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Huntington State Beach

4.7 ★★★★★ 9,154 Google reviews · Running trail in Huntington Beach, California · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Mixed
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from Huntington State Beach's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.

MixedScenicRestroomsTrailhead parkingQuiet

A popular surfing destination, this sandy 121-acre beach also offers a 8.5-mi. paved trail.

What runners say about Huntington State Beach

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (9,154 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 12 mentions

“Beautiful, peaceful beach—well-maintained and relaxing We visited Huntington State Beach on 12/30/25, one of our final stops during our 1-year anniversary vacation.”

🏞️ beautiful scenery 9 mentions

“Beautiful, peaceful beach—well-maintained and relaxing We visited Huntington State Beach on 12/30/25, one of our final stops during our 1-year anniversary vacation.”

🌾 quiet & peaceful 7 mentions

“Beautiful, peaceful beach—well-maintained and relaxing We visited Huntington State Beach on 12/30/25, one of our final stops during our 1-year anniversary vacation.”

This beach is a true coastal gem, known for its sparkling clean sands and crystal-clear waters. It's incredibly well-maintained, offering a safe and relaxing environment for everyone. Along the shore, there are volleyball courts where people gather to play under the sun, adding energy and fun to the atmosphere.

★★★★★ — Zuhir , May 2025

Very nice walking spot as well as to see the beautiful scenery of ocean view! Everything is very bright if the weather permits and it’s feeling amazing being there! Come visit and enjoy nature! Cheers

★★★★★ — Mr. , Jul 2025

Beautiful and clean beach. Not much people were there the day we went. I like how they have bike lanes along the coast so you can bike without worrying about traffic, and even closer to the beach there is a paved road to walk/run.

★★★★★ — Joy , Mar 2025

We spent three peaceful mornings at Huntington Beach for a kids’ boogie board camp and had a great time as a family. The camp was held near the Huntington Beach volleyball courts. Daily parking is $15 with re-entry allowed, but if you have a California Explorer Pass, entry is free.

★★★★★ — Ray , Jul 2025

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 9,154 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🅿️ Trailhead parking 11 mentions

“The parking is reasonable for the day and it’s right up against the sand so you don’t have to carry all your gear down or up a hill.”

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🏞️ Scenic views 10 mentions

“Beautiful, peaceful beach—well-maintained and relaxing We visited Huntington State Beach on 12/30/25, one of our final stops during our 1-year anniversary vacation.”

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🤫 Quiet / uncrowded 6 mentions

“Beautiful, peaceful beach—well-maintained and relaxing We visited Huntington State Beach on 12/30/25, one of our final stops during our 1-year anniversary vacation.”

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🛣️ Paved surface 5 mentions

“A wide, well-paved walking path runs parallel to the beach—perfect for morning jogs, leisurely strolls, or walking your pet while enjoying the fresh sea breeze.”

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🚻 Restrooms 2 mentions

“Has bathrooms if needed and a pay to enter location so it’s not full of rowdy ruffians.”

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🪵 Boardwalk

“Ive lived here now for 2 years, I ride the boardwalk several times a week.”

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Plan your run at Huntington State Beach

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • SurfaceMixed — more than one surface along the route, so check the segment you plan to run
  • DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
  • At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
  • Websiteparks.ca.gov
  • Phone+1 714-536-1454

Hours

Monday 6 am–10 pm
Tuesday 6 am–10 pm
Wednesday 6 am–10 pm
Thursday 6 am–10 pm
Friday 6 am–10 pm
Saturday 6 am–10 pm
Sunday 6 am–10 pm

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find Huntington State Beach

21601 Pacific Coast Hwy, Huntington Beach, CA 92646

Get directions

Running trails near Huntington Beach

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

Talbert Regional Park

4.4 ★★★★☆ 201 reviews

Costa Mesa, CA

ScenicDog-friendly

Park divided into 6 areas by plant groups to showcase diverse habitats along the Santa Ana River.

1.5 miles away

Talbert Nature Preserve

4.3 ★★★★☆ 42 reviews

Costa Mesa, CA

ScenicDog-friendly

Public park with diverse greenery & a pond, plus a pedestrian trail system & biking area.

1.6 miles away

Vista Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 349 reviews

Costa Mesa, CA

ScenicDog-friendly

Park featuring a playground and benches, plus picnic tables and grills.

1.7 miles away

Canyon Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 507 reviews

Costa Mesa, CA

ScenicDog-friendly

Basic park set in a residential neighborhood, with a playground, picnic tables & open green space.

1.9 miles away

Santa Ana River Trail - Mile Marker 2

4 ★★★★☆ 2 reviews

Huntington Beach, CA

Paved

2.1 miles away

Sunset Ridge Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 360 reviews

Newport Beach, CA

ScenicDog-friendly

Tranquil park boasting baseball fields, a play area, grassy lawns and views of the ocean.

2.2 miles away

All running trails in Huntington Beach, CA →

Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.