Huntington Beach is an ocean town in Orange County, California. According to the 2020 Census, the number of people living in Huntington Beach is 198,711.[1] This makes it one of the largest cities in Orange County in the number of people, or population. It is has the Pacific Ocean on the southwest, Seal Beach in the northwest, Costa Mesa to the east, Newport Beach on the southeast, Westminster to the north, and Fountain Valley to the northeast.
Huntington Beach is well known for its 8.5 mile (13.7 km) strip of beach running down the west side. The beach is a very good place for surfing. Several surfing meets are held there each year.
The beach is named for Henry E. Huntington, the head of the Pacific Electric Railway. The PE served Huntington Beach for many years.
Jack Kelly, most noted for the role of Bart Maverick on the Maverick TV series; during the 1980s and early 1990s, he served as city councilman and mayor in Huntington Beach.[7]
Jason Lee, actor, title character in TV series My Name is Earl, grew up in Huntington Beach and attended Ocean View High School.[8]
Huntington Beach is the home to pro skateboarders Christian Hosoi, Geoff Rowley,[9] Arto Saari,[10] Tosh Townend,[11]Mark Appleyard,[12] Brian Sumner,[13] Ed Templeton,[14] and Nyjah Huston.[15]
Former NHLhockey player John Blue is from Huntington Beach,[16] as is professional soccer player Sacha Kljestan.
Collin Balester, baseball player, attended Huntington Beach High School[19]
Hank Conger, baseball player, attended Huntington Beach High School.
Ric Drasin, artist, actor, stuntman, writer, personal trainer, bodybuilder, and professional wrestler[source?]
Bill Green, former U.S. record holder in hammer throw, fifth place in 1984 Summer Olympics, lived in the Seacliff area of Huntington Beach 1999–2006.
Jessie Godderz, professional bodybuilder with the World Natural Body Building Federation, contestant on Big Brother 10 and Big Brother 11[20]
Julio Cesar Gonzalez, boxer, 1996 Olympic Games athlete for Mexico, WBO light-heavyweight champion 2003, attended Edison High, was killed in 2012 by a drunk driver in Baja, Mexico.
Tony Gonzalez, formerly of the NFL's Atlanta Falcons, attended Huntington Beach High School.[21]
Jeff Kent, retired baseball player and recipient of baseball's 2000 National League MVP award, was raised in Huntington Beach and attended Edison High School.[23]
The rock/metal band Avenged Sevenfold grew up and currently live here. Lead guitarist Synyster Gates has said he enjoys nothing more than cruising Huntington Beach on his chopper.[30] Former drummer The Rev was buried here following his death.
Dean Torrence, from the 1960s pop group Jan and Dean, who co-wrote "Surf City" (#1 in 1963), said that Huntington Beach embodies the song's spirit of freedom and California fun.[33]
Christian Jacobs, the MC Bat Commander of The Aquabats, lives in Huntington Beach.[34]
Matt Costa, folk pop singer, was born in Huntington Beach.[35]
(Hed) P.E., a punk rock/hip hop group, was formed in Huntington Beach.
The Vandals, a punk rock band formed in Huntington Beach[36]
Alien Ant Farm lead singer Dryden Mitchell lives in Huntington Beach.
David Silveria, formerly from the rock band Korn lives in Huntington Beach.[37]
↑Carpio, Anthony Clark (August 15, 2013). "Surfing champ Townend honored". Huntington Beach Independent. p. A4. Archived from the original on July 13, 2014. Retrieved August 24, 2013.
↑Larsen, Peter (August 19, 2007). "Monsters of kids' rock". Orange County Register. Archived from the original on December 1, 2008. Retrieved March 25, 2008.