By Haneen Bany-Mohammed, Staff Writer
Huntington Beach, also known as Surf City, USA, is about more than just surfing. Founded in 1909, Huntington Beach gets a bad rap compared to other cities in Orange County such as Laguna Beach or Anaheim Hills. Little did you know Huntington Beach is a bit more interesting than you’d expect.
1) Huntington Beach is home to a surfing museum. Not just any surfing museum, but the International Surfing Museum! Dedicated to Duke Kahanamoku, a Native Hawaiian competitor who popularized the sport of surfing, this museum holds artwork, relics, and varieties of vintage longboards. The surfing museum also holds community events and free concerts featuring surf rock, so it is a must-see!
2) Huntington Beach is home to many famous people and the set of even more famous movies. Ever heard of “2012” or “Beverly Hills, 90210”? They were filmed right here in HB! Other movies filmed in Huntington Beach include “Graceland,” “Dexter,” “Cougar Town” and many more. Tara Barr, an actress born and raised in Huntington Beach, has made numerous appearances throughout Disney channel as a child and is most known for role in the 2011 film “God Bless America,” which earned her a Young Artist Award nomination as Best Leading Young Actress in a feature film, as well as her role in the Hulu original series “Casual.” Other significant figures include Tito Ortiz, a semi-retired mixed martial artist, and American actor Brent Rivera.
3) In 2013, a 12-foot-long, shortfin Mako shark was hauled in Huntington, and it weighed over 1,000 pounds. Mako sharks are known to be the fastest shark in the ocean, can jump up to 20 feet out of the water and have been blamed for many reported shark attacks on humans. You might want to watch out next you go surfing…
4) Huntington Beach has its own little European countryside. Right across the street from Bella Terra, the Old World Village has international shops ranging from Italian to Swedish, restaurants and stores with beautiful architecture and festivals around the holiday seasons.
5) Last but not least, the Huntington Beach Pier was built before the city was founded back in 1903 and is one of the longest public piers on the West Coast. Ruby’s Diner, at the end of the pier, offers a 360-degree view of the ocean and city, making it the best pier on the west coast!
