We moved back to Huntington Beach last year. Although I grew up here, I went to Stacy Jr. High and to Marina High School. Huntington Beach is a place I have loved and talked about and bragged about my entire life.
My favorite place is where the steps are, which is right next to the condos at Huntington State Beach. It is still very clean, they provide trash cans along with port-a-potty's and portable showers so you can wash the sand off before leaving.
They always seem to have something going on. There's plenty of vendors that set up on the beach right next to the pier.
There is a $15.00 parking fee though which is kind of a disappointment. I feel it's a little steep as a family just trying to go to the beach for the day has to pay $15.00.