European colonizers arrived in modern-day Huntington in the 1700s, and the first permanent settlement in the area was founded in 1775. This settlement was known as "Holderby's Landing." Collis P. Huntington founded the city together with Delos W. Emmons, and it has continued to function as the western terminus for the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway since this time. The Chesapeake and Ohio Railway was completed in 1873, leading to an economic, population, and developmental boom in the modern-day Huntington area. The city became incorporated in 1871. Huntington is known to be the second city in the country to have electric streetcars. City officials eventually replaced these electric streetcars with gasoline-powered buses. However, some of the old trolley tracks that operated the electric streetcars are still seen in some parts of the city. The country's oldest amusement park, Camden Park, was built in 1903 and aimed to encourage people to ride on the trolleys. World War II resulted in another economic boom in the city, but this boom ended when the war ended. By 1950, the city's population began to decline due to the fall of the steel and manufacturing industries. By the 1980s, the steel and manufacturing industry had imploded, and employers retrenched thousands of workers as owners closed mills and plants. After this, the city worked towards reviving the economy and focusing on education, tourism, healthcare/medicine, and biotechnology. Although the city's economy recovered, the population never did. In 1950, Huntington was home to over 86,000 people but only home to over 51,000 people in 2000.

Huntington provides a delightful selection of activities and attractions, such as:

Huntington City Beach. The city's main beach, over three miles long, offers fun for the whole family all summer long. The beach has highly trained lifeguards, volleyball nets, fire pits, concession stands, and public restrooms with showers. The beach is also home to the Huntington Beach Pier, providing stunning views and spaces to fly kites and fish.

Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve. This reserve, a 13,000-acre coastal estuary, is home to a spectrum of birds and wildlife. The reserve also has a four-mile network of trails that boasts viewpoints across the estuary.

Old World Village. The Old World Village is a Bavarian entertainment district lined with cobblestone streets. This village includes a German restaurant, Turkish coffee at The Coffee Table, and pastries at Gourmet Strudel and Cafe. You can also appreciate the toy shop, clock shop, and various souvenir shops at this location.

Huntington Beach Art Center. This center displays a motley assortment of rotating artwork like "The Art and Soul of Surfing" and "The Wonderful World of Comics."