When one thinks of Southern California one likely thinks of beaches and, of course, surfing.
Surfing in Southern California has played a significant role in the development of the sport, and of the growth in many coastal towns.
It is, indeed, for many a lifestyle, with a culture and even a language all its own. Consider how surfing spawned movies (remember Gidget?) and songs (hey, where would be Beach Boys be without surfing?).
It is likely a rare beach along the coast that does not appeal to surfers for different reasons, and some areas have become downright famous...such as Swami's Beach in south Encinitas. Towns like Leucadia (part of Encinitas) and Cardiff retain much of the feel of the old surfing community, and surf shops can be found in abundance along the coast.
READ MORE: Surfing, USA - Well, in Carlsbad and Surrounding Areas
Baseball has its hall of fame museum, as do many other sports, and we can proudly say we have the California Surf Museum, an amazing memorial to the history of surfing and the many people who have been, and currently are, part of this worldwide sport, lifestyle and culture, and a testimony to the many who have worked hard over the years to preserve this piece of Americana.
The California Surf Museum, founded in 1986, was originally located on the Coast Road in the heart of Oceanside and just recently moved to its new digs around the corner at 312 Pier View Way, 1 ½ blocks west of the coastal road.
READ MORE: My original article from 2007 Visit the California Surf Museum
The new building is amazing, with substantially more space (over 5000 SF), high ceilings, and lots of room for the many surfing artifacts, as well as the unique gift shop.
The gift shop offers all sorts of shirts, jewelry, books, photos, and much more. The theme is what you would expect, and any lover of surfing, or even if there is just casual interest, will find something fun to acquire or to give as a gift.
It would be hard to describe everything that the California Surf Museum holds in their collections - the history of surfing in the US and elsewhere, and the surfing legends who are such a vital part of this culture, are magnificently captured in the numerous photos, printed materials, posters, trophies, art work, vintage bathing suits, and an impressive collection of skateboards (which became popular in the surfing world when you couldn't surf or simply wanted to "surf" the streets) and old roller skates.
Most special, of course, is their collection of historic surfboards - not sure how many but it had to be 50 or more - that truly recounts the history of surfing from its early beginnings in Polynesia.
The California Surf Museum is an incredible collection of surfing memorabilia and a "must see" for anyone in the area, or any visitor, who has even a passing interest in surfing and the impact it has had in our area, and as a worldwide sport. Surfing IS Southern California, as a drive up and down the coast road will immediately demonstrate. You owe it to yourself to visit.
BTW their Grand opening Celebration is TONIGHT, March 26 beginning at 5 PM, with some legendary guests.
Call (760) 721-6876 or visit their website, Surf Museum.
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Jeff - Great post! You always do an awesome job of giving in-depth information on local places.
Wow...talk about a shining spanking clean museum for boards (even skateboards) and surf stuff.
Jeff, I did not know that there was a Surfing Museum anywhere.
You need to do a video with you on a surf board, but standing on one on the sand does not count ......... LOL
Hey Jeff,
Great info on the surf museum. It's like a flash back in time for me! The roller skates on the wall were hillarious, I can remember those well.
Great job!
I'm with George, who knew? But I think I hear Beach Boys music playing. Zuma and Malibu were my beaches back when -
A surf museum? How cool! I never thought of that, but what a great idea. Our waves aren't really big enough to have something of this nature, but I love learning about the evoluton of boards, techniques, etc., and the people who played a part in the changes =)
Jeff
Cool. Once again looking at surf boards and all the neat stuff by you brings me back to that old Riviera song.
Sincerely
Tom
Thanks, Maria. I appreciate the compliment. It's a fun place to visit.
Sally - the new museum is amazing, as are the collections. How neat that these memorabilia have been preserved.
Geogre - hmmm, well, I think standing on the sand would be about it for me. ALthough I do have this fantasy...
Lynda - as do I. Never been a skateboarder, though.
Dena - you can't help but think about their music. Yep, been to those beaches - bet they have changed a bit.
Lisa - thankfully someone years ago had the vision. It's a very neat opportunity to learn
Tom - oh yes, and other songs as well.
Jeff
Jeff - what a cool place, and I will definitely have to make a trip to view this museum. My daughter is really into surfing and I know woudl really enjoy seeing this museum. We will have to plan a trip - thanks for the info!
Jeff, What a great museum! The surfing culture is very special in Southern California. I think my brother got his first surfboard in the late 1950's...it was huge. As the years and the sport progressed he used to make his own surfboards, knee boards and skateboards...long before they were popular. La Jolla was always a great beach for surfing because the beach is so flat and gentle. You truly live and work in paradise! What a great Localism post!
Jeff, thanks for the post. I have actually never been to the museum, but being a surfer I really need to make the trip up to Oceanside.