From geeks in ‘90s high school flicks to Snoop Dogg (née Snoop Lion),

The city paid a Texas-based advertising agency for the rebranding, shelling out $35,000 on research and $30,000 on the marketing plan. But despite the weighty price tag, people are not happy. “What a sad change,” wrote one commenter on the Huntington Beach Community Forum Facebook page . “This asinine ‘Soul of SoCal’ screw-up is indicative of bad government,” wrote another.However, the response hasn’t been all negative. Councilman Billy O’Connell told thethat this is “great branding” for the city. “This is Southern California's greatest city to come to," O’Connell continued. “We have great hotels. There's so much to do for families. There's great surfing.”And in the throes of mixed reviews, Visit Huntington Beach, the very organization that authorized the new name, still retains the old slogan with their website URL – ( www.surfcityusa.com) . Perhaps that’s a sign they’re not fully committed?But if they do let it go, there’s another town that would gladly pick it up. Santa Cruz has long staked a claim to the “Surf City” moniker, since 1927 when a local newspaper coined the phrase. And with reports of Hawaiians’ first Golden State surf sessions in Santa Cruz, in addition to the fact that one would be hard-pressed to argue Huntington has better waves, the NorCal town has felt gipped over the years. However, HB had the 1960s song “Surf City” by Jan and Dean working in their favor.When it comes down to it, Santa Cruz probably won’t be able to take the slogan, even if they want it – a court ruling gave the name to HB in 2006 for trademarking purposes. And since then, there have been lawsuits surrounding which town has authority to use the motto for profit, with Huntington Beach winning.Whether the town accepts it or not, the new moniker is here, but the old one will likely linger. Just like some people still call Sean Combs ‘Puff Daddy’ instead of ‘Diddy,’ or whatever it is he’s going by these days.Like the new nickname? Hate it? Respond below.