World Hum | Travel | Santa Cruz vs. Huntington Beach: A Pox on Both of Their ‘Surf City’ Houses

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8.19.05

Santa Cruz vs. Huntington Beach: A Pox on Both of Their ‘Surf City’ Houses

Oh, the battles that people and places will wage in the quest for the almighty tourist buck. The California cities of Santa Cruz and Huntington Beach are squabbling once again over the use of the moniker “Surf City USA.” The latest flare-up is the result of a state senator introducing a resolution to make Santa Cruz in his district “Surf City USA.” Not so fast, says Huntington Beach, which has filed trademark applications for “Surf City USA” and uses the name in its logo. A story in today’s Los Angeles Times details the history of the fight, which goes back 13 years. It’s ugly.

Having surfed off both cities, I propose a compromise: I suggest Huntington Beach be allowed to use the name in the summer, when the south swells roll through and the beach break heats up, and Santa Cruz take the name in the winter, when northwest swells hit Steamer Lane and Maverick’s. Fair enough, no? Can’t we all just get along?

Posted by Jim Benning • 8.19.05
Categories: Weblog • California • Los Angeles • Outdoors • Planet Theme Park