Elmira Ave, Huntington Beach

I had the opportunity to attend a summer barbeque at some friends who live on Elmira Avenue in Huntington Beach. It’s typical of the quiet, older neighborhoods that are adjacent to the downtown and within walking distance of the pier. There many smaller, bungalow style houses interspersed with modern renovations that, while beautiful, seem a little out of place. My friend’s neighbors run the gamut from older surfers, to retirees, to young couples – a great street for people watching and enjoying some diversity. All of them were quite nice.

Everyone seems to appreciate the ideal location and it’s obvious that they do what they can to take advantage of their close proximity to all things that Surf City has to offer. We were just a short walk from Main Street, a 5-block long feast for the senses with an eclectic selection of restaurants, bars, and surfer dives.

With the beach so close, a daily or walk or bike ride would almost always have to include a trek down the bike-pedestrian trail that lines the beach. In fact, I could spend the better part of the week without ever getting in my car as most everything - groceries, entertainment, sports park, exercise, social activities – is within walking distance.

If I needed to stock up once every few weeks or so, I could venture down to the nearby Big Lots store or drive a little further into central Huntington Beach where there are unlimited shopping choices, otherwise, I’d just stay on foot or bike.