 The San Diego Architectural Foundation, in its annual "Orchids & Onions" awards for the best and worst architecture of the year, awarded the "Magic Carpet Ride" an Onion rating in 2007.The nickname of "The Cardiff Kook" comes from derogatory surfer slang for a "wannabe" surfer, and reflects the low opinion that local surfers had of the sculpture.The sculpture was criticized by surfers for its unrealistic depiction of a surfer.