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Unlocking Huntington Beach
This is your quick rundown of what’s happening in Huntington Beach. Local news, events, grand openings, and updates hosted by HB local, Lane Stone. Easy, useful, and made to keep you in the know.
Episodes
29 episodes
US Open of Surfing 2026: Your Surf City Guide (Ep. 29)
The Lexus US Open of Surfing returns to Huntington Beach July 25–Aug 2; half a million people, the world's best surfers, live music, and free entry. Here's how a born-and-raised local actually does the biggest week of the year in Surf City....
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HB Chamber CEO Max Daffron on Sector Partnerships (Ep. 28)
Huntington Beach has 10,000+ businesses, and most of them aren't on Main Street. Max Daffron, the HB Chamber's first CEO in eight years, is building five industry coalitions to fix that — and you don't need a membership to join.Max grew...
HB's Pacific Air Show: Parking, Tickets, Best Spots (Ep. 27)
The Pacific Air Show returns to Huntington Beach's sand October 2–4, 2026, and whether you pay or go free changes your whole day. Lane breaks down exactly where to stand, when to arrive, and how to skip the parking nightmare.What you'll...
Surf City Summer: Camps, Bonfires & Kid Activities (Ep. 26)
Summer in Huntington Beach means camp drop-offs, bonfire nights, and bike rides down the Strand — here's the full parent playbook for filling the calendar through August.What you'll learn:- Camp HB pricing and schedule breakdown: 3-...
HB 4th of July: A Local's Complete Guide (Ep. 25)
The Huntington Beach 4th of July draws half a million people for the largest Independence Day parade west of the Mississippi — and Lane Stone has the 35-year local playbook for doing it right.From the Surf City 5K to fireworks launched ...
HB Cost of Living: What You Actually Need to Earn (Ep. 24)
Huntington Beach's cost of living runs 80% above the national average — but that headline number alone won't help you budget. Lane Stone has spent 14 years in this market, and in this episode he breaks down every real expense: rent by neighborh...
HB Is the Perfect World Cup Base Camp (Ep. 23)
A million people are expected to flood Southern California for the 2026 FIFA World Cup — and Lane Stone thinks Huntington Beach is the smartest place to set up camp. The games are at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, but 35 miles of Pacific Coast beat...
HB Sharks, Sewer Easements & Mendocino Farms (Ep. 22)
HB's summer forecast just got complicated: shark detections are earlier than usual, Mendocino Farms is finally landing at Pacific City, and dozens of local homeowners are losing backyards — and in some cases, parts of their homes — to a sewer e...
HB Gets a Surf-Themed Escape Room From a Local Pro (Ep. 21)
A Huntington Beach local who played pro beach volleyball — and completed 233 escape rooms — just opened Surf City Escapes inside Pacific City. Ben Vaught built rooms around the HB vibe on purpose: the surf theme fits here in a way it wouldn't i...
HB's Best New Restaurants, Coffee Shops & Lost Classics (Ep. 20)
Episode 20 is a full Huntington Beach food and drink audit — where we've been, where we're headed, and what we should never have lost.Lane Stone covers four top-five lists: the HB spots he misses most (Ruby's on the Pier, Ruby Palace, B...
HB Foodie Awards, Rattlesnakes & Air Show Returns (Ep. 19)
The Surf City USA Foodie Awards just dropped — and Lane's got receipts on where the list got it right, where it missed, and which local spots deserved a spot they didn't get. Plus: rattlesnakes are showing up in force at the Bolsa Chica Wetland...
HB's Bean-to-Bar Chocolatier: Bella Sophia's Story (Ep. 18)
Stephanie Schaefer spent 40 years doing sports therapy for Olympic athletes before pivoting to something sweeter — and Bella Sophia Chocolates is now one of Huntington Beach's most beloved artisan brands. This one has a live unboxing, a 20% dis...
HB's Corner Market: Cookbook, Community & 100 Years (Ep. 17)
Corner Market has been an HB institution for over a century — and owner Suzanne has spent the last decade turning it into something the neighborhood didn't know it needed. She sat down with Lane and Amber to talk about what it actually takes to...
#016 - 20+ New Businesses, PCH Bike Lane Updates, & The Huntington Beach Miracle
Huntington Beach is booming! In this episode, Lane Stone breaks down the massive influx of over 20 new businesses hitting Surf City, from gourmet donuts to veteran ERs. We also dive into the major safety overhaul coming to the PCH bike lanes an...
#015 - HB Local Guide: Toddler Art, Free Financial Workshops, and 2026 Fireworks Prep
Looking for ways to get involved in the Huntington Beach community this spring? In this episode, Lane Stone breaks down the best local activities for all ages—from toddler art classes at the Edison Community Center to oil painting for adults on...
#014 - The Ultimate Guide to St. Patrick’s Day in Huntington Beach 2026
St. Patrick’s Day is taking over Huntington Beach, and whether you’re looking for a traditional pint of Guinness or a wild 9-day festival, Lane Stone has the inside scoop. From the authentic vibes of The Irishman to the high-energy block partie...
#013 - Luxury Chocolates, Surf Legends, and the Ultimate HB Parking Hack
In this episode, I dive deep into the heart of Surf City to celebrate some incredible local milestones. From a world-class "bean-to-bar" chocolate shop that's putting Huntington Beach on the international map to the induction of a true surf cul...
#012 - E-Bike Fire at Pacific City & HB’s New Life-Saving Tech
What’s really happening behind the scenes in Surf City? This week, Lane Stone breaks down a developing investigation into a fire at a major retail hub, a groundbreaking medical upgrade for our local heroes, and a massive real estate move by an ...
#011 - Valentine’s Week in Huntington Beach | Date Night, Galentine’s & Staying In
Valentine’s Day week is here in Huntington Beach, and whether you’re planning dinner out, a Galentine’s night, a spa day, or staying home and cooking something special, there are plenty of ways to do it right.In this episode of Unlocking...
#010 - Super Bowl Weekend in Huntington Beach | Events, Watch Spots & Local Food Picks
Super Bowl Sunday is here, and Huntington Beach is gearing up.In this episode of Unlocking Huntington Beach, Lane breaks down everything you need to know for Super Bowl weekend around town. From live music and free events to the best pla...
#009 - Safety, Community & What’s New
In this episode of Unlocking Huntington Beach, we break down the local updates that actually matter this week.We start with the new
#008 - The Ultimate Huntington Beach Food Guide: Top 5 Spots for Every Occasion
Ever wondered where a lifelong local goes for the best breakfast burrito, the crispiest fish taco, or the perfect date night vibe? In this episode, Lane Stone counts down his personal "Top 5" lists across six different categories in Huntington ...
#007 - 2026 HB Resolutions: Parlor Doughnuts Tasting & Hidden Gems
Happy New Year, Huntington Beach! In this episode, Lane Stone skips the boring gym resolutions and dives into "Unlocking HB" for 2026. Discover how to explore the 79+ parks in our city, support local art, and give back to the small businesses t...
#006 - Library Hacks, Ramen, & HB History
Is your Huntington Beach library card gathering dust? You’re missing out on free movies, music, and audiobooks that could save you hundreds a month.In this episode of Unlocking Huntington Beach, Lane Stone dives into the ...
#005 - Huntington Beach Holiday Guide: Christmas Light Map, Cruise of Lights & Local News
Welcome to this week’s episode of Unlocking Huntington Beach.Lane Stone covers everything you need to know heading into peak holiday season. From classic Christmas light traditions and seasonal events to drones in the wetlands, a DUI...