By Elizabeth Kang
Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach is my family’s newly-discovered favorite beachside-resort in the Southern California area.
This newly remodeled Surf-City gem is a sprawling oasis of endless Summer fun, with numerous pools, waterslides, onsite shopping, restaurants, bike rentals, and even a kids’ club and spa. Although it’s near plenty of attractions (just a 30-minute drive from Disneyland, near numerous beaches, shopping, state parks, hiking trails, and more,) the resort offers so much in the way of entertainment and fun, there’s really no need to even leave the property to enjoy a fantastic Summer getaway. Check out my three-night, fun-filled itinerary for an overview of all the family friendly activities offered at the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach.
FRIDAY
3 p.m. Check-in to your spacious, newly remodeled room. Bright and clean, with room to spread out, the accommodations at the Huntington Beach Hyatt are impressive. With a huge walk-in closet, oversized bathroom, and upscale, modern finishes, rooms at this resort are a breath of fresh ocean air.
4 p.m. Explore! Take a walk around this sprawling resort to get your bearings, and be sure to stop and admire the stunning fountains, gorgeous lobby and hidden pathways. Check out the onsite shops to pick out memorabilia and gifts to bring home, or perhaps the sunscreen and hat you may have forgotten to pack.
5:30 p.m. Dinner at Pete’s Sunset Grille. With three onsite restaurants, plus room service and a poolside snack bar, there’s plenty of variety to keep everyone happy and satisfied. For a casual dinner with a fun and modern surf-side theme, grab a table at Pete’s Sunset Grille. Enjoy Pete’s legendary fish tacos, or a juicy burger, along with kid-friendly favorites.
7 p.m. S’mores on the beach! For an additional fee, Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach will set up a complete private s’mores service on the beach, including your own personal s’mores assistant, who sets up a cozy fire, chairs, blankets, and a s’mores and hot chocolate station, along with anything else you may need. It’s the perfect (and most delicious) way to wind down the day and take in a stunning beachside sunset.
SATURDAY
9 a.m. Breakfast at Watertable. Enjoy an elegant al fresco breakfast at the Hyatt’s stunning onsite restaurant, Watertable. With rich wood beams and exotic accents, this upscale restaurant is full of style, with a modern-contemporary menu to match. Watertable lays out a sumptuous breakfast buffet worth waking up for, or guests can choose from the regular breakfast menu (Chicken & Waffles was superb.)
11 a.m. Bike about town! Guests can conveniently rent beach cruisers, children’s bikes, helmets and all the gear needed right onsite at Toes On the Nose Surf & Bike. Take your rentals for a spin along the paved beach path, or ride into town to explore. (Toes On the Nose Surf & Bike also provides surfboards, bodyboards, wetsuits, and more.)
12 p.m. Lunch Seaside. Park your bike rentals and enjoy lunch on the town at one of Huntington Beach’s numerous fun and casual hot spots along the Pacific Coast Highway.
1 p.m. Poolside Cabana Time. Treat you and your family to a relaxing, private cabana by the family pool for an afternoon of shaded respite (for you,) and exciting pool time (for the kids.) Completely fenced in and secluded, the family pool is a wonderful way to while-away an afternoon. It offers a shallow baby pool, large family pool and hot tub, along with three separate waterslides, plus poolside service, and (inside the cabanas,) a television and refreshments.
6 p.m. Dinner in flip flops. Who would have guessed that some of the most delicious pizza in SoCal is tucked away inside a resort? Surprisingly enough, that’s exactly what to expect when ordering a giant slice (or a whole pie) from Tower 15 Pizzeria, which serves up cheesy thin-crust slices, along with fresh salads, sandwiches and pasta, in a fast-casual environment.
SUNDAY
9 a.m. Breakfast in Bed. Take advantage of in-room service and order an indulgent breakfast in bed on your last day — you’re on vacation, after all!. The family can stay in their jammies and linger in bed just a little bit longer.
11 a.m. Picnic on the Beach. Pop into the Hyatt’s convenient Surf City Grocers to pick up gourmet grab-n-go fare for a beachside picnic, including sandwiches, salads, and bottled drinks. Afterward, head over the Hyatt’s beach-access bridge to enjoy some beachside fun-in-the-sun. Don’t forget to rent some boogie boards for the kids at Toes On the Nose Surf & Bike!
2 p.m. Retail Therapy. After everyone’s had enough sand and sun, head back over the bridge to do a little shopping at the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach’s cute little shops, and be sure to purchase a keepsake to remind you of your trip, such as an ornament, plush doll, or t-shirt.
3 p.m. Spa & Camp Hyatt. Now’s the time to take advantage of the fantastic Camp Hyatt kids’ club (ages 3-12) and enroll your children for some fun, supervised interactive time while you enjoy the soothing Pacific Waters Spa. The kids’ club does require a 24-hour advanced reservation, but a little planning ahead is worth some much-needed adult time.
6 p.m. Date Night. While the kids are safe and secure at Camp Hyatt, enjoy a romantic date night dinner at Watertable. Conveniently located on the property (in case you need to zip back to the kids’ club,) Watertable is the perfect romantic choice for your last night in Huntington Beach. Enjoy an upscale meal and perhaps a bottle of local wine while watching the sunset, and savoring your last night in Huntington Beach.
