Back to the Beach Festival
Warmer weather is on its way, and there’s no better way to kick off the sunshine seasons than with an RV trip to the Back to the Beach Festival in Huntington Beach, California!
Event information
Most people are beginning to shake off the winter blues with the arrival of warmer weather. Why not welcome it in style with a spring vacation to the Back to the Beach Festival? The weekend-long festival on Huntington State Beach in Huntington Beach, California, is an annual event that brings thousands of music lovers to the area.
In the past, standout bands such as The Wonder Years, The Used, and Blink-182 have graced the sandy beaches, as well as special guests that offer ultimate value for the price. This family event also provides plenty of fun entertainment for all, including an area for kids that’s fun and safe for children under ten accompanied by an adult.
There are competitive games for adults, prizes up for grabs, and exclusive Back to the Beach merchandise for people to remember their festival visit for years to come.
The Back to the Beach Festival is what brings people to Huntington Beach, California, but this seaside city in Orange County has a lot more to offer once the festival is over. You can hang out at the Huntington Beach Pier, visit the International Surfing Museum, or go surfing or longboarding at Bolsa Chica State Beach.
If you feel like getting out and about in nature, then the Bolsa Chica Wetlands, with numerous scenic routes and trails, is worth a visit in your motorhome. Or, why not go biking at Fairview Park and exploring at Talbert Regional Park?
The spring cleaning can wait. It’s time to begin your spring vacation, just in time for the Back to the Beach Festival in April.
Tickets
Back to the Beach Festival offers ticket options to cater to all kinds of festival-goers. Fans who like to take their festival experience to the next level can purchase VIP weekend tickets and single-day passes. General admission for one day and the full weekend is also available, and children under ten have traditionally been free with a paying adult.
Explore Back to the Beach Festival RV Rentals
Transportation
Driving
On any vacation, the drive should be as memorable as the destination, and that’s certainly the case when you navigate your way into Huntington Beach. Huntington Beach is a mere 35 miles from Downtown Los Angeles and is bordered by the Pacific Ocean and Bolsa Chica Basin State Marine Conservation Area. Due to construction requiring the vote of the people, the city retains uninterrupted views of the beaches and beyond, which allows for a pleasant RV journey into the city center.
The city limits are well planned out, with I-405, US-1, and California State Route 73, the most popular roads to travel. However, you can also plan out the best travel route for you with the help of Caltrans or a similar traffic resource.
Upon arriving in Huntington Beach, you will not have any trouble locating the Back to the Beach Festival site at 21601 Pacific Coast Highway.
Parking areas
There are paid parking areas available along the length of Huntington State Beach, but open spaces fill up fast. Parking spaces in this area are designed for small vehicles rather than large RVs, which will not fit within a single spot.
Public parking is also offered across the road from Pacific Coast Highway, but these areas may not be easy to access with a large motorhome, such as a ClassA or Airstream. Festival organizers advise attendees to consider alternative means of transport, such as rideshare or taxis.
Public Transportation
A bus service runs the length of the Pacific Coast Highway by Huntington State Beach, but its timetable may not align with the start and finish times of the Back to the Beach Festival. If you’d prefer not to align your time with a set schedule, then consider a rideshare service provider or taxi. Riders can also purchase a single-day or weekend shuttle pass for pick-up and drop-off services along the Pacific Coast Highway and Beach Boulevard.
Where to stay
Onsite
Huntington State Beach is a popular spot to relax and partake in recreational daytime activities, which means camping opportunities are not offered on site. While RV camping is allowed further up in the central beach, it’s not at the Back to the Beach Festival. Make a booking at an RV campground near Back to the Beach Festival to make the most of your visit.
Nearby
Camping and RVs are permitted at Huntington City Beach, the city’s central beach, but it can fill up fast. In most cases, it’s going to be worth your while to book accommodation at the same time as your Back to the Beach Festival tickets. Los Angeles / Pomona / Fairplex KOA is within 50 miles of the festival site as well. There are also RV campgrounds and resorts dotted along the Pacific Coast Highway from Newport Beach up to Sunset Beach.
Getting around
The easiest and best way to get around Huntington State Beach is on foot. It can be hard enough to walk in shoes on a sandy beach, let alone use roller blades, a skateboard, or scooter! Don your best pair of sandals or other comfortable footwear, and get ready for some of the best entertainment of the season on the beaches of California.
What to pack
Clothing
Huntington Beach is not known for its temperature extremes. It’s mild throughout the year, which means you can get quite creative with your attire choices. April doesn’t boast the sunniest weather, but past years of this festival have seen attendants more than comfortable in t-shirts, shorts, and light, long-sleeved shirts, too. Check the weather forecast before you leave home, just in case rain gives the need for a jacket or warmer layers.
Gear
You are going to need camping and cooking equipment on any RV vacation in California. However, while you’re at the Back to the Beach Festival, you can leave it safely tucked away in your RV. To get through the gates and into the festival, you will need your ticket. You may also bring in a plastic refillable water container, clear bags, a low-back chair, blankets, towels, and cash.
Glass, beach umbrellas, outside food and beverages, coolers, strollers, kites, tents, and bags of any kind (other than clear) are not allowed at the festival. Given the number of people who attend this festival, you will be more comfortable when you travel light. If you tire of carrying around the gear you do bring in, you can rent a locker for one or both days of the festival with a mobile charging pack included.
Health & Safety
Even though it’s spring, there’s every chance the sun will beat down on the crowded beaches. Don’t forget to bring sunscreen and apply it generously throughout the day. Bug spray, lip balm, and an empty water container to fill at the beach venue will all ensure you’re as comfortable as possible. If you require medication during the festival, make sure it has a prescription label that matches your valid ID.
Where to eat
Cooking
Outside food and drinks are not permitted at the Back to the Beach Festival, so there will be no opportunity to haul out your charcoal grill. When you arrive at your RV accommodation before or after the festival, it pays to check with your hosts to find out what cooking methods are allowed. Your RV kitchen appliances will offer the most convenience and versatility.
Those who are yet to do a grocery run will find there are plenty of convenience stores and supermarkets near Huntington State Beach. Some are even within a short five-mile driving distance of the festival for simplicity.
Restaurants
Spending all day outside dancing and enjoying the festival atmosphere can take a toll on your energy levels. It’s worth enjoying the best places to eat in Huntington Beach. Fortunately, given how famous the beaches are in this city, you will find many well-established eateries within walking distance of the festival. From sushi and Mexican to seafood and café delights, there is no shortage of hearty tucker to satisfy those hunger pangs.
Vendors
The Back to the Beach Festival does not allow outside food and beverages, but they are not going to let you go hungry. An eclectic mix of vendors lines the venue each year to provide hungry concert-goers with the best food to boost those energy levels. Make sure you bring cash, for not every vendor will accept payment cards. Attendees can select from an array of options, including vegan and vegetarian food, and cocktails, and beers for those with valid ID.
Safety
Security
Security officials will position themselves throughout the Back to the Beach Festival, including at the gates. When you present your ticket, a festival representative will check your bags and make sure you are not carrying anything that goes against festival rules. If you have any questions or concerns, approach a uniformed official at any time. You can also get extra assistance at the Huntington Beach Police Department within a short four-mile drive.
Weather
Huntington Beach, and surrounding cities such as Long Beach, Irvine, and Santa Monica, all enjoy mild temperatures, and spring is no different. Average highs and lows fluctuate between 55 degrees-Fahrenheit and 70 degrees, and rain is infrequent. The Back to the Beach Festival is a rain or shine event, so there should be nothing to put a dampener on your weekend.
Medical
Sun, sand, and much excitement over a full weekend can cause fatigue, dehydration, and a myriad of other health concerns. Fortunately, there will be trained medical professionals to help with health concerns. Approach any uniformed official to lead the way. Dial 911 in an emergency or visit the nearest hospital under four miles away in Newport Beach.
