A great place to vacation

Surf City’s plan to become a tourist destination seems to be working.

The hospitality industry in Huntington Beach grossed nearly $8

million in June and July. That’s 15% more than last year and more

than double what it grossed in 2002, according to hotel tax

information.

The numbers are encouraging. City officials and Doug Traub,

president of the Conference and Visitor Bureau, have been marketing

the city across California and the nation as a great place to

vacation. Tourism is the way of the future in Huntington and is just

what the city needs to rejuvenate its coffers.

The powers that be are hyping Surf City’s oldest asset -- the

beach -- and its newest hotel -- the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach

Resort & Spa. But they are also touting its future: the Strand and

Pacific City. As we move toward this future, the city needs to

consider the whole package. City leaders need to look at further

rejuvenating Downtown.

With increased tourism will come more traffic and parking

problems. Pacific Coast Highway will likely need to be expanded to

six lanes and another parking structure will be needed.

These are concerns residents and Downtown merchants have long had,

problems that are only getting worse as the marketing of Surf City as

a vacation resort resonates and tourists flock to the area.

Parking and traffic are concerns that city leaders need to

address, not only for new developments such as Pacific City, but for

existing attractions, such as Downtown shops.

As we’ve said many times before, city leaders need to make Main

Street a promenade and an attraction itself. They need to plan for

this influx and do away with the strip mall mentality that has

dominated the city for years. The times for strip malls has come and

gone.

With the new developments coming, the city needs to make sure the

rest of Downtown is revitalized and every effort is made to solidify

it as the inviting place for shoppers, diners, moviegoers, art

enthusiasts, pedestrians and yes even surfers.

Making Huntington Beach an accommodating spot for tourists is

indeed a double-edged sword.

But the sooner residents and merchants and all city officials

truly embrace that as the future and make Downtown the crown jewel,

the better it will be.