Surf towns are getting nasty across the pond, with Californian meccas Santa Cruz and Huntington Beach competing against each other in a bizarre ‘surf off’ for the title of the quintessential ‘surf city’.

Commercially savvy Huntington Beach (pictured), home to the US Open of surfing and the International Surfing Museum, has laid claim to the trademark Surf City USA and laid-back Santa Cruz in northern California wasn’t too happy.

Our verdict? Both cities rock – if you want warm waters and consistent surf, go to Huntington Beach, if you want bigger waves and are prepared for chillier waters, go north to Santa Cruz.