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Huntington Beach, California

"Surf City USA"

The official 'Surf City USA,' Huntington Beach is the epicenter of Southern California surf culture with 10 miles of uninterrupted beach.

Founded 1909 | Population 190,515 | Peak 190,515 (2024) | County Orange County

Top 10 Most Important Events for Huntington Beach, California

1909City Founded: Henry Huntington's Pacific Electric Railway reached the coast, and the city was named for the railroad magnate.

1920Oil Boom: Massive oil deposits were discovered, and the shoreline was covered with oil derricks for decades.

1959Surf Culture Takes Hold: Huntington Beach emerged as the center of surf culture, hosting major competitions and attracting surfers worldwide.

2004Surf City USA Trademark: Huntington Beach won a legal battle to trademark the title 'Surf City USA' over Santa Cruz, California.

2021Oil Spill: A pipeline rupture sent over 144,000 gallons of crude oil into the ocean off Huntington Beach, closing beaches for weeks.

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1909 Government

Founded along Pacific Electric Railway

1920 Industry

Oil boom transforms coastline

1959 Culture

Surf culture emerges

1970 Industry

Oil derricks begin coming down

2004 Culture

Trademarks 'Surf City USA'

2021 Disaster

Offshore oil spill closes beaches

2023 Government

Population exceeds 190,000

Huntington Beach legally trademarked 'Surf City USA' in 2006 after beating Santa Cruz in a bitter legal fight.

The U.S. Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach draws over 500,000 spectators annually, making it the world's largest surfing competition.

In the 1920s, the beach was so covered with oil derricks that you could barely see the ocean.

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