Pacific Airshow Returns To Huntington Beach

Aeronautic Entertainment

The Pacific Airshow hits Huntington Beach, CA today through Sunday with a line-up that will blow your mind. There are airshows and then there’s the Pacific Airshow. If you’re a fan, listen up–drop everything you’re doing this weekend, find a spot on the sand with a lunch, an EZ up, binoculars and sunblock because it’s going to be four hours of the best show EVER.

The line-up is intense with non-stop action from some of the US military’s most favored demo teams and airshow extraordinaire civilian performers.

Each day’s schedule has been posted exclusively on the show’s app and includes performance times. As always, the performance schedule is subject to change but we’ve never seen it vary more than by a few minutes. The app is worth downloading because it is user-friendly and provides an at-a-glance schedule that helps you know when to run to the bathroom or when to stay put. Additionally, the app contains a map and information on their after-party concert series. If a smartphone app isn’t your thing, visit http://pacificairshow.com

2021 Airshow Performers (not in performance order):

OC Fire Authority Water Drop

US Navy Leapfrogs

Edwards B-52 Bomber

US Navy F-35C Demo Team

US Marine Corps. MV-22 Osprey Demo Team

US Air Force Thunderbirds

US Navy EA-18G Growler

Canadian Forces Snowbirds

US Air Force Heritage Flight

US Air Force F35A Lightning II

US Army Golden Knights

US Navy Blue Angels

Greg Colyer/Ace Maker

Mike Wiskus/Lucas Oil

Guardian of Freedom/Lyon Air Museum

FedEX 767

Mike Goulian/Goulian Aerosports

Rob Holland

Red Bull Air Force

Orbis Flying Eye Hospital

Jeff Boerboon/Yak 110

Show Center

The official show center is located on the beach across from the Hilton Waterfront Beach Resort on Pacific Coast Highway (PCH). This is where the galley of display planes, promotional booths and VIP tents are. The airshow anchors to this point as it’s center but unless you pay for ticketed seating in a chalet, on the pier or at one of the show’s general admission areas, you’d be well served to stay away from this stretch and avoid (some) of the crowding. I’ve been at show center, in the organizer’s tent and yes, it’s amazing to see paratroopers land on the sand right in front of you or see the Blue Angels maneuver in crazy-close formations right over your head but I’ve also been on the sand, half a mile to a mile out and it’s still 100% amazing from there. There’s no food, displays, or fun stuff going on in the farther stretches but you’ll be just fine.

Show Center is shown at marker 12. The airbox (no swimming or vessels) is indicated by the striped box. Visit the Pacific Airshow official website http://pacificairshow.com or download their app on apple or android devices for more information.

Parking

Truth be told, parking stinks. It’s crowded, complicated, and expensive. If you can handle that, though, get there early (like 9:00 AM early) for a spot in a beach parking lot. Be prepared to pay $30 or more for the day. Other options are parking at a friend’s house (if you have one nearby) and taking a rideshare service to the beach. There are designated rideshare drop-off locations or you can choose any hotel or business address to be dropped off at in the area. Be aware that after the show, rideshare fees incur surge pricing; there’s really no way around it but considering the convenience of to and from the beach with less headache than driving, it’s probably worth it. Show center is PCH and Main but you can literally be anywhere on the sand within a mile of that and see the show just fine.

Surviving The Beach

I’ll help you remember how to make this happen. It’s October 1 and officially fall. But, Murphy’s Law states that if we are going to be outdoors all day, the weather should be a minimum of “Bake You Alive” hot. Am I right? Huntington Beach will have a high of 82 degrees on Saturday and Sunday.

Bring sunblock, hearing protection (the jets are LOUD) water, juices/sodas, food, towels, chairs, boogey boards, an EZ-up or umbrellas, sunglasses, hats, swimsuits, changes of clothes and you ‘no whining’ undie pants. Yep, it’ll be a long and hot day but that’s how airshows are. It’s a beach air show; doesn’t get better than that; you can do it. Also, don’t forget your masks should you need one to enter a storefront or restaurant. I know it’s Huntington Beach and they have a reputation when it comes to the topic but it’s better to be prepared.

Note: drones are not allowed on the beach this day. This is for the safety of the demo teams and all spectators.

Watch From Anywhere

Saturday’s performance will be streamed LIVE on Hulu beginning at 10:00AM PT/1:00PM ET. If you’re considering a subscription, visit hulu’s site for details (I hear they’re still offering trial subscriptions). This is the first year that the show is being broadcast on television and I’m betting you’ll get the best views of anyone on the beach. Cameras will record from various positions and as expected, you will catch the ‘show center’ action.

Afterburner Music Festival

Friday and Saturday night at 5:00 PM, airshow attendees will have the opportunity to check out the airshow’s official afterparty–the Afterburner Music Festival. Featured performers include Sammy Haggar, Casadee Pope, and Sam Hunt. Tickets are available at Afterburnermusicfestival.com

About The Airshow

Previously called The Great Pacific Airshow, this event appeared over the waters of Huntington Beach only four years ago, in 2016. It had a few headliners, civilian show planes and well-maintained warbirds. While cool in its own right, the show was new and kind of….small. Year 2 brought bigger acts, including the Breitling Jet Team (yes, the Swiss watch maker) and many more fans to the beach city. By 2017, the event drew 2 million visitors, up from the previous year’s 560,000 and the show seemed to have found a home in the beach city; one challenge, though — who would run it?

Enter Huntington Beach native, Kevin Elliot. An aviation aficionado and the CEO of Code Four, a production and events company based right in the city. As a spectator to the 2016 show, he took a great interest in it, believing there was potential for it to become one of the largest outdoor lifestyle festivals in the country. His team at Code Four handled a number of production elements for the show in ’17 and opened the door for Elliot to take over ownership of the entire airshow by 2018. This happened with only four months until the show date and it was literally a scramble to the finish. In true Kevin fashion, that year’s performances went unparalleled to any aeronautic show the west coast had to offer. It has been named one of the top 10 Best Airshows by USA Today for 3 consecutive years; landing at #3 for 2021. The show has continued to grow year after year and the 2021 display will prove to be nothing less.