Long before it was “Surf City USA,” Huntington Beach represented the dream of an idyllic community on the California coastline. With the arrival of the Pacific Electric “Red Car” in 1904, that dream took shape as basic infrastructure for a thriving community was first developed. Free trees were given to residents to encourage the establishment of Huntington Beach’s downtown neighborhoods while Main Street and the Municipal Pier added to the character of our unique village.

By 1909 the City incorporated. Some of the first acts of local government were the creation of community parks, a library, and public safety organizations for the town’s citizenry. Over the following 100 years, Huntington Beach’s oil boom, surfing culture and commercial development shaped our one-of-a-kind community.

The HBDRA advocates the preservation of our historic commercial, open space and neighborhood elements that originally attracted people to our community. The HBDRA also advocates appropriate, sustainable development as we move into the next 100 years where residential quality of life represented by the original village concept and our role as an international tourist destination will continue to bring new and exciting opportunities and challenges.

The HBDRA participates in local government, civic, cultural and community events to give voice to the concerns of all Huntington Beach residents.