International Surfing Museum

here's been somewhat of a tussle over who's the surfing capital and who lays claim to the best surfing museum in California. We've visited three of them in Calif. and aren't taking sides. With different locations and different names, they all are run by locals who absolutely love the sport of surfing. With that, Huntington Beach takes no exception.

 Huntington Beach International Surfing Museum was founded several decades ago by a woman who's never surfed. In fact, Natalie Kotsch (pictured with a rare electric surfboard) came from a spot in Canada where there really wasn't any surfing.   She recognized this incredible beach vibe and a welcoming spirit that made her feel happy in Huntington Beach, and she got caught in a fever that snags many who live in beach areas around the globe. You don't have to surf to love watching the sport, said Kotsch. And the over 90% of residents who do not surf agree.  Thanks to her efforts, many of the great surfboards and local history have an opportunity to be preserved in a huge, cataloged collection that rotates in the museum. Tourists and locals can visit this surfing museum for a very small fee. Especially popular with surfers from around the globe, they visit the museum to share stories and find out where some of their favorite local surfers are surfing these days.