Surfing and Hawaii have always gone hand in hand but in 1885 this great white water sport was rumored to have hit the coast of California, and has since sparked a "wave" of activity that has never washed out to sea.

Follow along as we catch a wave on a visit to the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum, where you can follow the evolution of hanging ten. Wall-to-wall photographs from the 40s to today and surfboards decorate the inside, while real surfing veteran docents tell you "chilling" stories of what it was like to surf before the invention of the wetsuit.

Just down the beach from the museum is Santa Cruz's world-class hotel, the West Coast Santa Cruz Hotel. Every room has an ocean view and is only a five-minute walk from the boardwalk. A place for the whole family, the West Coast Santa Cruz Hotel is also the location of Club Ed's Surfing School.

So not only can you see the evolution of surfing you can also take a lesson and see what it takes to ride the waves with the locals. Club Ed is a fun and friendly environment that teaches surf instruction. Even if you have never looked at a surfboard, the instructors at Club Ed will cater to your every need and help you understand the swells and crashes of each ocean wave.

Surfing isn't just for the young, people of all ages enjoy taking Ed's lessons and there is no greater feeling then riding your first wave all the way to the beach.

Santa Cruz Surfing Museum
Mark Abbott Memorial Lighthouse
West Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, CA
(831) 420-6289
www.santacruzparksandrec.com

West Coast Santa Cruz Hotel
175 West Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, CA
(831) 426-4330

Club Ed
(831) 459-9283
www.club-ed.com