 |
 |
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
 | History of Surf City USA® |
| Let’s Go Surfin’ |
| A Beach Town Holiday |
| Hosting Journalists |
History of Surf City USA®H.E. Huntington, the city’s founder, was also the man responsible for helping to introduce the sport of surfing to California in 1910 when he hired George Freeth, an experienced surfer from Hawaii, to come to the coast and give demonstrations of this ancient Polynesian sport.
A few short years later, legendary surfer, swimmer and actor Duke Kahanamoku would play an instrumental role in popularizing the sport in Huntington Beach and throughout Southern California, creating a local legacy that defines the city to this day.
In the 1950s, surfing began to take off and more fully define Huntington Beach’s image. The first U.S. Championship was staged in Huntington Beach in 1959. Today the event, now known as the US Open of Surfing, is the largest and most prestigious professional surfing and lifestyle event in North America, attracting more than 600 of the
world’s top surfers and 500,000 spectators.
Gordie’s Surf Boards was the first surf shop in Huntington Beach, opening in 1955, but it was Jack’s Surfboards in 1957, still located on Main Street, that has become one of the best-known shops of its kind in the world.
In the 1960s, Huntington Beach became linked to its present day nickname when the popular Jan and Dean song "Surf City" climbed the music charts, fueling the fantasy of a California beach lifestyle to the rest of the nation. Dean Torrence resides in Huntington Beach and is a prominent member of the community today.
A few short years later, legendary surfer, swimmer and actor Duke Kahanamoku would play an instrumental role in popularizing the sport in Huntington Beach and throughout Southern California, creating a local legacy that defines the city to this day.
In the 1950s, surfing began to take off and more fully define Huntington Beach’s image. The first U.S. Championship was staged in Huntington Beach in 1959. Today the event, now known as the US Open of Surfing, is the largest and most prestigious professional surfing and lifestyle event in North America, attracting more than 600 of the
world’s top surfers and 500,000 spectators.
Gordie’s Surf Boards was the first surf shop in Huntington Beach, opening in 1955, but it was Jack’s Surfboards in 1957, still located on Main Street, that has become one of the best-known shops of its kind in the world.
In the 1960s, Huntington Beach became linked to its present day nickname when the popular Jan and Dean song "Surf City" climbed the music charts, fueling the fantasy of a California beach lifestyle to the rest of the nation. Dean Torrence resides in Huntington Beach and is a prominent member of the community today.
Let’s Go Surfin’
As a Midwesterner moving to Southern California I had many preconceived notions about surfers – surfers were blonde dudes, obviously tan and muscular and ranging in age from 16 to 24. I was quickly proven wrong! During my first venture to the beach I saw men and women of all shapes, sizes, ethnicity and ages. Surfing is not just a sport, but a way of life in Huntington Beach – generations have passed the passion of catching a wave down through their families. On any given morning, afternoon or evening moms, business men, grandparents and grandchildren can be seen readying their boards and heading for the surf.
| Women’s only surf club offers daycare |
| Surf clubs for a cause |
| Competitive surf clubs |
| Social surf clubs |
| Many surf clubs offer lessons |
A Beach Town Holiday“Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow” – I guarantee Southern Californians will not be singing that tune in Huntington Beach, but that doesn’t mean the holidays in Surf City USA are not festive! This coastal town offers visitors a variety of seasonal celebrations from a downtown parade, which includes the California Woody, the classic wagon synonymous with surfing and the beach, and a pier lighting ceremony to the annual boat parade where celebratory boats cruise through the channels of the harbor and the popular Cruise of Lights tour through Huntington Harbour where hundreds of harbor residents decorate their multi-million-dollar homes, docks and yachts with thousands of twinkling lights and animated figures such as, Rudolph, Santa Claus and beach town themes with palm trees and dolphins. Voted one of the Top Ten Holiday events by Coastal Living Magazine!
Hosting Journalists
The HBCVB hosts press trips designed to give qualified journalists the first-hand experience necessary to make their stories stand out. Individual press trips allow for a customized itinerary based on a journalist's interests and offer flexible scheduling options.
Depending on the nature of the assignment, the HBCVB can assist with story ideas, information and recommendations, to coordinating suggested itineraries. Please note that all arrangements are provided through the discretion of the HBCVB and its partners and are subject to the availability and interest of each facility. Black-out periods may be experienced during the year, which may necessitate a press rate, especially for hotel accommodations.
Please allow 4-6 weeks advance notice for media hosting and itinerary assistance. Please be prepared to suggest dates of arrival and departure and, if possible, alternate dates. Indicate if you need accommodations, admission to attractions and/or an itinerary. We also need to know whether your travel budget includes costs for any or all of the services that are arranged by our office.
To request additional information, to receive a Huntington Beach press kit or to discuss a personal press trip, contact Wendy Haase at 714-969-3492 or wendy@surfcityusa.com.
Depending on the nature of the assignment, the HBCVB can assist with story ideas, information and recommendations, to coordinating suggested itineraries. Please note that all arrangements are provided through the discretion of the HBCVB and its partners and are subject to the availability and interest of each facility. Black-out periods may be experienced during the year, which may necessitate a press rate, especially for hotel accommodations.
Please allow 4-6 weeks advance notice for media hosting and itinerary assistance. Please be prepared to suggest dates of arrival and departure and, if possible, alternate dates. Indicate if you need accommodations, admission to attractions and/or an itinerary. We also need to know whether your travel budget includes costs for any or all of the services that are arranged by our office.
To request additional information, to receive a Huntington Beach press kit or to discuss a personal press trip, contact Wendy Haase at 714-969-3492 or wendy@surfcityusa.com.
