HUNTINGTON BEACH

The first stage in the Waterfront Hilton expansion, a courtyard for banquets and receptions, will open Friday. Covering 4 1/2 acres, the Pacific Courtyard features a 5,200-square-foot white canvas tent, landscaped grounds and a walkway leading to a gazebo. The courtyard, which cost more than $2 million to build, includes a tennis court, a sand volleyball court and 150 parking spaces. The Hilton has plans to eventually replace the courtyard with a 200-room hotel, but that depends on the success of the proposed 520-room hotel and conference center next door. The economics of the second hotel will dictate the progress of the third hotel, General Manager John Gilbert said. Construction on the second hotel is expected to begin in July.