Surfside Neighborhood Guide

Researching Surfside neighborhood in Huntington Beach California? Here is a complete guide with the most up to date information about Surfside neighborhood!

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Overview

ABOUT Surfside

Surfside is a quaint gated neighborhood of oceanfront homes located in southern Huntington Beach. Surfside began as a beach resort in the late 1920s and has since evolved into a small neighborhood of about 187 homes and 450 residents. Homes in the Surfside community range in size and style from small beach bungalows to large high-value homes. Most homes in Surfside offer a breathtaking view of the Pacific Ocean and Santa Catalina Island.

The Pacific Coast Highway runs along the neighborhood, so residents enjoy easy commutes along the coast and into central Los Angeles. Although Surfside is a tranquil neighborhood, residents have easy access to a number of parks, shops, restaurants and more. There are plenty of places to enjoy the outdoors, get some exercise or go for an exciting day trip. As an added bonus, the Pacific Coast Bike Trail begins just five minutes east of Surfside, so residents can bike, run or walk along the beautiful Pacific coastline.

Surfside is a small community with a population of about 450 residents. The community is made up of 75% full-time residents, with about 25% of residents living there seasonally or part-time. The average age of Surfside residents is about 59, which is older than the average Huntington Beach age of 41. About 50% of Surfside residents have received a bachelor’s degree or higher, and the average household salary is about $78,393. Residents of Surfside enjoy being outdoors, spending time on the beach and exercising. The many parks, nature reserves, beaches and recreation centers reflect this appreciation of nature and fitness.

TOP Surfside HIGHLIGHTS

Oceanfront living
Great dining options
Easy commutes
Top ranked schools
Parks and recreation centers
Watersports
Favorable safety statistics
Scenic views

Natural Disasters

Because Surfside is largely surrounded by the Pacific, high winds, high surf, and high precipitation levels are year-round concerns.

Between 1950 and 2010, floods comprised roughly 30% of reported weather extremes. From there, thunderstorms and hail storms accounted for about 40% of damaging weather conditions.

Surfside is largely removed from directly experiencing wildfires, but being a part of California means the air quality of this neighborhood may still be heavily affected by widespread fires.

Additionally, the local earthquake index of 76.51 is important to keep in mind. This index is high relative to both California’s and the U.S. index, which means tremors occur very frequently in this neighborhood.

Commute

Surfside is a gated neighborhood that’s conveniently set alongside the Pacific Coast Highway. Residents of the neighborhood enjoy easy commutes for work, school and leisure. The neighborhood is ideal for those who commute for work, and it’s a quick 45-minute drive into central Los Angeles, a 25-minute drive into Long Beach and an hour and a half drive to San Diego.

For those who work closer to home, Huntington Beach is a short 15-minutes away along the Pacific Coast Highways. Eco-friendly residents who enjoy getting more exercise can also bike into Huntington Beach along the Pacific Coast Bike Trail that starts at the Bolsa Chica State Beach.

Crime Rate

Because this corner of California’s total crime rates fall almost 15% below the country’s average, Surfside’s safety statistics are largely attractive.

Surfside’s estimated property crime rate is about 10% below the national average. For reference, the odds of experiencing a property crime in Surfside are 1 in 50. Additionally, violent crime in Surfside falls roughly 45% below the country’s average rate. The chances of being the target of a violent crime in this neighborhood are roughly 1 in 470.

On a statewide level, local crime rates fall 20% below California’s reported averages. Overall, this neighborhood can be seen as more secure than roughly 50% of neighborhoods on a national level.

Education

SCHOOLS IN Surfside

Surfside residents are served by two prestigious school districts: the Huntington Beach City School District and Los Alamitos Unified School District. Although there are no schools within the community of Surfside, the neighborhood is conveniently located near numerous top-rated schools.

Residents can have their pick of both public and private schools that serve students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. Harbour View Elementary, Marine View Middle School and Coast High School are all great options for students who want to be challenged academically while participating in enriching extracurricular activities.

Local private and public schools are staffed by skilled teachers who encourage students to develop their academic, athletic, artistic and social skills.

Schools

ELEMENTARY
Harbour View Elementary: Harbour View Elementary is the closest elementary school to Surfside. Harbour View serves students from kindergarten through fifth grade. Students are encouraged to excel academically while developing problem-solving and collaborative skills. The school also offers a before and after school daycare where students can take part in a variety of activities and receive extra help with homework. McGaugh Elementary: McGaugh Elementary is a 20-minute drive from Surfside in Seal Beach. The school has programs from kindergarten through fifth grade. McGaugh has been honored five times as a California Distinguished School. The school offers a rigorous academic program and an excellent staff of educators. Students who attend McGaugh are prepared to excel in any future academic and creative challenges.
MIDDLE
Marine View Middle School: Marine View Middle School is a 10-minute drive from Surfside and is located next to the idyllic Marine View Park. Students attend the school from sixth until eighth grade. Apart from the regular curriculum, students of Marine View are encouraged to participate in a variety of academic, athletic and creative extracurricular activities. Mesa View Middle School: Mesa View Middle School is a short 15-minute drive from the Surfside neighborhood. The school has been recognized as a California Distinguished School for the academic achievements of its students. Mesa View offers a rigorous academic curriculum as well as a variety of student enrichment activities.
HIGH
Coast High School: Coast High School is an excellent choice for students who want an alternative to traditional high school. The school allows students to choose between a traditional program and an independent study option. The traditional program includes face-to-face courses held Monday through Friday. The independent option allows students to complete their coursework online while receiving support from teachers as needed. Marina High School: Marina High School is a short 15-minute drive from Surfside and is the closest high school to the neighborhood. Students of Marina High are encouraged to participate in extracurricular activities, and an impressive 80% of students are involved in sports, clubs and enrichment activities.
PRIVATE
Saint Bonaventura Catholic School: Saint Bonaventura is a great option for parents who want their children to receive a faith-based education. The school is a 10-minute drive from Surfside and serves students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. Students receive a Catholic Christ-centered education featuring excellent academic and extracurricular programs. LePort Montessori Huntington Harbor: LePort Montessori is perfect for parents who want their children to receive a head start in their schooling. The school offers a daycare, preschool and elementary school program. Students are encouraged to explore a variety of subjects while collaborating with classmates and using their creativity.

Real Estate

Surfside Housing 2020

Surfside continues to be a desirable neighborhood due to its laid-back atmosphere, oceanfront properties and close proximity to major cities. The median sale price of attached home units in Surfside has increased from $610,000 in April, 2016 to $670,000 in January 2019. Real estate trends in Surfside and the surrounding city of Huntington Beach have shown a 17% increase in the average sale price over the past five years.

The biggest increase in property value was seen in four-bedroom homes where the average price went from $780,000 in 2014 to $915,000 in 2019. However, sale prices for two-bedroom homes have increased the least with sale prices going from $425,000 in 2014 to $533,500 in 2019. Rent prices in Surfside have also seen a steady increase in the past five years and are expected to increase further as more residents are choosing to rent their homes.

Surfside Homes for Sale

Surfside is a small gated neighborhood that’s made up of about 187 housing units. The homes in Surfside vary greatly in size, style and price. Small beach cottages sit alongside bungalows and three-story high-value homes. Despite the variety available, Surfside is predominantly made up of condominiums and other attached units.

The attached units available in the Surfside Boardwalk gated community fall under a homeowner association, and residents enjoy a variety of amenities, including a pool, recreation areas, barbecues and picnic area. Apart from attached units, there are also large detached family homes available to buy. These high-value homes range in price from around $800,000 for two to three-bedroom homes to over $6,000,000 for larger beachfront homes.

Most homes in Surfside have three to four bedrooms, although there are cheaper one-bedroom condominiums available. Housing in Surfside is in high demand, and the median sale price of homes in Surfside has increased from $610,000 in April, 2016 to $670,000 in January 2019.

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Things to do

Surfside is a scenic beachside community with a laid-back atmosphere. Although there’s not much to do in Surfside other than enjoy relaxing on the beach, there are plenty of activities in the local area. Local attractions include the Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge where residents can go on monthly tours or take part in volunteer workdays. If you follow the Pacific Coast Highway south, you’ll also find the beautiful Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve. For those looking for a fun way to exercise, there are plenty of places to kayak, surf and paddle board. Apart from the area’s natural beauty, residents also enjoy being in close proximity to the bustling city of Huntington Beach. They are also a 45-minute drive from central Los Angeles and a short 25-minute drive to Long Beach. Residents of Surfside can enjoy a huge variety of fine dining options and can have their pick of delicious local craft beers.
Relax on the beach
When you’re in Surfside, a trip to the beach is a must. Many residents of Surfside enjoy access to their own private beaches, but there are also plenty of public beaches that everyone can enjoy. Catch some waves and soak up some sun on nearby Seal Beach to the west or head to the closer Sunset Beach.
Dine out at a local restaurant
Surfside is close to many excellent restaurants and cafes. Residents can choose between Japanese, Mexican, Italian and Indian cuisine served by the locally owned restaurants located along the Pacific Coast Highway. There are also seafood restaurants and classic American spots found both in Surfside and in nearby Huntington Beach City.
Enjoy a weekend picnic
When it comes to finding the perfect place for a picnic, Surfside residents are spoiled for choice. Many residents head to their own community picnic areas where they can enjoy a tranquil atmosphere and an ocean view. For a change of scenery, there’s also Seabridge Park, Trinidad Park and Conrad Park.
Visit Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge
Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge is home to a number of threatened and endangered species. The refuge has a number of protected habitats, including tidal, sub-tidal and coastal salt marsh habitats. Visitors can join one of the monthly tours and can also take part in the volunteer workdays that are held on the first Wednesday of each month.
Learn to surf
Huntington Beach is also known as Surf City, and in the neighborhood of Surfside it’s easy to see why. Surfside has a number of local surf schools where you can take lessons, rent surf boards and socialize with fellow surfers. Caliblu Surf School is the closest school to Surfside and offers surf lessons seven days a week all year round.
Kayak or paddle board
Grab a kayak or paddle board and spend the day getting some exercise and enjoying the California coastline. Residents enjoy easy access to the Bolsa Chica Channel from Prince Park, French Park and Trinidad Park. There’s also the beautiful Anaheim Bay located at the westernmost point of Surfside.
Explore the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve
Follow the Pacific Coast Highway south from Surfside and you’ll find the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve. The reserve is a coastal estuary that covers about 1,300 acres of open water, mud flats, salt marshes, coastal dunes and more. The reserve is perfect for hiking, taking tours and just admiring the local wildlife.
Hike, bike or run along the Pacific Coast Bike Trail
The Pacific Coast Bike Trail starts at the Bolsa Chica State Beach and runs south to the Santa Ana River Trail. The trail is the perfect place to take a relaxing bike ride, stroll along the coast or go for a run. Residents of Surfside can also follow the trail into Huntington Beach City for a more eco-friendly commute.
Drink some local craft beer
Surfside is a true paradise for craft beer lovers. Head to Four Sons Brewing next to Lake Ranc in Huntington Beach to enjoy their signature beers or to try one of the seasonal brews. Beachwood Brewing and Riip Beer Company are two other local breweries that offer some of the finest beer in Orange County.
Take a day trip to Long Beach
For those who are looking for more of an adventure, the lively city of Long Beach is a short 25-minute drive away. For a day of culture, check out the city’s many museums, galleries and heritage centers. If you need a little retail therapy, Long Beach has a huge variety of locally owned stores and high-end boutiques.

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