Surf City (song)

"Surf City" is a 1963 song recorded by American music duo Jan and Dean about a fictitious surf spot where there are "two girls for every boy". it was the first surf song to become a national number one hit. In 1991, after moving to Huntington Beach, California, Dean Torrence helped convince elected officials that the town be officially nicknamed Surf City. In 2006, the official trademark of "Surf City USA" was registered to Huntington Beach with the U. S. Patent & Trademark Office after an extended legal challenge from merchants in Santa Cruz. As of 2024, more than 90 businesses in the city included "Surf City" as part of their name.

The first draft of the song, with the working title "Goody Connie Won't You Come Back Home", was written by Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys. While at a party with Jan Berry and Dean Torrence, Wilson played "Surfin' U. S. A." for them on the piano. Berry and Torrence suggested that they do the song as a single, but Wilson refused, as "Surfin' U. S. A." was intended for the Beach Boys. Wilson then suggested that the duo record "Surf City" instead, demoing the opening, verse, and chorus. Wilson had lost interest in the song and believed he was never going to complete it himself. Berry later contributed additional writing to the song, while Torrence also contributed several phrases, but never insisted that he be given writing credit. According to Beach Boys historian Andrew G. Doe and Jan & Dean historian Mark A. Moore, Brian Wilson also sang on this song.

The song was one of many California related songs played throughout "Sunshine Plaza" in the original Disney California Adventure.