Huntington Beach, California

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Huntington Beach, is a seaside city in Orange County, in southern California. The coastal town is known throughout the world as "Surf City, USA", despite a rivalry with the northern California town of Santa Cruz over the moniker. The name "Surf City" is so ingrained in Huntington Beach that the Los Angeles Times often uses the term as a first reference in articles about the Orange County beach town.

Related Topics:
Orange County - California - Rivalry - Santa Cruz - Moniker - Los Angeles Times

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As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 189,594. It is bordered by the Pacific Ocean on the southwest, by Seal Beach on the northwest, by Costa Mesa on the east, by Newport Beach on the southeast, by Westminster on the north, and by Fountain Valley on the northeast.

Related Topics:
2000 - Pacific Ocean - Seal Beach - Costa Mesa - Newport Beach - Westminster - Fountain Valley

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It is known for its long 14 km (8.5 miles) beach, mild climate, and excellent surfing. The waves are a unique natural effect caused by edge-diffraction of ocean swells by the island of Catalina, and waves from distant hurricanes. Because of the unique curve of the coastline at Huntington Beach, the local beach actually faces southwest. The beach is very brightly lit by the sun, and the sunlight pleasantly falls over the shoulders of surfers facing the beach. In summer, the southwest-facing beach often has very strong surf from hurricanes off the Mexican coast. Hurricanes rarely hit California because of the cold off-shore current.

Related Topics:
Surfing - Catalina

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Huntington Beach incorporated in 1909 under its first mayor, Ed Manning. Its original developer was the Huntington Beach Company, a real-estate development firm owned by Henry Huntington, a railroad magnate after whom the city is named. The Huntington Company is still a major land-owner in the city, and still owns most of the local mineral rights. The city's first high school was built in 1906. The high school's team, the Oilers, are named after the city's original natural resource.

Related Topics:
1909 - Henry Huntington - 1906

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The climate is generally sunny, dry and cool, although evenings can be excessively damp. In the morning and evening, there are often strong breezes, 15 mph (25 km/h). Ocean water temperatures average 55 to 65 °F (10 to 15 °C). In the summer, temperatures rarely exceed 85 °F (25 °C). In the winter, temperatures rarely fall below 55 °F (10 °C), even on clear nights. There are about 10 inches (250 mm) of rain, almost all in mid-winter. Frost occurs only rarely on the coldest winter nights.

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Huntington Harbour

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The harbor entrance is sometimes restricted by the US Navy, which loads ships with munitions at the Seal Beach Naval Weapons Station to the north of the main channel.

Related Topics:
US Navy - Seal Beach Naval Weapons Station

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