Huntington Beach, nicknamed “Surf City”, is one of those California beach towns that is all about fun and relaxation. It’s 8.5 miles of beaches draw millions of visitors both from the state and abroad. And of course it’s a surfers’ paradise, hence the moniker “Surf City”.

One Friday afternoon soon after work, I decided on the spur of the moment to drive to Huntington Beach – to check it out – as I had never been. In the crazy Los Angeles area traffic it took me almost 2 hours to get there (about an hour on the way back, with scant traffic). Once I got there, I could see why so many are drawn to the this quintessential California beach town.

Its pier, one of the longest on the West Coast, is a great spot to soak in the ocean views. Its Surfing Walk of Fame is a trek through surfing glory and history. It has surf shops, bars and restaurants galore. Some of those bars are beyond cool, with their unique decors. And above all, the people – the people – all laid back, relaxed – in chilled vacation mode.

That’s essentially what Huntington Beach is all about.

HERE’S MY LIVESTREAM ON PERISCOPE OF HUNTINGTON BEACH

I have been fortunate enough to have traveled to more than 100 countries and all 50 states of the United States of America, driven by my love of travel, to see other places in the world and experience other cultures.

One of the main travel questions I get is about money. People think travel is expensive and that it can’t be done unless you have a lot of money. True, it takes money to travel, but not as much as people think. If you are not the type who needs a fancy hotel and creature comforts, you can travel for long periods – for years – on a budget.

You can teach (I taught English in some countries, both on my own and with a company and it paid well). But there are many other things you can do to save money and even make money.

I tell you how to travel longterm and save money in this video I did live on YouTube. Click on the link, check it out.

Or SUBSCRIBE to my YouTube channel for more travel tips and experiences.

Poland To Portugal: The Big Hitchhike Across Europe

HONG KONG

I have visited Hong Kong three times between the early 1990s (when it was still under British rule) and 2016 and always enjoyed the city. It’s a bustling, fascinating metropolis of cultural contrasts, poverty and wealth. The food – if you figure out where to eat – can be amazing as well. Definitely go. For a taste, check out this fantastic video by National Geographic.