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River Jetties

4.9
·49 reviews·Newport Beach, United States

A beautiful, less crowded beach in Huntington Beach known for gentle surf waves, abundant wildlife, and stunning sunset views.

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Weekday mornings

Fewer crowds, better parking

CrowdLow
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River Jetties - Image 1

River Jetties

Best Time

Weekday mornings

Fewer crowds, better parking

CrowdLow

Highlights

Must-see attractions

A beautiful, less crowded beach in Huntington Beach known for gentle surf waves, abundant wildlife, and stunning sunset views.

4.9
(49 reviews)

"Best beach I have ever been to in Cali! It is such a beautiful place to go watch the sunset."

Vertical photo
TIP

Shuffle Your Feet! :athletic_shoe:

Always shuffle your feet when walking in shallow water to avoid startling stingrays.

Parking Patience 🚗

Street parking is free but limited. Arrive early or be prepared to search.

Third hero image

Quick Facts

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Surfing Waves

Surfing Waves

Near the jetties

Gentle, consistent waves make it ideal for learning to surf or longboarding.

Instagram+1
Wildlife Sightings

Wildlife Sightings

Ocean waters

Keep an eye out for seals and dolphins playing in the surf.

Reddit
Sunset Views

Sunset Views

Beachfront

A stunning spot to watch the sunset paint the sky over the Pacific.

Reddit
Stingray Encounters

Stingray Encounters

Shallow water

Thousands of stingrays can be seen close to shore, a unique wildlife experience.

TikTok
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Planning Your Visit

Stingray Awareness

Be mindful of stingrays, especially in shallow waters. Shuffle your feet when walking in the water to avoid stepping on them. While sightings are common, stings are rare but painful. TikTok

Parking & Access

Street parking can be limited, especially on weekends. Arrive early or consider the paid lots. The jetties themselves can be uneven, so wear appropriate footwear. Reddit

Best Times

When
Weekday mornings
Why
Fewer crowds, better parking
Crowd
Low
When
Late afternoons
Why
Golden hour for photos
Crowd
Medium
When
Winter mornings
Why
Clear skies, fewer people
Crowd
Low

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

INCHES AWAY from THOUSANDS OF STINGRAYS?!?! #stingray #stingrays #stingraysquad #surfersworstnightmare #santaanariver #riverjetties #rivermouth #rivermouthbeach #surfer #surfing #ocean #oceanlife #huntingtonbeach #hb #stingraysting #oceananimals #fun #danger #hurt #pain #upclose #bolsachica #bolsachicabeach
@thatsurfguy_
9.5K likes • 116.4K views

Shuffle Your Feet! :athletic_shoe:

Always shuffle your feet when walking in shallow water to avoid startling stingrays. TikTok

Parking Patience 🚗

Street parking is free but limited. Arrive early or be prepared to search. Reddit

Santa Ana River, SoCal 2/6/24 #orangecounty #southerncalifornia #flood #santaana #rain #atmosphericriver
@sean.chandler
453 likes • 41.2K views
River jetties looked gloomy but had a few runners. Can’t wait for more this summer!! #learningvideo #surfvideos #riverjetties #surfing #surfer #huntingtonbeach #socal #jklingphotos #jklingvideos
jklingphotos
14 likes • 400 views

Surf's Up! :surfboard:

Great spot for beginner surfers and longboarders. Instagram+1

Pack a Picnic :sandwich:

Limited food options nearby, so bring your own snacks and drinks. TikTok

Feeshin at little river jetties 🎣 hooked into a ocean monster 🎣 #Feeshin #letsgofeeshin #littleriverjetties
shawn.lowry2
4 likes • 194 views

Tips

from all over the internet

Shuffle Your Feet! :athletic_shoe:

Always shuffle your feet when walking in shallow water to avoid startling stingrays. TikTok

Parking Patience 🚗

Street parking is free but limited. Arrive early or be prepared to search. Reddit

Surf's Up! :surfboard:

Great spot for beginner surfers and longboarders. Instagram+1

Pack a Picnic :sandwich:

Limited food options nearby, so bring your own snacks and drinks. TikTok

Respect Wildlife 🐬

Observe seals and dolphins from a distance. Reddit

What Travellers Say

4.9
(49 reviews)

Reviews Summary

Visitors rave about River Jetties for its beautiful, clean, and spacious beach with great waves for surfing. The limited crowds and easy street parking (when available) are significant draws, making it a favorite for watching sunsets and spotting wildlife like seals and dolphins. Some find the parking challenging, and the presence of stingrays requires caution.

"Lovely beach with limited street (free) parking. Was able to find it three of the four times we went over the weekend. Goregous, clean, and pretty empty in January. Still warm and captivating. We saw seals AND dolphins!! Can't wait to come back."

Violet

"Best beach I have ever been to in Cali! It is such a beautiful place to go watch the sunset. I go at least once a week. The best part is the parking. Street parking is so easy and free. They do have 2 paid parking lots if needed. It is also a great place to learn how to surf. The waves are so gentle."

Marsha G

"Beautiful place, tons of sand, bigger than average waves (in between Huntington and Newport beaches) not too crowded."

Jonathan Webber

What People Like

Beautiful and clean beach
Great surfing waves
Less crowded

What People Dislike

Limited parking
Stingray caution

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

River Jetties is located in Huntington Beach, California. You can reach it by car via Pacific Coast Highway. Parking is available on the street and in paid lots. Reddit

While direct public transport to the jetties is limited, you can take local bus routes that stop near Huntington Beach and then walk or take a short ride-share to the jetties. Check local transit schedules for routes. TikTok

Street parking is free but fills up quickly, especially on weekends. Arrive early in the morning or on a weekday for the best chance. Paid parking lots are also available. Reddit

Occasionally, there might be construction or maintenance work near the jetties, which can affect access or the surfing conditions. It's always good to check local advisories if possible. Instagram

Yes, the jetties are accessible after rain, but the water quality might be affected. The scenery can be dramatic, as seen in some social media posts. TikTokInstagram

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

No, River Jetties is a public beach and does not require tickets for entry. Access to the beach and jetties is free. Reddit

River Jetties is a public beach and is generally accessible from sunrise to sunset. There are no specific operating hours posted for the beach itself. Reddit

There is no entrance fee to access River Jetties beach or walk on the jetties. Parking fees may apply if you use the paid parking lots. Reddit

Typically, dogs are not allowed on Huntington Beach, including River Jetties, unless they are service animals. Always check local ordinances for the most current rules. Reddit

General beach rules apply, such as no fires on the beach. Surfing and swimming are permitted, but always be aware of ocean conditions and potential hazards like stingrays. TikTok

🎫 🏄 Onsite Experience

The waves at River Jetties are generally considered gentle and consistent, making them excellent for beginner surfers and longboarders. InstagramReddit+1

You might spot seals and dolphins in the water. Thousands of stingrays are also commonly seen in the shallow areas near the shore. TikTokReddit

River Jetties is often described as less crowded than neighboring beaches, partly due to limited parking. Reddit

Comfortable beach attire is recommended. If you plan to walk on the jetties, consider shoes that can handle uneven surfaces, as flip-flops might not be ideal. TikTok

Public restrooms and outdoor showers are typically available at Huntington Beach access points, including near River Jetties, for rinsing off sand and saltwater. Reddit

🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining

There are no direct food vendors or restaurants on the jetties themselves. You'll need to head into Huntington Beach or nearby areas for dining options. TikTok

Huntington Beach offers a wide variety of dining, from casual beachside cafes to upscale restaurants. The pier area also has several options. Reddit

Yes, picnicking is allowed on the beach. It's a good idea to bring your own food and drinks as amenities are scarce directly at the jetties. TikTok

Many visitors enjoy the casual beach vibe with options like fish tacos or burgers in Huntington Beach. Reddit

It's not advisable to leave perishable food out for extended periods, especially in warm weather, due to potential spoilage and hygiene concerns. Instagram

📸 📸 Photography

The 'golden hour' before sunset offers beautiful lighting. Early mornings can also provide soft light and fewer crowds for unobstructed shots. Instagram

You can capture surfers catching waves, dramatic ocean vistas, wildlife, and the unique textures of the jetties themselves. Instagram+1

Be mindful of the tide and waves when setting up your gear. Consider a wide-angle lens for landscapes and a telephoto lens for wildlife. Instagram

Yes, but be cautious and maintain a safe distance. Capturing them in their natural habitat can be a unique photographic opportunity. TikTok

For surfing, use a fast shutter speed to freeze action. For landscapes, consider aperture priority mode to control depth of field. Instagram

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