On Hwy–1, 22 miles South of Los Angeles. A major international surfing tournament takes place here each September, but come to Huntington Beach on any weekend and you’ll find scores of surfers – some highly-skilled, some just beginning – riding some of the best waves in the state. Imported from Hawaii, surfing first appeared in California in 1907 but didn’t achieve wide popularity until the invention of the lightweight, fiberglass surfboard during the late 1950s. If you fancy your chances in the water, there are plenty of surfboard rental outlets around the entirely beach-focused town. You won’t be surprised to hear that they also host the International Surfing Museum (http://www.surfingmuseum.org), 411 Olive Ave, it’s pretty much what you’d expect of a surfing museum, but worth looking around nevertheless.

At night, the biggest party for miles takes place around the 500 fire rings, which line the sands: a scene of barbecues, rowdy behaviour, and much anecdote swapping in impenetrable surfers’ slang.