English Bulldog Puppies for Sale in Huntington Beach, CA

Within the realm of Valentine’s Day gifting, you have the grocery store heart box (charming in all of its populist splendor), and then you have Bella Sophia Chocolates.

Tucked away in Huntington Beach’s Pacific City Mall, this isn’t just a candy shop — it’s an atelier where cocoa beans are treated with the same reverence a vintner gives a prized pinot noir. Founded in 2016 by the husband-and-wife duo of Steph and J.D. Shafer, Bella Sophia is a love letter to the craft of chocolate making, and to each other. Their venture is even named after their daughter, Sophia. Married for nearly 37 years, the Shafers have turned their shared passion for European-style chocolatiering and bean-to-bar chocolate making into one of Orange County’s most esteemed sweet spots.

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J.D. and Steph’s journey to becoming an award-winning chocolatiers didn’t start in a kitchen, but on the sidelines of the world’s biggest sporting event. For decades, Steph worked as a massage therapist for Olympic athletes. “They don’t eat junk,” she told me during a recent visit to her shop. “I wanted to create bars they could actually eat, dark chocolate with the fewest ingredients possible, no preservatives, just healthy fats and organic cane sugar.”

What started as a labor of love for her athletes — and a 150-year-old stone mortar and pestle inherited from her great grandmother — has turned into an award-winning bean-to-bar operation. The process is, to put it mildly, grueling. It takes roughly 400 to 500 beans to produce just one pound of edible chocolate. After fermentation and toasting, the beans are winnowed and placed in a melanger, a stone grinder that runs for up to 72 to turn the beans into a velvety, smooth paste.

The Shafer’s chocolate-making execution revealed such precision that the couple won first-place honors at the International Chocolate Salon and TasteTV, including being named Best Chocolatier and Confectioner in America in 2019. Not too shabby for not being formally trained; the duo learned everything online by researching and reaching out to chocolatiers to perfect their technique.

“You can’t just turn off the machine and say it’s done because you have a deadline,” said Steph, with a laugh. “It’s a 72-hour commitment to smoothness.”

The couple use fair-trade cacao beans sourced from Los Arroyos in the Dominican Republic, where they create their chocolate in a painstaking process at a local kitchen offsite from their storefront. In fact, nearly everything they make for Bella Sophia is homemade, including the chocolate’s varied fillings, from caramel to fruits, to the flour used in Steph’s chocolate ship cookies. “I milled the flour myself,” she said.

If the chocolate-making process is science, the finishing part is pure art. Steph is a lifelong painter who used to work on massive canvases (one of her pieces can be seen at the store), but now her masterpieces can be measured in millimeters. Using colored cocoa butter, she hand-paints intricate designs into the molds and onto her chocolates, everything from shiny ladybugs and highland cows to miniature “Birkin” bags and “red-bottom” Louboutin stilettos.

“Every day my art changes, and the flavor panels change,” she explained. Unlike commercial chocolates that sit in a warehouse for six months at a time, Bella Sophia’s chocolates are made daily. “What’s here today won’t be here tomorrow,” said J.D., who worked in finance for 23 years before turning his life over to chocolate, pointing to the rank-and-file battalion of chocolates in the case. “We don’t refrigerate. We just want it to be the best thing you’ve ever tasted.”

For Valentine’s Day, their biggest day of the year, the shop will lean into the spectacular. To wit: This year’s showstopper is an edible, quilt-stitch chocolate box, entirely made from chocolate and hand painted. Patrons can fill the shiny box with truffles and chocolates. Then eat it. It’s the kind of gift that has led to some memorable romantic stories, including one customer who has the Shafers hide an engagement ring inside of of their chocolate boxes.

Other menu highlights include chocolates in myriad shapes (from hearts and caviar tins to turtles and Hawaiian shirts) with fillings like Speculaas “cookie butter,” dulce de leche, sea salt caramel, mango-passionfruit and hazelnut, to name a few. Also of grave importance: the expansive chocolate case is divided into “milk chocolate” and “dark chocolate” sections.

While the current shop is a bustling hub of energy and sweet scents, the Shafers are preparing for a massive expansion. They are currently building out a new larger space at the other end of the Pacific City mall (taking over a former bikini store) to create a true “chocolate cafe.”

Slated to open in early spring, the new spot will feature a mini kitchen where customers can watch the magic happen. The menu will expand to include chocolate croissants and “fired-up s’mores” featuring their marshmallows and graham crackers, both made from scratch. “I want to be front and center with the customers,” said Steph. “Chocolate brings people together. You can’t not be happy with chocolate.”

Find it: 21060 Pacific City Circle, Huntington Beach, 714-906-9011, bellasophiachocolates.com

If you’re looking to round out your Valentine’s Day chocolate crawl, here are a handful of other Orange County chocolate purveyors with a visit:

Chocolate Bliss (Rancho Santa Margarita): This single-origin chocolate shop features treats that are are handcrafted on the premises. Find it: 22312 El Paseo, suite G, Rancho Santa Margarita

Läderach Chocolatier Suisse (Brea, Costa Mesa): With two locations at Brea Mall and South Coast Plaza, this is the place for “FrischSchoggi” (fresh chocolate) bark. It’s high-end Swiss luxury that’s both a feast for the eyes and the palate, if a bit of a ding to the pocketbook. Find it: 1065 Brea Mall, unit 1116, Brea; 3333 Bristol St., unit 2814, Costa Mesa

Le Rue Du Chocolat (Laguna Beach): An exceedingly charming seaside spot known for his hand-dipped fruits and whimsical shapes. A great pit stop after a romantic sunset walk on the beach. Find it: 448 S Coast Highway, Laguna Beach

See’s Candies (multiple locations): The Los Angeles-born chocolate pit stop is a longstanding, beloved classic for a reason. More than 200 locations in Southern California alone, with many more across the globe.

Valenza Chocolatier (Costa Mesa): Operating out of the Hood Kitchen Space, master chocolatier Amy Jo Pedone creates award-winning, Italian-inspired bonbons and more that are almost too beautiful to eat. Find it: 350 Clinton St., suite A, Costa Mesa

Venchi (Costa Mesa): Another South Coast Plaza spot, this new Italian chocolatier is famous for its Nougatine and Chocoviar. Don’t leave without trying the rich, velvety gelato. Also of note: the chocolate waterfall cascading from behind the counter. Find it: 3333 Bristol St., unit 1018, Costa Mesa

A 92-acre property along Pacific Coast Highway in Huntington Beach that’s currently zoned for industrial use, but could potentially be the site of up to 800 residential units and 350 hotel rooms, is poised to be the subject of a draft environmental impact report.

Last spring, energy company California Resources Corp. announced it had applied to rezone its 1.2-mile long property between Goldenwest Street and Seapoint Street, on the inland side of PCH. The site has served as an oil and gas production complex, but Long Beach-based C.R.C. proposes to the amendment of the city of Huntington Beach’s Palm/Goldenwest specific plan, which designates 94% of the property for commercial uses.

The updated plan for the site would include residential areas on both the north and south ends of the property, with a commercial area in the middle and an open space/park north of Seapoint. There would be three entrances along PCH — a primary entrance and two secondary entrances — along with entrances at the north and south ends of the property, on Seapoint and Goldenwest streets, respectively.

The city of Huntington Beach has released an initial study for the proposed project, pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act. A public review and comment period for the initial study, a notice of preparation of the draft EIR and other related documents started Feb. 6 and runs through 5 p.m. on March 9.

Based on the results of the initial study, which is available on the city website, the city has determined that the proposed project could result in impacts related to a number of environmental issues. Those will be addressed in the draft environmental impact report.

The city held a scoping meeting on the subject Wednesday night.

“Since submitting our application last year, we’ve been actively engaging with the local community to gather input and feedback on the project,” said Bob Grundstrom, senior vice president of business development at C.R.C., in a statement. “On [Wednesday], the proposal was discussed during the city’s scoping meeting to ensure both environmental and community considerations are addressed. We’re pleased that the project is progressing as planned and remains on track for upcoming milestones, including review by the City Council later this year.”

Grundstrom added that the project plan dedicates about 23 acres to public open space and parks, including a park that runs along PCH, which will create a greenbelt with a 2.5-mile multi-use trail for residents and visitors.

Anyone wishing to comment on the scope of issues to be analyzed in the EIR can provide written comments to principal planner Joanna Cortez in the Community Development Department, 2000 Main St., Huntington Beach, CA 92648 by March 9. Comments can also be emailed to Joanna.Cortez@surfcity-hb.org.

The high school baseball game between Huntington Beach and Loyola ended in a tie due to darkness. It also ended in controversy when California umpires decided not to finish out the bottom of the ninth inning after an intentional triple play.

There was not enough light to finish the final three outs.

While it is not uncommon for high school baseball games to end early because of the sun (or lack thereof), this specific ruling did not seem warranted. The result was a wash.

Huntington Beach and Loyola played into extra innings.

High school baseball games in California last only seven innings like most of the United States. Games may be shortened by a 10-run mercy rule after five innings. In the event of darkness, rain, etc, games are considered official and complete if at least five full innings have been played. In the event of a tie, extra innings will continue until a winner is decided.

Should a game be called due to darkness or weather in the middle of an inning, the score will then result back to the last completed inning. That is exactly what happened in Los Angeles.

Huntington Beach High School ranked as the No. 26 team in the country during the preseason after a 24-5 campaign in 2025. Loyola High School looks to be much improved after a 15-13 record last season.

The Oilers traveled 40 miles north to play the Cubs in their 2026 season-opener.

Umpires ultimately ruled the game as a tie, 5-5, after eight and a half innings of play. They determined that the game could not continue due to darkness.

An intentional triple play marked the early end of the California high school baseball season-opener.

Huntington Beach and Loyola were tied at five runs each after seven regulation innings. The score held at five after the eighth extra inning. That put the visiting Oilers on offense in the top of the ninth.

They scored two runs to go up 7-5 without recording an out.

Comfortable with its lead, Huntington Beach ran into an intentional triple play to send the game to the bottom half of the ninth inning. It got three outs as quickly as possible on purpose.

Baseball chess, not checkers. ♟️ Huntington Beach High School intentionally ran into a triple play in the 9th to beat darkness after going up 7–5… umps weren’t having it and called it anyway. pic.twitter.com/JqtNvmHVOo

— Hype Talk???? (@hypetalkca) February 19, 2026

Sunlight became an issue because the game went to extra innings. Darkness was fast approaching. High school baseball games are not typically allowed to continue within a set period of time before and/or after sunset. The decision on wether to continue the game is often up to the umpires’ judgement.

The Oilers ran into the triple play with that in mind. They wanted to get on to the bottom half of the ninth to get three quick outs and finish the game in full with a win. They thought there was enough time to play three more outs before the conditions became unplayable. There was enough light to continue.

The California high school baseball umpires disagreed. They ruled the bottom of the ninth inning unplayable due to darkness. Loyola did not get its final at-bats.

As a result, the score reverts back to the end of the last full inning. The game ended in a 5-5 tie.

The California Supreme Court declined to review a lower court ruling that blocked Huntington Beach’s controversial voter ID policy, dealing what could be a final blow to the city’s 2024 measure approved by voters.

In a decision issued Wednesday, Jan. 28, the state high court left intact an appeals court order that said residents cannot be forced to present identification to vote at local polls.

State leaders applauded the Supreme Court’s refusal to hear the city’s arguments.

“Today’s victory makes one thing crystal clear: No city in our state, charter and non-charter alike, is above the law,” Attorney General Rob Bonta said in a statement. “Huntington Beach’s leaders have been parroting the Trump Administration’s talking points by questioning the integrity of our elections. In court, the city’s allegations were resoundingly rejected. I remain fully committed to protecting the right to vote from baseless attacks.”

Secretary of State Shirley Weber called the ruling a “victory for California, for voters, and for democracy.”

“As California Secretary of State, I have a responsibility to ensure that every eligible Californian can exercise their constitutional right to vote, and I take that duty seriously,” Weber said in a statement. “Attorney General Bonta and I have held steadfast that state law preempts the city’s attempts to impose illegal voting requirements on eligible voters and that Huntington Beach’s Measure A is unlawful.”

City representatives did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

In March 2024, Surf City voters passed by 53% Measure A, a charter amendment that would allow the city to require voters to present identification when casting a ballot in local elections starting in 2026.

“Huntington Beach voters deserve the right to know that our elections are secure. It is crucial for our democracy that voters have faith in our election results,” then Councilmember Tony Strickland and then Mayor Gracey Van Der Mark wrote in ballot arguments supporting the measure. City officials have pointed out that other states have voter ID requirements.

The following month, Bonta and Huntington Beach resident Mark Bixby, who publishes the Surf City Sentinel Facebook page, filed separate lawsuits against the city to block the implementation of the measure. Bonta said at the time that the policy “undermines that process and threatens the constitutionally protected right to vote.”

In December 2024, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed into law a bill barring cities from enacting their own voter ID laws.

The 4th District Court of Appeals ruled in November that Huntington Beach’s proposed local voter ID requirement would violate state election law — a decision that overturned an earlier trial court ruling, which supported the city’s argument that being a charter city allows local leaders greater control over municipal elections.

“This case presents us a much narrower, simpler question: Is voter identification a matter of ‘integrity of the electoral process,’ which our Supreme Court has held is a matter of statewide concern,” the judges wrote in their Nov. 3 decision.

With the Supreme Court declining to review the case, it’s not clear what other legal avenue the city has to implement a voter ID policy.

Bixby said he’s “gratified” by the high court’s decision and called the city’s challenges a “huge waste” of taxpayer funds.

Bixby intends to recover legal fees from the city, his attorney Lee Fink said.

By Bo Tefu, California Black Media

California Attorney General Rob Bonta and Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber hailed a major legal victory for voting rights after the California Supreme Court declined to review a challenge brought by the City of Huntington Beach against the state, effectively ending the city’s attempt to impose voter identification requirements in municipal elections.

The high court’s action leaves intact a Fourth District Court of Appeal ruling that struck down Huntington Beach’s voter ID law, known as Measure A, finding it unlawful and preempted by state law. By rejecting the city’s petition for review, the Supreme Court has fully resolved the case in favor of the state, concluding litigation initiated by Bonta and Weber on April 15, 2024.

Measure A amended the Huntington Beach city charter to purportedly authorize voter identification requirements at polling places for municipal elections beginning in 2026. State officials argued the measure conflicted with California election law and was adopted without evidence of voter fraud in the city. Courts at every level agreed, rejecting the city’s claims that such requirements were necessary to protect election integrity.

“Today’s victory makes one thing crystal clear: No city in our state, charter and non-charter alike, is above the law,” Bonta said. “All along, Secretary of State Weber and I have maintained that Huntington Beach’s voter ID policy is illegal, and now, the state’s highest court has weighed in and agreed with us. Measure A won’t be taking effect — ever.”

Bonta also criticized city leaders for promoting unfounded concerns about election security. “Huntington Beach’s leaders have been parroting the Trump Administration’s talking points by questioning the integrity of our elections,” he said. “In court, the City’s allegations were resoundingly rejected. I remain fully committed to protecting the right to vote from baseless attacks.”

Weber emphasized the broader implications of the ruling for voters statewide.

“Today the California Supreme Court declined to review the Fourth District Court of Appeal’s decision prohibiting the City of Huntington Beach from implementing illegal voter identification requirements,”

Weber said. “As California Secretary of State, I have a responsibility to ensure that every eligible Californian can exercise their constitutional right to vote, and I take that duty seriously.”

Weber added that state law clearly supersedes local efforts to impose additional voting barriers.

“Attorney General Bonta and I have held steadfast that state law preempts the City’s attempts to impose illegal voting requirements on eligible voters and that Huntington Beach’s Measure A is unlawful,” she said. “This is another victory for California, for voters, and for democracy.”