Hang Ten with Hollywood's Best Surf Films

Published

Hollywood has long used California as a backdrop for many of its films. And with access to the West Coast's best waves and sandy shorelines, it's no surprise that some of the biggest surf films were shot on location of California's most beautiful beaches. From Santa Cruz to Malibu these films capture the adventurous, laid-back attitude of the Golden State.

Gerard Butler took to the sandy beaches of Half Moon Bay near Santa Cruz to film his 2012 flick Chasing Mavericks. Inspired by the true story of a young boy hoping to surf one of the biggest waves on earth, located right on the Northern California coast. 

Oscar-winning actor Matthew McConaughey also found himself filming on the Golden State coastline. The actor’s 2008 film Surfer, Dude was set in Malibu but the scenes were actually filmed just north of the city in Point Mugu. 

The late Heath Ledger also starred in a beach-centric film in 2005, Lords of Dogtown, which was shot on location in San Diego at Imperial Beach.

Check out the video above to see how many decades Hollywood has been making California beaches a filming hot spot!