8 Restaurants and Happenings in HB That We Can’t Wait to Check out This Summer
With its famous surf and glorious sunshine, Huntington Beach is undoubtedly an endless summer type of city. Your obligatory HB summer to-do list will of course include the Fourth of July parade, plenty of visits to the ever-exciting Bella Terra shopping center and s’mores at the beach fire pits. But even though summers feel endless here, that doesn’t mean Surf City, USA is stuck in a rut—this year the city is switching it up! Here are eight things that will definitely be on our summer bucket list for 2023.
What’s New at Bella Terra
Rebranding Puesto at Bella Terra
When: Summer 2023
Prepare your taste buds for an extraordinary culinary adventure as the acclaimed team behind Puesto Mexican Artisan Kitchen & Bar unveils their latest creation: Marila’s Mexican at Bella Terra. This eagerly awaited new restaurant, which opened its doors in late May, promises to bring the warmth and comfort of home cooking to the vibrant coastal community of Huntington Beach. Marila’s Mexican will occupy the same space previously held by Puesto, encompassing an impressive 7,600 square feet. With a keen eye for capturing the essence of the city, the restaurant’s design will mirror the allure of Huntington Beach, incorporating organic shapes, natural materials and serene blue tones reminiscent of the area’s expansive beaches. Eric Adler, Co-Owner of Marila’s Mexican by Puesto, explains the deep connection between the restaurant and the Huntington Beach community, “Marila’s Mexican draws inspiration from the values and integrity that define this remarkable community, principles that have been ingrained in our family for generations.” DIg in to dishes like the fresh fish Tuna Tostada, sizzling Fajitas Fundidas and a variety of taco plates.
Summer Markets and Events at Bella Terra
When: Select dates
Looking for a way to spend a day out with friends or family? Swing by Bella Terra for one of their fun summer events! Catch one of the Maker Markets for unique and creative goods from some of SoCal’s small businesses along with kids activities and live music and entertainment. The Third Friday Concert Series is a great way to spend a warm summer evening on The Green or in The Garden with a brew and a bite to eat. Other fun and exciting events include the Friday Night Market (July 7), the Summer Bubble Party and the Back-to-School Carnival.
Classic Events, Reimagined
US Open of Surfing
When: July 29 – Aug. 6, 2023
Summer in Surf City just isn’t complete without a renowned surf competition!. Cerveza Pacífico Clara (better known as Pacifico) has become the US Open of Surfing’s new title sponsor and has been joined by IMG and World Surf League. We can’t wait to see what fresh ideas Pacifico will bring to this iconic HB event!
8/22
Bella Terra’s Surf City USA Surf Shack
When: Summer 2023
Who doesn’t enjoy a cute photo op? After Memorial Day weekend, Bella Terra will be debuting a new photo setup that both locals and visitors will love. The Bella Terra “Surf City USA Surf Shack” will be full of cute and summery photo moments and feature a Volkswagen Bus! Whether you want to get a solo shot or pose with your boo, friend group or family, this new backdrop will be the perfect setting for a photo that’ll capture your fun-filled summer.
Pacific Airshow 2023
When: Sept. 29-Oct. 1, 2023
The Pacific Airshow is more than a typical airshow—this exceptional, spectacle-scale event honors aviation’s remarkable accomplishments while showcasing a thrilling lineup of entertainment, sports, art and technology. This year will feature a wide range of events, including beachside music festivals with plenty of VIP offerings and, of course, heart-pounding aerial displays by the world’s top flight teams right over the ocean. Perfect for aviation buffs or those who simply want to see some unbelievable aerial stunts, we’re sure this classic Huntington Beach event will be a summer highlight even if the season has technically just wrapped up by then.
Kids Club at Bella Terra
When: Every Monday from 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Proudly sponsored by MemorialCare Health System, the Kids Club at Bella Terra is the perfect way for kids to enjoy crafts, storytime, performances and other fun activities out on The Green near the movie theater. Each Kids Club program is designed to promote positivity, curiosity, enrichment and creativity while stimulating developmental skills. Space is limited, so be sure to save a spot and RSVP!
8/15
Get Your Sea Legs
When: All summer long
After a day on the sand, you deserve to grab a bite to eat and say cheers to summer at SeaLegs at the Beach! Some of our favorite food orders include the SeaLegs burger, fried chicken strips and French toast sticks. For drinks, you can’t go wrong with a watermelon margarita or a Bolsa Chica peach iced tea. Other fun events at SeaLegs include Brunch With the Beatles every Sunday, Date Nights every Friday and Doggy Dog Brunch on Saturdays.
Discover Graceland Speakeasy
When: All summer long
Huntington Beach’s Main St can draw a year-round crowd thanks to its charming businesses, Tuesday farmers markets and weekend art fairs—but if you want to spice up your summer date night with something unexpected, there’s no better place to go than Graceland Speakeasy . Located inside HQ Gastropub, Graceland offers a chic and intimate atmosphere with gourmet bites, hand-crafted cocktails and retro tunes. The speakeasy accommodates guest walk-ins and offers private memberships too.
Born and raised near the Pacific Coast, Jordan Nishkian is a California girl through and through. She graduated from Cal State Long Beach with a BA in Creative Writing and a BA in Anthropology, and her favorite place to be is curled up in a comfy chair with a book in her hand and a pen in her hair.
