The Wide World of Small Museums: The International Surfing Museum

Surfing is one of those skills that, when performed perfectly, looks so fluid and simple to the average spectator. Bot within the first few minutes of your very first surfing lesson, you realize that it's not easy. The act of surfing is very difficult, and it takes years and years to perfect. But when you see someone who masters the breaking waves, few sights are as profoundly beautiful.

The International Surfing Museum, located in an art deco-style building in Huntington Beach, celebrates all the historic sport has to offer.

Exhibits include a tribute to the father of modern surfing, Duke Kahanamoku; a commemoration of "surf culture," including Dick Dale's first guitar and a small theater playing Bruce Brown's iconic 1966 surf movie "Endless Summer;" and a historic wooden board used by the first surfer at Huntington Beach. There are also a wide variety of surfing-inspired sculptures that visitors can check out, as well as a variety of surf-related shows throughout the year.

Entry to the museum costs $2 per person. For more information, check out the website.

The International Surfing Museum
411 Olive Ave, Huntington Beach, CA 92648; (714) 960-3483
Hours: Tuesdays noon to 8 p.m.; Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Sundays noon to 5 p.m.; Saturdays noon to 7 p.m.