Surfing Heritage, Museums and Attractions

There’s more to the sport of surfing than just catching gnarly waves. It also holds one of the most interesting histories in sports today. From surfing immortals such as Duke Kahanamoku to modern day legends like Kelly Slater, the pioneers of surfing are honored in Surf City USA®. The highest honor, induction into the Surfers’ Hall of Fame, is bestowed upon those who’ve exhibited extraordinary skills in humanity and surfing. Hall of Fame induction ceremonies are exciting and happen once a year during the US Open of Surfing.

The International Surfing Museum: The International Surfing Museum is a surfing heritage museum that pays homage to the sultans of surf who helped build Huntington Beach into a gold standard surfing destination. Watch surfing films, listen to surf music and explore an awesome collection of surfing memorabilia from 10‘ surfboards to classic photography.

Surfers’ Hall of Fame: A ceremony is held every year during the US Open of Surfing to induct some of the world’s greatest surfers into the Surfers’ Hall of Fame. Handprints, footprints and signatures are engrained into a cement sidewalk in front of Huntington Surf and Sport. The famed, bronzed statue of the Father of Surfing, Duke Kahanamoku, also stands here.

Surfing Walk of Fame: With names of surfing heroes engraved in a granite sidewalk, the Surfing Walk of Fame honors those who played important roles in building the sport into what it is today. Inductees include past surfing champions, influential women and local heroes of the sport, surf pioneers and more.

Bob Bolen’s Surf Museum: Operated out of a real estate office, Bob Bolen’s Surf Museum is a must-stop on any surfing history tour of Huntington Beach. The museum is run by the famous Bob Bolen, inventor of the Turbo Tunnel fin. Find surfboards, photos and other memorabilia.