nearby street parking; short dirt trails and viewpoints—wear waterproof shoes and expect mosquitoes in summer. Weekday mornings are quiet
Sully Miller Lake
Small, tidy urban lake with calm water, reeds and surrounding parkland—great for reflective water shots, birdlife close-ups, and quiet landscapes away from Huntington Beach crowds. Best at sunrise or golden hour for soft light and reflections; weekdays and early mornings are least crowded. Easy roadside parking and paths; no entry fee. Bring polarizer for reflections and telephoto for birds. Respect local rules and keep noise low to not disturb wildlife.
Adventure Playground
A compact, hands-on play space with a shallow pond, rope bridge, plastic-lined mudslide, treehouse platforms and fort-building areas — great for dynamic action, candid kid portraits and textural close-ups. Best visited weekday mornings or early afternoon in summer (open June–Aug, Mon–Sat 10:00–16:00) to avoid crowds; soft light under the trees reduces harsh shadows. Entry ~$4/child; closed-toed shoes required. Small parking lot nearby; bring cash/card. Respect privacy and staff rules; changing/
French Park
Small neighborhood green space with lawns, mature palms and oak-lined paths near Huntington Harbour and Bolsa Chica. Good for low-key landscape, environmental portrait and golden-hour shots; easy access, free street parking, no entry fee. Visit at sunrise or late afternoon for warm side-light and long shadows; weekdays have fewer families. Flat paths and open sightlines make compositions simple; nearby wetlands and the harbor add variety when included in frames.
Circle View Park
A small neighborhood green space with circular layout and mature shade trees — good for intimate landscape and urban-park shots, candid portraits, and golden-hour skies. Easily accessible from Willett Ln with street parking and flat, wheelchair-friendly paths. Visit at sunrise or late afternoon for warm side light and fewer people; weekends can be busier with families. No entry fee.
Perry Park
Small neighborhood park with lawns, mature trees, walking paths and a playground — good for candid family, park landscapes and sunset light. Visit golden hour for warm backlight on palms and softer shadows; weekdays and early mornings have few people. Easy street parking and flat, accessible paths; no entry fee. Coastal air brings dramatic skies in late afternoon; bring a reflector for portraits.
Triangle Park
Small triangular green in a residential block with mature trees, a quaint Main Street Library (with historical photos in the lobby) and easy street parking. Good for intimate park scenes, dog portraits, architectural details of the library and candid neighborhood life. No public restrooms; accessible on foot or by car. Visit at golden hour or quiet weekday mornings for soft light and few people. Be aware of occasional encampments; keep gear secure.
Hope View Park
Small neighborhood park with a modern playground, wide grassy lawns, seasonal flowers and a memorial tree — good for intimate landscape, child-play and nature detail shots. No restrooms; street parking only. Visit weekday mornings or late afternoon for soft light and fewer families. Limited shade on playground; dog-friendly and family-oriented atmosphere makes candid life-of-community images possible.
Bauer Park
Small neighborhood park with twin playgrounds, open lawns and magnolia trees—good for candid family and play action, close-up nature shots, and low-key golden-hour scenes. Easy access from surrounding streets but limited parking and no restrooms; best light at sunrise or late afternoon on weekdays to avoid families. Paved paths and shaded benches offer compositional anchors; bring water and wipes.
Wind River Park
Small neighborhood park along a landscaped creek channel with palms, ponds and walking paths — good for intimate waterscape reflections, birdlife and candid community shots. Best light is golden hour (sunrise/sunset) for warm tones and long reflections; weekday mornings are quieter. Easy street parking, no entry fee, paved paths and ADA access in parts. Compact size makes it a quick stop combined with nearby Huntington Beach coastline.
Lambert Park
Small neighborhood park with open lawns, mature trees and community amenities offering clean compositions, intimate nature scenes and environmental portraits. Best at golden hour for warm side light and long shadows; weekdays and early mornings have fewer people. Easily accessible with street parking and no entry fee; paths and flat terrain make gear transport simple. Expect typical Southern California light and local families—respect privacy during community use.
Franklin Park
Small community park with open lawns, mature trees, playgrounds and sports fields — good for environmental portraits, family scenes and sunset light. Visit golden hour for warm side light and long shadows; weekday mornings are quieter. Park is free, has on-site parking and level paths for easy access; popular with locals so expect families and dog walkers.
Schroeder Park
Small neighborhood park with lawns, mature trees, palms and a playground—good for intimate landscape, family lifestyle and nature shots. Easy free entry with street parking; paved paths and benches make accessibility simple. Best light is early morning or late afternoon for warm side-light and long shadows; weekdays are quieter. No entry fee; expect local families and dog walkers.
Carr Park
Small neighborhood park with open lawns, mature trees, picnic areas and playground equipment — good for compact landscape, environmental portraits, and candid family/street-style shots. Visit golden hour for warm side-light on trees and long shadows; late afternoon in summer gives best light. Easy access with street parking and small lot; free entry and paved paths make it wheelchair- and tripod-friendly. Weekdays and early mornings are quiet; bring a polarizer for greener foliage and to cut sky
Arevalos Park
Small neighborhood park with open lawns, mature trees and palm silhouettes — good for family portraits, casual landscapes and sunrise/sunset color. Easily accessible with street parking, paved paths and no entry fee. Best at golden hour for warm light or blue hour for silhouettes; weekdays and early mornings reduce crowds. Flat terrain and benches offer simple compositions and environmental portraits.
Booster Park
Small, quiet neighborhood park a two-minute walk from Huntington Beach access. Shoot playground details, low grassy foregrounds and candid family moments; include the nearby beach and sky for coastal context. Best at golden hour or early weekdays for soft light and no crowds. Street parking; no on-site restrooms (port-a-john at the beach access). Easy accessibility, no entry fee.
Tarbox Park
Small, well-kept neighborhood park with open lawns, mature shade trees, a playground and paved pathways — strong for lifestyle, portrait and small-scale landscape shots. Visit at golden hour or late afternoon for warm directional light and softer shadows; weekdays or early mornings minimize families and activity. Free public access with street parking and a small lot; paved, mostly flat paths are wheelchair-friendly. Useful for environmental portraits, kid/candid photography, and practicing low‑