There are several vantage points that will give you great opportunities to watch the spectacle which makes this air show unique! Center stage will be on the beach in directly in front of Hilton Waterfront Resort. This section of the beach will have viewing areas constructed with canopies and VIP areas, there is a charge for this area and is worth paying for. You can also watch from Huntington Beach Pier for a fee as well. From this angle you will not be in show center but you will see planes/jets flying right towards you which offers a whole different experience. If you want a higher vantage point, you can book a spot at Hilton Waterfront Resort's Rooftop Lounge for a fee, this view will have you at eye level with the performers. For the absolute best view though, you'll want to be on a boat! For photographers, this allows you to look at the bright side of the planes and have the sun behind you so you won't have to look into the sun like you do from the beach. Not only that but you'll have the advantage of having a cool backdrop with the beach, if you're on the beach then you just have sky as your backdrop. The benefit of watching from a boat is that it's about the same price as the general admission seating at the beach, you don't have to deal with all the traffic, and you have the best vantage point. These tours can be booked through Davey's Locker and Newport Landing. If you would like to watch the air show without having to pay, you still can! You'll have to watch from outside the main viewing area, either to the north or south.