DOT Drug Testing Huntington Beach, CA
Our Local DOT Drug testing facilities in Huntington Beach, CA and the surrounding areas provide DOT Drug Testing, DOT Alcohol Testing, DOT Physicals, Consortium enrollment and other DOT services for Employers, Single operators and all DOT modes who are required to comply with 49 CFR Part 40 in Huntington Beach, CA including FMCSA, FTA, FAA, USCG, FRA and PHMSA . Testing centers are within minutes of your home or office and same day service is available in most cases.
9122 ADAMS AVE 1.9 miles
HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA 92646
18811 FLORIDA ST 1.9 miles
HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA 92648
18800 Main St Ste 111, 2.0 miles
Huntington Beach, CA 92648
18561 BEACH BLVD 2.3 miles
HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA 92648
17822 BEACH BL SUITE 242 3.0 miles
HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA 92647
9900 Talbert Ave Ste 203, 3.7 miles
Fountain Valley, CA 92708
9920 TALBERT AVE 3.8 miles
FOUNTAIN VALLEY, CA 92708
17122 BEACH BLVD STE 104 3.8 miles
Huntington Beach, CA 92647
17024 MAGNOLIA ST 4.1 miles
FOUNTAIN VALLEY, CA 92708
8970 WARNER AVE 4.2 miles
FOUNTAIN VALLEY, CA 92708
1419 SUPERIOR AVE STE 1 4.4 miles
NEWPORT BEACH, CA 92663
320 SUPERIOR AVE. STE 150 4.5 miles
NEWPORT BEACH, CA 92663
301 VICTORIA ST 5.0 miles
COSTA MESA, CA 92627
11180 E Warner Ave Ste 159, 5.4 miles
Fountain Valley, CA 92708
3401 S HARBOR BLVD 5.5 miles
SANTA ANA, CA 92704
15464 GOLDENWEST ST 5.7 miles
WESTMINSTER, CA 92683
3100 W WARNER AVE 6.4 miles
SANTA ANA, CA 92704
1000 BRISTOL ST N Ste 1B 6.5 miles
NEWPORT BEACH, CA 92660
7955 WESTMINSTER BLVD 6.9 miles
WESTMINSTER, CA 92683
400 NEWPORT CENTER DR STE 202 8.0 miles
NEWPORT BEACH, CA 92660
12600 BEACH BLVD 8.4 miles
STANTON, CA 90680
2362 MORSE AVE 8.8 miles
IRVINE, CA 92614
1241 E DYER RD STE 145 8.9 miles
SANTA ANA, CA 92705
17232 RED HILL AVE 9.1 miles
IRVINE, CA 92614
7052 ORANGEWOOD AVE STE 6 9.4 miles
GARDEN GROVE, CA 92841
1534 E WARNER AVE 9.5 miles
SANTA ANA, CA 92705
1530 E Edinger Ave Ste 1 9.7 miles
Santa Ana, CA 92705
1619 E Edinger Ave 10.1 miles
Santa Ana, CA 92705
10861 CHERRY ST STE 202 10.7 miles
LOS ALAMITOS, CA 90720
946 W TOWN AND COUNTRY RD 11.1 miles
ORANGE, CA 92868
100 N TUSTIN AVE 11.2 miles
TUSTIN, CA 92780
1310 W Stewart Dr Ste 304, 11.3 miles
Orange, CA 92868
1010 W La Veta Ave Ste 140, 11.4 miles
Orange, CA 92868
800 N Tustin Ave Ste A 11.4 miles
Santa Ana, CA 92705
2121 S TOWNE CENTRE PL STE 100 11.4 miles
ANAHEIM, CA 92806
801 N Tustin Ave Ste 102, 11.5 miles
Santa Ana, CA 92705
705 W LA VETA AVE STE 102 11.6 miles
ORANGE, CA 92868
2492 WALNUT AVE STE 110 11.6 miles
TUSTIN, CA 92780
333 S MAGNOLIA AVE 11.6 miles
ANAHEIM, CA 92804
3002 DOW AVE STE 204 11.7 miles
TUSTIN, CA 92780
4950 Barranca Pkwy Ste 101, 11.8 miles
Irvine, CA 92604
2814 W LINCOLN AVE 11.9 miles
ANAHEIM, CA 92801
17542 17TH ST STE 330 12.1 miles
TUSTIN, CA 92780
1720 TERMINO AVE 12.2 miles
LONG BEACH, CA 90804
1703 TERMINO AVE, STE 102 12.2 miles
LONG BEACH, CA 90804
1000 S ANAHEIM BLVD STE 200 12.2 miles
ANAHEIM, CA 92805
947 S ANAHEIM BLVD STE 120 12.3 miles
ANAHEIM, CA 92805
867 S TUSTIN ST 12.3 miles
ORANGE, CA 92866
16200 SAND CANYON AVE 13.0 miles
IRVINE, CA 92618
710 N EUCLID ST STE 203 13.0 miles
ANAHEIM, CA 92801
5451 LA PALMA AVE STE 24 13.1 miles
LA PALMA, CA 90623
100 Oceangate, P245 13.4 miles
LONG BEACH, CA 90802
On-site only 13.4 miles
Long Beach, CA 90802
15775 LAGUNA CANYON RD Ste 100 13.4 miles
IRVINE, CA 92618
1006 W LA PALMA AVE 13.5 miles
ANAHEIM, CA 92801
1801 W ROMNEYA DR STE 106 13.5 miles
ANAHEIM, CA 92801
1050 LINDEN AVE Ste 887 13.6 miles
LONG BEACH, CA 90813
1045 N TUSTIN ST 13.7 miles
ORANGE, CA 92867
1717 E LINCOLN AVE 13.8 miles
Anaheim, CA 92805
1250 PACIFIC AVE 14.0 miles
LONG BEACH, CA 90813
1111 E LA PALMA AVE 14.0 miles
ANAHEIM, CA 92805
40 CENTERPOINTE DR 14.0 miles
LA PALMA, CA 90623
211 S STATE COLLEGE BLVD STE 325 14.2 miles
ANAHEIM, CA 92806
2750 ATLANTIC AVE 14.7 miles
LONG BEACH, CA 90806
2101 MAGNOLIA AVE 14.8 miles
LONG BEACH, CA 90806
2776 PACIFIC AVE 15.1 miles
LONG BEACH, CA 90806
482 W WILLOW ST 15.1 miles
LONG BEACH, CA 90806
16702 VALLEY VIEW AVE 15.3 miles
LA MIRADA, CA 90638
16700 VALLEY VIEW AVE STE 180 15.3 miles
LA MIRADA, CA 90638
5220 CLARK AVE STE 445 15.4 miles
LAKEWOOD, CA 90712
5203 LAKEWOOD BLVD 15.6 miles
LAKEWOOD, CA 90712
5205 Lakewood Blvd 15.6 miles
Lakewood, CA 90712
640 S PLACENTIA AVE 15.6 miles
PLACENTIA, CA 92870
24962 CALLE ARAGON 15.8 miles
LAGUNA WOODS, CA 92637
1300 N KRAEMER BLVD 16.1 miles
ANAHEIM, CA 92806
15330 VALLEY VIEW AVE STE 1 16.1 miles
LA MIRADA, CA 90638
15751 Rockfield Blvd 16.1 miles
Irvine, CA 92618
22741 LAMBERT ST 16.5 miles
LAKE FOREST, CA 92630
61 ARGONAUT 16.5 miles
ALISO VIEJO, CA 92656
1950 SUNNYCREST DR STE 1800 16.6 miles
FULLERTON, CA 92835
2151 N HARBOR BLVD 16.7 miles
FULLERTON, CA 92835
6670 ALTON PKWY 1ST FL 16.8 miles
IRVINE, CA 92618
23521 Paseo De Valencia #302C, 16.9 miles
Laguna Hills, CA 92653
23961 CALLE DE LA MAGDALENA STE 230 17.0 miles
LAGUNA HILLS, CA 92653
2720 N HARBOR BLVD STE 130 17.1 miles
FULLERTON, CA 92835
24451 HEALTH CENTER DR 17.1 miles
LAGUNA HILLS, CA 92653
1201 N. ROSE DR. SUITE 202 17.9 miles
PLACENTIA, CA 92870
16660 PARAMONT BLVD STE 102 17.9 miles
PARAMOUNT, CA 90723
13440 IMPERIAL HWY 18.0 miles
SANTA FE SPRINGS, CA 90670
1301 N ROSE DR 18.0 miles
PLACENTIA, CA 92870
909 E YORBA LINDA BLVD STE H 18.1 miles
PLACENTIA, CA 92870
16444 PARAMOUNT BLVD 18.1 miles
PARAMOUNT, CA 90723
411 N LAKEVIEW AVE 18.2 miles
ANAHEIM, CA 92807
1294 W 6th St Ste 206, 18.4 miles
San Pedro, CA 90731
23601 AVALON BLVD Ste 104 18.4 miles
CARSON, CA 90745
1300 W 7TH ST 18.5 miles
SAN PEDRO, CA 90732
1360 W 6TH ST STE 190 18.5 miles
SAN PEDRO, CA 90732
1001 E IMPERIAL HWY 18.5 miles
BREA, CA 92821
19301 S SANTA FE AVE Ste 120 18.6 miles
COMPTON, CA 90221
7300 ALONDRA BLVD STE 108 18.6 miles
PARAMOUNT, CA 90723
23962 ALICIA PKWY 19.1 miles
MISSION VIEJO, CA 92691
25431 CABOT RD STE 118 19.1 miles
LAGUNA HILLS, CA 92653
25965 NORMANDIE AVE FL 1 19.2 miles
HARBOR CITY, CA 90710
25500 RANCHO NIGUEL RD STE 100 19.3 miles
LAGUNA NIGUEL, CA 92677
566 E LAMBERT RD 19.4 miles
BREA, CA 92821
9353 IMPERIAL HWY GARDEN MEDICAL OFFICE,3RD FLOOR 19.8 miles
DOWNEY, CA 90242
15141 Whittier Blvd Ste 125, 19.9 miles
Whittier, CA 90603
455 E CARSON PLAZA DR 20.0 miles
CARSON, CA 90746
20401 AVALON BLVD STE C 20.0 miles
CARSON, CA 90746
11817 TELEGRAPH RD 20.2 miles
SANTA FE SPRINGS, CA 90670
5475 E LA PALMA AVE 20.4 miles
ANAHEIM, CA 92807
2499 S WILMINGTON AVE 20.4 miles
COMPTON, CA 90220
27800 MEDICAL CENTER RD STE118 20.5 miles
MISSION VIEJO, CA 92691
11411 BROOKSHIRE AVE STE 408 20.5 miles
DOWNEY, CA 90241
20770 ASH CIR STE 200 20.9 miles
YORBA LINDA, CA 92886
12385 WASHINGTON BLVD 21.4 miles
WHITTIER, CA 90606
12401 WASHINGTON BLVD 21.4 miles
WHITTIER, CA 90602
12462 PUTNAM ST ste 402 21.6 miles
WHITTIER, CA 90602
1149 W 190TH ST 21.6 miles
GARDENA, CA 90248
21081 S WESTERN AVE STE 150 21.7 miles
TORRANCE, CA 90501
8337 TELEGRAPH RD STE 104 22.0 miles
PICO RIVERA, CA 90660
16630 S BROADWAY ST 22.1 miles
GARDENA, CA 90248
3330 LOMITA BLVD 22.4 miles
TORRANCE, CA 90505
15401 S MAIN ST 22.6 miles
GARDENA, CA 90248
23441 Madison St Ste 300, 22.7 miles
Torrance, CA 90505
3611 MLK Blvd STE 108 22.7 miles
LYNWOOD, CA 90262
23441 MADISON ST.BLD8,STE 110 22.8 miles
TORRANCE, CA 90505
1300 W 155TH ST STE 109 23.4 miles
GARDENA, CA 90247
21320 HAWTHORNE BLVD STE 227 23.6 miles
TORRANCE, CA 90503
3430 GARFIELD AVE 23.8 miles
LOS ANGELES, CA 90040
18575 Gale Ave Ste 155 23.9 miles
City of Industry, CA 91748
18575 GALE AVE STE 295 23.9 miles
CITY OF INDUSTRY, CA 91748
4101 TORRANCE BLVD 24.0 miles
TORRANCE, CA 90503
16025 GALE AVE STE B10 24.3 miles
CITY OF INDUSTRY, CA 91745
18335 VALLEY BLVD 24.5 miles
LA PUENTE, CA 91744
2707 E VALLEY BLVD STE 116 24.5 miles
WEST COVINA, CA 91792
6538 TELEGRAPH RD 24.6 miles
LOS ANGELES, CA 90040
11152 S MAIN ST 24.6 miles
LOS ANGELES, CA 90061
3364 E SLAUSON AVE 24.6 miles
VERNON, CA 90058
17487 HURLEY ST 24.6 miles
CITY OF INDUSTRY, CA 91744
"When you need a test, choose the best"
How to schedule a DOT drug test in Huntington Beach, CA
To schedule any type of DOT drug test or alcohol test in Huntington Beach, CA call our local scheduling department at (800) 221-4291. You may also schedule your DOT drug test online utilizing our express scheduling registration system by selecting your test and completing the Donor Information/Registration Section. You must register for the test prior to proceeding to the testing center.
The zip code you enter will be used to determine the closest DOT drug or DOT alcohol testing center which performs the type of test you have selected. A donor pass/registration form with the local testing center address, hours of operation and instructions will be sent to the e-mail address you provided. Take this form with you or have it available on your smart phone to provide to the testing center. No appointment is necessary in most cases. However, you must complete the donor information section and pay for the test at the time of registration.
Our laboratories are SAMHSA certified and all test results are verified by our in-house licensed physicians who serve as Medical Review Officers (MRO).
In addition to providing DOT drug testing and DOT breath alcohol testing in Huntington Beach, CA, Accredited Drug Testing also has additional testing centers throughout the metropolitan area and surrounding cities.
On the road or on vacation, no worries, Accredited Drug Testing has over 20,000 testing centers in all cities Nationwide and we can schedule your test, ANYWHERE, ANYTIME!
What are the DOT drug testing requirements?
In 1991, the Omnibus Transportation Employee Testing Act created the following DOT Agencies which established drug and alcohol testing regulations to ensure that aircraft, trains, trucks, and buses were operated in a safe and responsible manner. As an employer or individual operating in a "Safety Sensitive" position, it is important to understand how these regulations impact you.
49 CFR Part 40 (commonly known as "part 40") explains:
- How drug and alcohol testing is conducted
- Who is authorized to participate in the drug and alcohol testing program
- What employees must do before they may return to duty after a drug and/or alcohol violation
Each DOT Agency and the USCG have specific regulations that cover:
- The agency's prohibitions on drug and alcohol use
- Who is subject to comply with these regulations
- What type of testing is required
- When testing is required
- Consequences of non-compliance
FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) amended its rule that would establish requirements for commercial driver's license employers and individuals with regards to the drug and alcohol clearing house which will take affect on January 6, 2020.
The FMCSA Clearinghouse is a secure online database that will allow employers, the FMCSA, State Driver Licensing Agencies, State Law Enforcement and individual CDL operators to access real time important information about a CDL Driver's drug and alcohol program violations and the ultimate goal of this database is to enhance safety on our Nation's public roadways.
For specific requirements, click the appropriate agency listed below in which you or your company is regulated by. Ask about our DOT Complete Compliance Package!
- Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) (14 CFR Part 120)
- United States Coast Guard (USCG) (46 CFR Parts 4,5 and 16)
- Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) (49 CFR Part 382)
- Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) (49 CFR Part 199)
- Federal Transit Administration (FTA) (49 CFR Part 655)
- Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) (49 CFR Part 219)
The Opioid Overdose Crisis
Every day, more than 130 people in the United States die after overdosing on opioids. The misuse of and addiction to opioids, including prescription pain relievers, heroin, and synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, is a serious national crisis that affects public health as well as social and economic welfare. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that the total "economic burden" of prescription opioid misuse alone in the United States is $78.5 billion a year, including the costs of healthcare, lost productivity, addiction treatment, and criminal justice involvement.
- Roughly 21 to 29 percent of patients prescribed opioids for chronic pain misuse them.
- Between 8 and 12 percent develop an opioid use disorder.
- An estimated 4 to 6 percent who misuse prescription opioids transition to heroin.
- About 80 percent of people who use heroin first misused prescription opioids.
- Opioid overdoses increased 30 percent from July 2016 through September 2017 in 52 areas in 45 states.
- The Midwestern region saw opioid overdoses increase 70 percent from July 2016 through September 2017.
- Opioid overdoses in large cities increase by 54 percent in 16 states.
In the late 1990s, pharmaceutical companies reassured the medical community that patients would not become addicted to prescription opioid pain relievers, and healthcare providers began to prescribe them at greater rates. This subsequently led to widespread diversion and misuse of these medications before it became clear that these medications could indeed be highly addictive.3,4 Opioid overdose rates began to increase. In 2017, more than 47,000 Americans died as a result of an opioid overdose, including prescription opioids, heroin, and illicitly manufactured fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid.1That same year, an estimated 1.7 million people in the United States suffered from substance use disorders related to prescription opioid pain relievers, and 652,000 suffered from a heroin use disorder (not mutually exclusive)
DOT Compliance Checklist in Huntington Beach, CA
DOT 49 CFR Part 40 Requirements for Safety Sensitive Employees.
(FMCSA-FAA-USCG-FRA-PHMSA-FTA)
- Pre-Employment Tests
- Correct Federal Custody & Control Form (CCF)
- Substance Abuse Professional Process
- Regulations on File
- Random Pool Testing
- *Supervisor Training
- *Written Policy
- Post-Accident Testing Situations
- Previous Employers Checks
- Employee Education
- Record Keeping
- Removal of covered Employee
- Designated Employer Representative
* In addition, any company which employs 2 or more covered employees must have a written drug and alcohol policy and all supervisors must complete the DOT Supervisor Reasonable Suspicion Training. (Click here to learn more about our online training programs)
If a DOT covered employee or company does not have a copy of the original pre-employment drug test with a negative result, then a new DOT pre-employment drug test must be conducted, and the result maintained on file.
The department of transportation (DOT) requires that all DOT regulated "safety sensitive" employees have on file a negative DOT pre-employment drug test result and be a member of a DOT approved random selection consortium. In addition, if a DOT regulated company has more than one "safety sensitive" employee, the employer must also have a written DOT drug and alcohol policy and an on-site supervisor must have completed supervisor training for reasonable suspicion of illegal drug use or impairment.
To be compliant with DOT regulations, a company's DOT drug and alcohol testing program must have the following components. Failing to comply can result in significant fines and penalties.
What is a DOT Drug Test in Huntington Beach, CA?
On January 1, 2018 the Department of Transportation (DOT) issued a new rule which altered the DOT 5 panel urine test. Employers and individuals should be aware that the current DOT drug test is still a urine drug test, collected by qualified collectors, analyzed at a SAMHSA certified laboratory and reviewed by a licensed Medical Review Officer. Below you will find a list of the drugs that are screened for in the DOT 5 panel urine drug test:
- Marijuana (THC)
- Cocaine
- Amphetamines
- Opioids**
- Phencyclidine (PCP)
- Pre-employment
- Random
- Reasonable suspicion
- Return to Duty
- Post-Accident
- Follow Up
** Special note: Opioids' was previously called Opiates' and all DOT drug tests will continue to include confirmation testing for Codeine, Morphine, and 6-AM (heroin) when necessary.
In the January rule change, the Department of Transportation (DOT) also added initial screening and confirmation testing for the semi-synthetic opioids Hydrocodone, Hydromorphone, Oxycodone, and Oxymorphone to this Opioids group
When is a DOT drug test required in Huntington Beach, CA?
All safety sensitive employees regardless of DOT agency are required for the following drug testing and/or alcohol testing based on each situation:
What is DOT pre employment testing in Huntington Beach, CA?
As a new hire or a current employee transferring from a non-safety sensitive function into a safety sensitive function (even with the same employer), you are required to submit to a DOT pre employment drug test.
Some employers may, but are not required to, conduct pre employment alcohol testing. Only after your employer receives a negative pre employment DOT drug test result (and negative alcohol test result - if administered) may you begin performing in a safety-sensitive capacity.
What is random DOT Drug Testing in Huntington Beach, CA?
All safety sensitive employees are subject to unannounced random drug & alcohol testing. Alcohol testing is administered just prior to, during or just after performing safety-sensitive functions. Depending on the industry specific regulations, you may only be subject to random drug testing.
Listed below are the current (2019) DOT random testing rates for each DOT agency.
The following chart outlines the annual minimum drug and alcohol random testing rates established within DOT Agencies and the USCG for 2019. | ||
DOT Agency | 2019 Random Drug Testing Rate | 2019 Random Alcohol Testing Rate |
---|---|---|
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration [FMCSA] |
25% | 10% |
Federal Aviation Administration [FAA] |
25% | 10% |
Federal Railroad Administration [FRA] |
25% - Covered Service 50% - Maintenance of Way * |
10% - Covered Service 25% - Maintenance of Way * |
Federal Transit Administration [FTA] |
50% | 10% |
Federal Transit Administration [FTA] |
50% | N/A |
United States Coast Guard [USCG] (with the Dept. of Homeland Security) |
50% | N/A |
What is reasonable suspicion DOT drug testing in Huntington Beach, CA?
Safety sensitive individuals and employees are required to submit to any test (whether it is a drug test, alcohol test or both) that a supervisor requests based on reasonable suspicion. Reasonable suspicion means that one or more trained supervisors reasonably believes or suspects that you are under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Supervisors cannot require testing based on a hunch or guess alone; their suspicion must be based on observations concerning your appearance, behavior, speech and smell that are usually associated with drug or alcohol use
What is return to duty DOT Drug Testing in Huntington Beach, CA?
If you have violated the prohibited drug & alcohol testing rules, you are required to take a return to duty drug and/or alcohol test before being allowed to return to a safety-sensitive function for any DOT regulated employer. You may also be subject to unannounced follow-up testing for at least 6 times in the first 12 months following your return to active safety-sensitive service.
Return-to-duty tests must be conducted under direct observation.
What is DOT post accident drug testing Huntington Beach, CA?
If you are involved in an event (accident, crash, etc.) meeting certain criteria of the DOT agency, a post-accident drug test will be required. In most cases you will then have to take a drug and alcohol test if you are involved in a qualifying crash. Each DOT agency may have specific rules with regards to what is a post-accident test, for example, the FRA requires a blood specimen for drug testing and an alcohol test.
If you are involved in a qualifying accident, you are required to remain available for this testing and are not permitted to refuse testing.
Remember: Safety-sensitive employees are obligated by law to submit to and cooperate in drug & alcohol testing mandated by DOT regulations.
What is DOT follow up drug testing Huntington Beach, CA?
DOT follow up testing occurs when an individual has violated the drug and alcohol testing rules. The amount of follow-up testing you receive is determined by a Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) and may continue for up to 5 years. This means the SAP will determine how many times you will be tested (at least 6 times in the first year), for how long, and for what substance (i.e. drugs, alcohol, or both). Your employer is responsible for ensuring that follow-up testing is conducted and completed. Follow up testing is in addition to all other DOT required testing and all follow-up tests will be observed. For more information on the SAP process or to locate a Substance Abuse Professional in Huntington Beach, CA simply call us at (800)221-4291
To schedule a DOT drug or alcohol test in Huntington Beach, CA Call (800) 221-4291 or select the Huntington Beach, CA DOT Drug Testing Location Near You
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Local Area Info: Huntington Beach, California
Huntington Beach is a seaside city in Orange County in Southern California. The city is named after American businessman Henry E. Huntington. The population was 189,992 during the 2010 census, making it the most populous beach city in Orange County and the seventh most populous city in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area.[citation needed] Its estimated 2014 population was 200,809. It is bordered by Bolsa Chica Basin State Marine Conservation Area on the west, the Pacific Ocean on the southwest, by Seal Beach on the northwest, by Westminster on the north, by Fountain Valley on the northeast, by Costa Mesa on the east, and by Newport Beach on the southeast.
Huntington Beach (locally initialized "HB") is known for its long 9.5-mile (15.3 km) stretch of sandy beach, mild climate, excellent surfing, and beach culture. The ocean waves are enhanced by a natural effect caused by the edge-diffraction of open ocean swells around Santa Catalina Island.[citation needed] Swells generated predominantly from the North Pacific in winter and from a combination of Southern Hemisphere storms and hurricanes in the summer focus on Huntington Beach, creating consistent surf all year long, hence the nickname "Surf City".
The area was originally occupied by the Tongva people. European settlement can be traced to a Spanish soldier, Manuel Nieto, who in 1784 received a Spanish land grant of 300,000 acres (1,200 km2), Rancho Los Nietos, as a reward for his military service and to encourage settlement in Alta California. Nieto's western area was reduced in 1790 because of a dispute with the Mission San Gabriel, but he retained thousands of acres stretching from the hills north of Whittier, Fullerton and Brea, south to the Pacific Ocean, and from today's Los Angeles River on the west, to the Santa Ana River on the east.