HotelTonight – Beautiful Hotels in Sunset Beach
As one of Orange County's most idyllic beachfront communities, Sunset Beach absolutely deserves its status as a desirable vacation destination. Who wouldn't want to retreat to the sun-soaked West Coast for a few days of fresh ocean air and miles of white sandy beaches? I have traveled up and down the coast of California, but I have found few beaches as beautiful and as serene as Sunset Beach, which is why I was so glad I had the chance to plan a last-minute Sunset Beach getaway last month. As soon as I looked at my calendar and noticed that I had a free weekend, I knew exactly where I wanted to go. Without thinking twice, I pulled up the HotelTonight app on my phone and searched for Sunset Beach hotels. A few taps on my phone later, I had a lovely hotel waiting for me on the edge of the West Coast, steps away from the sand. I hastily packed a bag and started daydreaming of my long, leisurely days at this California beach, because thanks to HotelTonight I was able to spend less time hassling over travel plans and more time envisioning the perfect coastal getaway.
The Beach
It probably goes without saying, but Sunset Beach is best known for its beach. As one of the widest beaches in California, Sunset Beach offers seemingly limitless space for walking, running, lounging and playing. Because the beach is so wide, it rarely feels crowded. Often times, I felt as if I had my own private beach, which made me really sink into vacation made. There's nothing as calming or as rejuvenating as a weekend at the beach, so I closed my eyes, felt the warm sun on my skin and let the sound of the waves give me a new energy.
The Pier
One of my favorite things to do in Sunset Beach is to wander down to the Huntington Beach Pier, a quintessential California wooden pier that provides an unparalleled spot for taking in the sunset. California sunsets are some of the most beautiful sunsets in the world, in my opinion, and some of the absolute prettiest California sunsets I've seen have been from the Huntington Pier. That said, the pier is also a great place for a stroll no matter the time of day, because it always offers great vistas of the land and sea.
Huntington Harbor
Huntington Harbor never fails to make my jaw drop. The canals of this picturesque harbor are lined with beautiful waterfront homes and filled with boats, kayaks and stand-up paddleboards. It feels like a serene (yet very ritzy) island oasis, and I love exploring the harbor by kayak or stand-up paddleboard whenever I visit. It's a great way to see the beautiful sights of the area while also feeling like you're just another local enjoying their one-of-a-kind neighborhood.
Seal Beach
Just north of Sunset Beach is Seal Beach, which features more beautiful beach real estate as well as a charming little Main Street that I frequented for meals and shopping. There are over 100 local shops in this downtown area of Seal Beach, but the streets don't feel crowded or busy – they offer a true laidback beach-town vibe that I found infectious. Whenever I was looking for a great place to eat or some cool boutiques, I simply wandered over to Seal Beach's Main Street.
Water Excursions
There's a reason why beach vacations are so popular – there is something so healing and calming about the ocean. Whenever I find myself in Southern California, I always want to spend as much time near the water as possible, so I can never resist a good water excursion. Fortunately, there are plenty in and around Sunset Beach. This Orange County hotspot offers great whale watching and dolphin watching excursions, as well as sunset cruises and fishing. If you have a craving to get out on the open ocean, there's definitely some type of excursion you'll enjoy from Sunset Beach.
HotelTonight – Find Your Perfect Sunset Beach Hotel
Sunset Beach, California remains one of the prettiest, most picturesque coastal communities I've visited, and it holds such a special place in my heart that I already know I'll return someday in the future (hopefully the near future). I feel like an entirely different person after spending a couple of days at Sunset Beach. I'm calmer, more relaxed and much happier, and I chalk it up to the magic of the ocean. Next time I'm feeling stressed or overwhelmed by the hustle and bustle of daily life, I'll pull up my HotelTonight app and search for hotels in Sunset Beach. I can rest easy knowing that a last-minute getaway is always just a few clicks away, and that I have the freedom to take spontaneous trips whenever I want to thanks to my favorite new travel resource, HotelTonight.
