HomeMy WebLinkAboutApprove the Naming of the City-Operated Beach Recreational V 11 vED -0
2000 Main Street,
` Huntington Beach,CA
92648
r City of Huntington Beach
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File #: 22-484 MEETING DATE: 6/7/2022
REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION
SUBMITTED TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
SUBMITTED BY: Sean Joyce, Interim City Manager
VIA: Chris Slama, Director of Community & Library Services
PREPARED BY: Chris Slama, Director of Community & Library Services
Subject:
Approve the naming of the City-operated beach recreational vehicle (RV) campground located
at 20903 Pacific Coast Highway as the "Huntington Beach RV Campground" as recommended
by the Community & Library Services Commission
Statement of Issue:
The Community and Library Services Department operates a recreational vehicle (RV) camping
facility in the south beach parking lot, commonly known as the Sunset Vista RV Campground. The
City will be launching a new campground reservation system and website on July 1, 2022. In
conjunction with this launch, staff and the Community and Library Services Commission suggest
renaming the campground to better reflect its beachside location.
Financial Impact:
Not applicable.
Recommended Action:
Approve the recommendation made by the Community and Library Services Commission to name
the City-operated beach RV campground located at 20903 Pacific Coast Highway to the "Huntington
Beach RV Campground."
Alternative Action(s):
Do not approve the recommended action and direct staff accordingly.
Analysis:
The beach camping facility, currently known as the "Sunset Vista RV Campground," is located at
20903 Pacific Coast Highway just south of the Marine Safety Training Center and directly across the
street from Pacific City. The campground has 50 campsites and allows stays of up to 14 nights from
October through May each year.
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File #: 22-484 MEETING DATE: 6/7/2022
The City has been operating the RV campground since the mid-1970s. The campground was
originally only for extended overnight camping. However, in the early 1980s, en route camping was
added as an option for those looking for a quick overnight stay at the beach. During this transition,
the name Sunset Vista RV Campground was introduced by City staff but the name was never
formally approved by City Council. In early 2000, the campground was modernized during Phase II
of the South Beach Improvement Project with the addition of pedestals for power and water at each
campsite. This was also the first time the Sunset Vista RV Campground name was mentioned in any
City Council action. En route camping ceased when construction began and only standard overnight
camping remained. The popularity of the campground began to grow following the modernization
and significantly increased with the 2013 introduction of online reservations.
The campground experiences 95% occupancy rates in the fall and spring months, with winter
occupancy dipping below 90%. During the 2020/21 season, approximately 13% of campers were
Huntington Beach residents with another 61% visiting from other areas of southern California and
more than 14% from out of state. The average length of stay was three nights.
Although the campground is popular, staff has experienced that the Sunset Vista name is a source of
confusion for many potential guests. Prospective visitors are often unaware that the campground is
not only located within the Huntington Beach city limits but also owned and operated by the City of
Huntington Beach. Additionally, the Sunset Vista name does not effectively link the campground to
the Surf City identity and branding of our world famous beach.
Neighboring campgrounds have names that incorporate the location of the facility. For example,
Bolsa Chica State Beach includes camping under the name of Bolsa Chica State Beach; the Newport
Dunes RV Resort is located at Newport Dunes; and Doheny State Beach Campground is located at
Doheny State Beach. These names eliminate confusion regarding the location of the campground
and take advantage of the reputation of those particular areas.
A destination-based name, such as "Huntington Beach RV Campground", will enhance customer
service and on-line discoverability. Since advent of the internet, it has become increasingly important
to optimize search engine results. This name change would allow for more accurate search results
and provide easier access for individuals desiring to camp in Huntington Beach. Staff expects
improved search engine optimization will drive more people to the camping website, thereby
expanding the number of bookings, especially during the winter months.
The timing of the name change is especially pertinent. Renovations of the campground have been
completed and a new, more user-friendly, online reservation system is anticipated to launch July 1,
2022. Campers who return in the fall of 2022 will enjoy a newly repaved surface, fresh paint, new
power/water pedestals, and reconfigured campsites.
At the May 11, 2022 Community and Library Services Commission meeting, the Commission
approved the recommendation to City Council to name the campground the "Huntington Beach RV
Campground."
Environmental Status:
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File #: 22-484 MEETING DATE: 6/7/2022
Not applicable.
Strategic Plan Goal:
Community Engagement
Attachment(s):
None
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