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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

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

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

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

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

2021 Oil 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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Latest News in Huntington Beach

Jan 1, 1970

Trump’s Psychedelic Pivot: Executive Order Accelerates Review of Mind-Altering Drugs for Mental Health Crisis

President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Saturday directing federal agencies to fast-track the review and potential app…

Jan 1, 1970

White House Signals Review of Mysterious Deaths and Disappearances Among U.S. Scientists in Sensitive Fields

The Trump administration has indicated it will examine a cluster of unexplained deaths and disappearances involving at least 10 Am…

Jan 1, 1970

California’s “Stop Nick Shirley Act”: Privacy Measure or Assault on Investigative Journalism?

California lawmakers advanced a controversial bill Monday that critics have dubbed the “Stop Nick Shirley Act,” raising sharp …

Jan 1, 1970

Sexual Assault Probe and Staff Revolt Threaten to End Congressman’s California Gubernatorial Bid

Rep. Eric Swalwell’s once-promising campaign for California governor has unraveled with breathtaking speed. In little more than …

Jan 1, 1970

Pattern of Deaths and Disappearances Among U.S. Scientists Sparks Calls for Federal Scrutiny

The quiet death of a veteran NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory scientist in 2023 has resurfaced amid a string of unexplained fataliti…

Jan 1, 1970

Parolee with Prior Double-Murder Conviction Sentenced to Life Without Parole in Killing of South Los Angeles Woman

LOS ANGELES—A man previously convicted of two murders in 1998 was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole …

Complete Historical Timeline

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

Did You Know?

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.

Famous People from Huntington Beach, California

M. Shadows

Singer, Songwriter · Born Jul 31, 1981 · Age 44

The Rev

Singer, Drummer · Born Feb 9, 1981 · Died Dec 28, 2009 (age 28)

Eva Angelina

Actor, Pornographic Actor · Born Mar 14, 1985 · Age 40

Synyster Gates

Songwriter, Guitarist · Born Jul 7, 1981 · Age 44

Lauren German

Actor, Television Actor · Born Nov 29, 1978 · Age 47

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Sacramento

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