Best Army Museum Huntington Beach Near Me

4worldlovers:
FROM BEACHCALIFORNIA.COM: There'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.


By becoming a member you are helping us to preserve surfing’s heritage. Thank you for making the difference.

10% off all purchases in our gift shop or online for 1 year

Applications can be dropped off at the Museum or mailed to:

4worldlovers:
The Newland House Museum (pictured above) is the oldest residence built in the city of Huntington Beach and is maintained by the Huntington Beach Historical Society for all to see.


This house was built in 1898 for Huntington Beach pioneers William and Mary Newland and their ten children.


The original Newland ranch extended from Beach Blvd. to Magnolia and from Yorktown south to Atlanta for a total of 500+ acres in which they planted lima beans, sugar beets, celery and later chili peppers. The house is open for tours to the public.

4worldlovers:
The Fort MacArthur Museum is dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of the history of Fort MacArthur, a U.S. Army post which guarded the Los Angeles harbor from 1914 to 1974. The Museum was established in 1985, and it is housed in the corridors and galleries of historic Battery Osgood-Farley. The Fort MacArthur Reservations hold an important collection of historical structures which were part of the U.S. Army's role in the defense of the American continental coastline from invasion. These structures clearly trace the development of American coastal defenses, from the all big gun era of the turn of the century to the missile era of today.

The rooms, galleries and corridors of the Museum contain a variety of exhibits and displays which include: the history of Los Angeles harbor defenses, home-front activities in the greater Los Angeles area during the World Wars, Civil Defense, American Pacific Theater military campaigns, early American Air Defenses and the important role of Los Angeles as a military port for both the Army and the Navy.


More than 40% of the museums operating budget comes from people who like what we do and want to contribute to our success.

The Fort MacArthur Museum Association is a 501(C)(3) non-profit corporation registered with the IRS and the State of California.

Your donations help us continue our work by providing funding for materials necessary for us to continue our restoration, preservation, and educational activities.

Donations don't have to be substantial, as we have a track record of making a little money go a long way, $20 can buy a can of paint, a length of lumber, box of nails, or an assortment of other needed items.

Recent changes to the property have caused the City of Los Angeles to re-direct the vehicle access to the museum. Please follow the blue line on the map below and enter through the 32nd St. Gate.