Things to do / Travel Guide
Address:285 Pacific Coast Hwy.
Huntington Beach, California
Our Sports Superfan Says:
Huntington Beach is the kind of place where surfing, sunning, and swimming are the prime beachside activities. It should hardly come as a surprise, therefore, that the professional beach volleyball tour (AVP) makes a stop here every May. The AVP Huntington Beach Open is a four-day event that lasts almost all day, every day, for a long weekend in the sand.
Huntington Beach is about one third of the way between Los Angeles and San Diego, near Long Beach, on the southern California coast. Even if volleyball isn't your thing, Huntington Beach boasts the largest public pier on the United States' west coast. Its famous surf, which gives the town its trademarked name of Surf City, gives the beach its reputation for offering some of the best surfing anywhere in the world. There are also parks, a lively downtown area, and plenty of dining and cultural spots in the vicinity.
Even if you are not here during the volleyball tournament, there are plenty of other special events at Huntington Beach throughout the year. There is a national paintball tournament in March, an Independence Day parade in July, a parade of boats in December, and various surfing competitions all year long, among others.
But if you come when the Huntington Beach Open is in session, you're sure to be occupied over the weekend. Qualifying matches start at 8 a.m. Thursday, and main draw events at 9:30 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. The concluding rounds begin at 9:45 a.m. on Sunday, with the finals beginning at 2:30 p.m.. There are both men's and women's competitions, with competition ending at around 6 p.m. each evening. Tickets for the tournament are available at student, general, or courtside rates, with group rates also available.