Flying With Faber: Huntington Beach - Then and Now
By Stuart J. Faber
1809
I love history. Even more, I love writing about history. When I conduct research for an article, I often turn to history books or local historical societies for information. As I take these excursions, I often fantasize that I am living in the era of my research. For example, who wouldn’t picture themselves traveling in a covered wagon when looking back at the history of the Oregon Trail through Nebraska?
The problem with the story I’m about to tell you is that I don’t have to fantasize about being immersed in a scene from ancient history. Embarrassing as it is, I was part of this upcoming story!
How about when some teenager asks me (or perhaps you), “What was it like in the 80s?” I suppose to a 13-year-old kid, 1980 was ancient history. Look at the computers we had – mine was a Commodore – and how about my Loran-C? A museum would pay me a fortune for it.
Flying Around Southern California in the 1950s and 1096s
Let’s go back to the 1950s and 1960s. In the late 50s, I moved from Wisconsin to Southern California. Occasionally, I’d rent an Aeronca 7AC at Glendale Airport. As my courage increased, I’d head out to Van Nuys Airport, hop in a Cessna 150 and fly around the San Fernando Valley. I was too timid to depart the valley over the mountains in any direction. I thought I’d never make it over the peaks. As the years progressed, I advanced to a Piper Apache. When it was time to take my check ride for the multi-engine rating, I headed to Long Beach to see Abe Paster, a man considered to be a lenient examiner. A decade later, we met again for my commercial check ride. The reason I mention Abe is that he was one of the instructors who worked at Meadowlark Airport in the early postwar days.
Meadowlark Airport
In between those years, I flew a variety of airplanes. Every once in a while, a fellow pilot, or an instructor, would say, “Let’s fly down to Meadowlark and practice a few short field landings.”
That’s what this article is about – a look back in history at Meadowlark Airport. The embarrassing part of this story is that I was a visitor to Meadowlark during that historical period. I can’t deny it. I am a part of history
Back around 1927, a family named Crawford organized a motor and airplane factory around Seal Beach, California. Around the same time, a number of stunt pilots were putting on shows around the Seal Beach Joy Zone. The area eventually became Crawford Field.
Around 1930 a diner opened up the highway from the airfield. It was called, “Glider Inn.” A large model airplane was attached to the restaurant sign. As I recall, the sign and the airplane was still there up to a few years ago. The restaurant served great fish, steak and chili dishes. Pilots started to use the inn as a hangout. The walls were covered with aviation relics, model airplanes and the world’s largest wood, hand-carved propeller.
In 1940, a group of businessmen raised some capital to expand the airport. They added a seaplane port at the nearby oceanfront. A few years later, the U.S. Government constructed the Los Alamitos Naval Air Station just up the road from Long Beach. From 1945, the field was called East Long Beach Airport. Then, until 1963, it became Sunset Beach Airport. From 1963 until its closure, this 65-acre legend was known as Meadowlark Airport.
In 1947, the field was purchased by the Koichi and Nerio families. They extended the 1,750-foot runway to about 2,070 feet. A coffee shop, which became another pilot’s hangout, was added. In between my short field, touch-and-go adventures, I enjoyed a few lunches and some hangar talk at this cafe.
Meadowlark was bulldozed in 1989. Today, the former airport site is occupied by the Summerlane community of homes and the Norma Gibbs Butterfly Park. A plaque commemorating the Nerio Family and Meadowlark Airport is all that remains. If you want a look today, drive down the Pacific Coast Highway to Warner Avenue, then turn north to the Summerlane community.
During the years of my visits to Meadowlark, it always felt like stepping back into time-actually, it was more like my time. At the cafe, there were no such things as arugula or pesto. In the tie-down area, there were rows of Luscombes, Piper J-3s, Taylorcrafts, Pt-22s, Howards and Ercoupes.
I’m told that a fellow named Canon flew banner planes from Meadowlark over the coastline. Apparently, he took the final flight from Meadowlark in the summer of 1989.
The field did not breathe its last without a fight. Numerous demonstrations took place. Donna Foulger, a longtime Huntington Beach resident and an avid Meadowlark fan, had many stories to tell. She described an event when a plane missed the runway and crashed into one of the office buildings. Donna was there on the final day and took many photos as folks gathered to say good-bye.
Flying to the Beaches Today
Long Beach Airport, aka, Daugherty Field, (KLGB), is about a ten-mile drive from Huntington Beach. You can stop on the way for a visit to the Meadowlark plaque. The field, about 60 feet above sea level, has three runways. The main strip, R12/30 is 10, 000 feet long. It’s a great venue for practicing instrument approaches. At one time, we conducted NDB approaches. The NDB facility is also in the history books.
The parallel runways, R7L25R and 7R25L are each about 6000 feet long. My FBO recommendation is Ross Aviation, 562/490-6200.
Huntington Beach –A Great Place To Visit
Back in the 1950s, Huntington Beach, just a few miles south of Meadowlark Airport, was a place one drove through on the way from Long Beach to Newport Beach. Luxury resorts, a vibrant downtown and an expansive beach area have transformed this sleepy stretch of oceanfront to a thriving beach community for both locals and tourists.
Hotels
Here is a list of my favorites, all of which are pet friendly.
Waterfront Beach Hotel, 21100 Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach, CA 92648, 714/845-8000, www. waterfrontresort.com.
Located just across the road from the beach, this hotel has two spacious pools, a Jacuzzi and a kid’s club. Super-pet-friendly, the hotel offers numerous amenities for your canine and feline family members. Additionally, their lavish “It’s a Wonderful Dog’s Life” package treats your pup like royalty from the moment you step into your room. Pet beds, feeding bowls, pet-sitting, and even a pet-friendly room service menu are just a few of the features you’ll find.
The oceanfront and ocean view rooms feature high speed Wi-Fi, large flat screen TVs, mini-fridge and coffee station, work desk and robes.
Kimpton Shorebreak Hotel, 500 Pacific Coast Hwy, Huntington Beach, CA 92648, www.shorebreak.com, welcomes pets of all types and sizes. Their promise: “If your pet fits through the door, we’ll welcome them in.” They’ll spoil your pup with outstanding amenities like front desk treats, plush pet beds, feeding bowls, a dog-friendly restaurant and menu, and a nightly wine reception from 5-6 pm for guests and their pets who love to party – all at no extra cost. The staff even includes a Directors of Pet Relations. If a human happens to be accompanying the dog, he or she will discover rooms with soaking tubs, special mattresses, yoga mats and great ocean views.
Paséa Hotel & Spa, 21080 Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach, CA 92648, 866/478-9702, meritagecollection.com/paseahotel has spacious oceanfront rooms. Features include a private balcony with ocean views, huge workspaces, hooded sweatshirt robes and flat-screen TVs. Your pooch will be met by a special greeter, then, whisked up to the room to a luxurious pet bed, feeding bowl and treats.
Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort & Spa, 21500 Pacific Coast Hwy, Huntington Beach, CA 92648, 714 698 1234 huntingtonbeach.regency.hyatt.com. The 517 guestrooms and suites overlook the beachfront. The Mediterranean-inspired rooms are fitted with Hyatt Grand Beds, private balconies and an oversize work area with free Wi-Fi. A 20,000 square foot spa is in the hotel. For pets, the rooms are especially prepared for your doggie and includes food and water bowls, a pet pillow, and pet-friendly door hanger.
RESTAURANTS
Most of the restaurants can be described as “down-to-earth, seaside city casual. The surrounding ambiance is delightful. My recommendations below are among the best.
Slapfish, 19696 Beach Boulevard, 714/936-3900 offers a variety of the freshest fish and shellfish sourced from suppliers dedicated to sustainable seafood.
Old Crow Smokehouse, 21022 Pacific Coast Highway, 714/536-0381 delivers up a host of BBQ styles from the Carolinas, Memphis, Kansas City and Texas. Enjoy live country music every Friday and Saturday night.
Cucina Alessa, 520 Main Street, 174/969-2148 serves classical Italian cuisine including homemade pasta, mamma’s meatballs and pizza. Don’t miss the pollo parmigiana, two baked chicken breasts topped with Asiago and Parmigiano and a fresh basil tomato sauce.
Las Barcas, 21032 Beach Boulevard, 714/36-2616 has been serving gourmet Mexican food since 1987.
Bluegold, 1016 Pacific Coast Highway D200, 714/374-0038 serves exquisite Vietnamese cuisine. I suggest the pork short ribs or pan roasted sea bass.
THINGS TO DO
Of course, there is the beach. The shoreline stretches for ten uninterrupted miles of gorgeous sand. There are five wide, distinct beaches, each with its own special charm.
You can shop until you drop at the pier or on Main street. A variety of surf shops, trendy and vintage boutiques and souvenir shops dot the streets. Check the following retail areas: Bella Terra, 5 Points Plaza and Huntington Harbour Place.
Nature lovers will adore this region. The city is home to about 70 parks. The Shipley Nature Center features 18 acres of California native habitat, a butterfly way station and an educational center.
Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve is the largest saltwater marsh along the southern California coast. There is a 10-mile paved boardwalk, plus, countless trails over many untouched areas.
Nightlife activities? Several breweries and wine bars. SeaLegs at the beach pours libations literally along the sandy beach.
You can take a surfing lesson, rent a stand-up paddleboard or kayak, play volleyball, take a boat or whale watching tour or try an electric bicycle. Or, just take a stroll on the 1850-foot long Huntington Beach Pier. Every Tuesday night, Main Street is occupied by a farmer’s market.
Along Main Street, two cultural centers capture surf culture and national art. The Huntington Beach International Surfing Museum, displays rotating surf-centric exhibits and the World’s Largest Surfboard. The Huntington Beach Art Center presents collections aimed at experimentation, education, and experience.
As much as I love to write about history, I wish that history did not include so many great airports. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if they all still flourished today and had not been relegated to the history books?
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