Legend has it that Jan and Dean's 1963 song "Surf City" was inspired by Huntington Beach. And while the claims of "two girls for every boy" may be a bit over the top, Huntington Beach has definitely staked a claim to the "Surf City USA" title. The summer brings southern swells from storms in Mexico, while western swells from the North Pacific grace the beach in winter. All in all, it adds up to epic waves all year round.

The city of Huntington Beach, named for railroad magnate Henry Huntington, got its start as an oil mining town. When the surfing craze hit, this blue-collar ambience gave Huntington Beach a gritty quality lacking in other surf spots. People didn't come for the glamour; they came for the waves.