Hometown Stay at the Hyatt Huntington Beach

You’ve probably heard the famous quote about traveling attributed to St. Augustine: “The world is a book, and those who do not travel only read one page.” I then suppose that my kids and I traveling 17 miles from Orange to my hometown of Huntington Beach to stay at the Hyatt Regency would be like reading a book’s “About the author” page.

I live for years behind the Hyatt – long before it was there – so I’m well versed in area around the resort. I remember watching it go up, hoping for a spot that locals could enjoy with our families. I believe they have achieved it!
My daughter, age 13 and son, age 11, and I stayed two nights and spent three activity-filled days at the resort. The casual Spanish architecture with a piazza-like courtyard has kid-friendly restaurants, shops, a market that serves fresh sandwiches, salads and Starbuck’s coffee and, in the middle, a fire pit lit at night for s’mores time.
Our suite was a good size for our family, complete with large soaking tub and a king-size bed for us to cuddle up in and watch a movie after a day at the beach or pool.
So let’s talk about that. The kid pool area is called Slyder’s Waterpark. It has three slides and a long pool down the middle with lots of spots to set up for a day of soaking up the sun. We scored a cabana and spent an entire day at the pool playing cards, eating lunch and enjoying our time together.
The next day we spent down on the beach. It was a short walk over the bridge to collect our complimentary beach chairs, towels and umbrella. We first hit Surf City Grocers and they packed up a nice picnic lunch in a cooler for us (with wheels!).

The unique advantage of staying in town for vacation is that you can rendezvous with local friends and family while you’re “away.” We all met down at the beach, and when our friends packed up to go home, we packed up and headed back to our room – but not before hitting the Jacuzzi – and showered up before having a nice dinner at Pete’s Sunset Grill while watching the sunset.
A few things for the kids that make the Hyatt a great family spot:
* Hyatt HB does offer a kids club. So if you want to spend some time in the resort’s world-class spa, Pacific Waters, or head to the well-equipped on-site gym (choices, choices), the kids won’t mind.
* You can purchase s’more kits at Surf City Grocers and use them at one of the many fire pits around the property.
* Enjoy Cosmic Sliding; Saturday nights at Sylder’s Water Playground features a laser light show.
* Rent bikes at Toes to the Nose in the courtyard piazza and take a ride down the path next to the beach.
* Enjoy Dive in Movies at Sylder’s Water Playground, Friday night at 7 p.m.
* On Tuesday nights in the summer, Main Street hosts Surf City Nights. It’s fun to check out the Farmers Market, and be sure to take advantage of dinner specials in the local restaurants then. They offer a kids zone, too!

If you’re planning a stay-cation this summer, The Hyatt Regency should be on your short list of options. It sits on miles and miles of family-friendly beaches, and guests with kids get the feeling they are welcome there – which makes a parent’s stay all the more enjoyable.