Huntington Beach Surf City USA: Guide to California Surfing Capital
Huntington Beach earns its Surf City USA trademark with world-class waves, the annual US Open of Surfing, the Surfing Walk of Fame, and 10 miles of uninterrupted Pacific beach.
Surf City USA
Huntington Beach holds the federally registered trademark Surf City USA — a distinction earned through decades of surfing history, world-class competitions, and a beach culture that is woven into the fabric of everyday life here. Located 35 miles south of Los Angeles and 20 miles west of Disneyland, Huntington Beach sits at the intersection of classic California beach culture and contemporary sports tourism.
The Waves
The surf at Huntington Beach is consistently excellent — a product of unique underwater geography that funnels south and northwest swells into powerful, well-formed waves. The Huntington Beach Pier, stretching 1,850 feet into the Pacific, is one of the longest piers on the US West Coast and provides a dramatic vantage point for watching surfers navigate the breaks on either side.
US Open of Surfing
Each July, Huntington Beach hosts the US Open of Surfing — one of the largest surf competitions in the world. Over the course of a week, the event draws hundreds of thousands of spectators to the beach, transforming the downtown waterfront into a festival of surfing, music, skateboarding, and beach culture.
The Surfing Walk of Fame
Running along PCH near the pier, the Surfing Walk of Fame honors the legends of the sport. Honorees include Duke Kahanamoku, Kelly Slater, and other surfing icons. The International Surfing Museum nearby provides broader historical context for the sport evolution.
Beyond Surfing
Huntington Beach 10 miles of uninterrupted beach are the longest in Los Angeles and Orange County combined, offering exceptional space for beach volleyball, cycling on the Strand bike path, and simple beachgoing. The downtown area along Main Street has grown into a sophisticated dining and entertainment district.
