The surfing tour map for Huntington Beach includes permanent statue and exhibits paying tribute to the sport of surfing.

The surfing themes are every where in California. Central Coast features Surf Beach.  Surf City Coffee is in Santa Cruz, where you'll also find the Surf City Run and Surf City Hash House Harriers. Pismo Beach with its woody car declare it is Classic California, with the surfboard strapped to the top of the sedan.

Every surf town has a surf legend as well. In Capitola, Ocean Beach, Redondo, Hermosa and all up and down the California coast you'll find a park bench, plaque, statue or even a tile mural commemorating some local hero of surfing.

When we first created this map and concept back in 1999, we thought it was a  fun idea.  We've never dropped it because beachcalifornia knows this helps tourists discover the surfing culture prominent in Huntington Beach and other beach cities along the California coast.

Among other California surfing cities where you'll see similar attractions are San Diego, Oceanside, Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach, Manhattan Beach, Ventura, Santa Barbara, Pismo Beach, Capitola, Santa Cruz, Monterey, Seaside and Sand City. Some examples we've noticed along the way include public art, or simply art forms based on surfing themes. Take, for instance, the surfboards decorating a fence in Oxnard. This is one of our favorites.

Not everybody surfs. In fact, much less than 50% of the California population does so. The sport is not for everyone, and even tourists who try it discover that there's some strength and skill required in hopping up on a board while it's moving in the water.

So for those of you who wish not to surf, go check out the statues, marble engraved names, hands and feet prints of some top surfers, and several museum style exhibits paying homage to surfing.

Begin your initiation into the world of surfing at the Huntington Beach Pier. Stand on the walkway and look down at the surfers in the water. This introduction will help you know what it's all about--catching waves. 

After you've observed this, you can walk down the steps on the north side of the pier and rent a wetsuit, surfboard and even an hour lesson at Zacks Beach Resort, tel: (714) 536-0215.  Next to Zack's tiki-themed beach facility, there's a tile mural depicting the history of Huntington Beach. On that mural you'll see surfers with red boards. Surfing is, indeed, a part of the history of Huntington Beach.  

Next wander carefully at the stop light across the street on Pacific Coast Highway to Main. Two excellent surf clothing stores are great for buying souvenirs. Jack's Surfboards has great window displays. But outside the door are the engraved plaques on the ground that commemorate famed surfers.  This exhibit is called the Surfing Walk of Fame.

Across the street is Huntington Surf and Sports outdoor exhibit. It offers the best photo ops.  It contains a bronze statue of Duke Kahanamoku, the father of surfing. Surrounding Duke on the pavement are hand and foot prints in red clay tiles. Each surfer honored also has written his or her name, along with a saying sometimes.  This exhibit was fashioned after Hollywood Walk of Fame. This is called Surfers Hall of Fame. In the vein of Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, this includes one to two events each year with inductions of the surfing stars. 2007 inductees included Robert August, Layne Beachley,  Mike Doyle, Laird Hamilton, Rob Machado, Greg Noll, Jack O'Neill, Jericho Poppler and Kelly Slater. The Surfers Hall of Fame induction ceremony is open to the public, free-of-charge.

On Main Street and adjacent blocks you'll find several surf shops that include Rockin' Fig, Sakal Surfboards, 5th Street Surfboards, Chuck Dent Surfboards, HB Wahine and The Greek fins and surf items.  At Huntington Beach Realty, owned by "The Greek" Bolen, you'll find a museum of photos, boards and surf items that are authentic, originating from one of the icons of surfing. Bob Bolen's museum is free.

Down the street on Olive and 5th Street is Huntington Beach International Surfing Museum. Exhibits include odes to musicians such The Beach Boys, some classic and collector surfboards, memorabilia and a gift store with one of the best selections of surfing music CDs. This venue also hosts free Surfing Sunday concerts in their parking lot.  Admission to the museum is very affordable.

To round out your tour, see the controversial statue of a nude male surfer that some suggested they put a pair of pants on. Ultimate Challenge on the corner of Pacific Coast Highway and Huntington Street was made by the same sculptor who designed the Duke Kahanamoku statue in front of Huntington Surf & Sport.

Finally, a stark looking cement surfboard shape called Surf Henge sits on the Huntington Beach City Beach parking lot corner of Pacific Coast Highway and Beach Boulevard.

Have you gotten hooked on the surfing craze? Don't miss the big kahuna contest called US Open of Surfing and Beach Games. It is held only one time each year, usually the last week in July.