Huntington Beach Pier, Huntington BeachThe original Surf City, southeast of Los Angeles, this is the surfing capital of California. Host to the annual Vans US Open Surf Event, the area has consistent waves.
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Huntington Beach officially adopted the Surf City USA nickname in 1991.
The cities of Huntington Beach and Santa Cruz both claim to be Surf City, based on their respective surfing culture. Santa Cruz was the site of first recorded surfing in California, by Hawaiians.
The annual surfing contest - the US Open of Surfing - has made Huntington Beach the surfing capital of California. Pier shooting is popular - it makes it a little bit hairier and may break your board in half. Very crowded.
Beginner-friendly surfing spots in Santa Cruz include Cowells, the Hook at Pleasure Point, and Capitola Beach. All of these spots attract surfers in large numbers and are popular for their gentle waves that are easier for beginners.
It all started in 1927 when a Northern California newspaper coined the moniker Surf City for Santa Cruz. Later, in 1991, Huntington Beach adopted the nickname Surf City USA to promote the city. In 1963, Los Angeles duo Jan and Dean recorded Surf City, a song co-written and sung by The Beach Boys' Brian Wilson.
But when it comes to epic waves, there's only one place on earth known as the “surf capital of the world.” The epic beach we're talking about is Pichilemu. Pichilemu is located in the center of Chile, right by the coast. It is a rough three-hour drive from Chile's capital, Santiago, to Pichilemu.
The first surfing references were found in Polynesia. Cave painting from the 12th Century show people riding on waves. In the course of seafarings, Polynesians brought surfing to Hawaii and the sport went viral. Surfing in Hawaii wasn't only a sport but also an important part of the religion.
Located in Orange County, California, Huntington Beach is touted as the official surf city in the USA. A classic beach break, Huntington Beach catches any swell even if other spots remain flat. You can visit any time but the best swells usually come out in winter, which is also when the summer crowds are absent.
For this reason alone Hawaii should be considered the birthplace of “modern” surfing. Yet hardly the first place that people began riding waves for fun.
According to an article from Surfer Today, a newspaper coined the name for Santa Cruz in the 1920s. Officials from Santa Cruz also supported their claim by saying the area was the first to introduce surfing to mainland America in the 1880s after three Hawaiian princesses rode waves in the water.
Cocoa Beach may be the surf capital of Florida, but there are plenty of things to do when the waves are flat (or your arms are sore). Surf addicts can visit the Florida Surf Museum inside the Ron Jon Surf Shop, which has a rotation of cool events and exhibits.
Avoid Feeding TimeDawn and dusk are prime feeding times for sharks. Unfortunately, those are also the hours surf conditions are typically at their best.