I ♥ HB

There is no season that makes me reminisce the way summer does--not winter with its Christmas or spring with its...well, nothing really . Maybe because I grew up in Huntington Beach, summer always brings back memories of being a kid.  Back then, Huntington Beach was still a small beach town and just a suburb of Los Angeles.  My house was surrounded by strawberry fields, a ditch, and a drive in movie.  

My friends and I would--as predicted in our yearbook inscriptions--spend the whole summer at the beach. One of our moms would drop us off in the morning with $5 for strips from Jack's and an Orange Crush and wouldn't pick us up until late in the afternoon when we were shivering, exhausted our feet still covered with sand--but utterly happy. 

I don't live in HB anymore, but I find myself there all the time.  I take my kids to the beach there.  I go to Surf City Nights.  I walk through downtown and point out to my husband the places where the landmarks of my childhood used to stand. "This is where The Golden Bear used to be," pointing to the big pink and teal condo complex, and "This used to be Safari Sam's," as we walk by the Surf Museum.  "Remember when Duke's used to be Maxwell's?" I ask my mom over dinner. I can still see them standing there even though they are long gone.

I love HB.  It will always be "home" to me no matter where I live.  

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I told you summer makes me reminisce.  Here are some other things I've done this week:

My photo for Orange County Daily Photo is from the Huntington Beach Pier. I suspect it might be only a picture an OC native would appreciate.  

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I posted on my blog at The Orange County Register this story about my first job in at KFC in Huntington Beach.  (Which included 'the biscuit story.')

I got it bad.

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To me, Cheap Trick is quintessential summer music.  I remember cruising down Beach Boulevard in my brother's green Pontiac Duster listening to this 8-Track.  

"Surrender, but don't give yourself away"

Comments

[Hippo Brigade]

I too love the HB. Except my memories are filled with awkward first dates and a time or two where I've had too much to drink at Fred's Cantina. Good times.

[Cara]

Were I am from we always went to the Shore in the summer and I love going back to Sea Isle and reminiscing about the places we use to go and the thing we use to do. Some of my best childhood memories are from the summer time.

[Jen & Bern]

I think dog beach is calling your name!

[Mental P Mama]

Sigh. Just wonderful.

[Joe Sweden]

Cheap Trick ROCKS!!
I remember Maxwell's.

[Jason]

You make me want to go there. I have spent very little time in HB, but a lot more time in Redondo Beach--my brother in law used to live there.

[chrome3d]

You make it look so lovingly nostalgic in your photos with hues from the decades long gone.

[Lin]

I love HB! It's my favorite place to hang out. I love that everything is around the pier. If you want burgers they're there, Mexican food & ice cream too...it's great!

[Amanda Thiessen]

Thanks for becoming a fan Suz!!!! :)

P.S. This picture is awesome!

[Elaina]

Great picture! I didn't grow up there of course. I grew up in Orange as I like to tell people all the time. But I spent long summer days in HB. When I was in jr. high and high school I went with our youth group. I still remember the exact spot we used to pick to the right of the pier. We ate at the same fast food place (Taco Bell -- that's no longer there)and yep, I got $5 bucks too. And every time we went, we always did the same thing after lunch (walk through the shops and look at the same danged stuff we saw every week). Those were the days. :)

[noe noe girl]

Never been there but now I want to go!
Just love hearing about childhood memories.

[Dandy]

I grew up in Huntington Beach as well. I miss the old beach city feel. I was sad when the drive in shut down, I remember Maxwells and I cried when they put in the Pier Plaza. Concrete! Concrete?

But I still love it. I love it. I love that picture you posted, the effect is nostalgic and marvelous!

[Andy]

Great photo. I miss old HB. I miss the feeling of the small town we used to have. I know I still go downtown a lot still, but it's not the same.

[sandie]

great memories! i remember meeting some boys in high school from the east coast, and them saying "you live in a resort town!"...i was like WHAT!?!?!
it is fun to tell people the beach was your baby sitter during the summer growing up :)

[kasey]

I'm so glad i found your blog...
off to peruse.
xo

[Andrea]

Ahhh. I love my old home too! I find myself missing HB more than the old SF days of our 20's. I love sharing HB with my guys when we go and visit grandma. Although, when the little punks look at me like I am a tourist I want to let them know I really am a local, but then that would make me look like a bigger dork.

[Peace Love and Momminess]

Lucky gal growing up in HB! Calling it home for 10 yrs myself, I see your infatuation. So laid back and love the easygoing feel. Cheap trick for sure and green tones in photo are great.

[Heather Toller, mom of two awesome kids]

I love to read your blog! I am also a flip flop wearing, Balboa loving, former HB girl who loves to take pictures and watch Pretty in Pink! (RIP John)

[fancy feet]

I can FEEL the nostalgia. I am right there with you with much sighing and reflecting. Beautiful.

[NAT]

Great post! I can just taste those strips now!