California Surf Museum

An amazing resource for surfers rests at the corner of North Coast Highway and Pier View Way in Oceanside. Nestled among cafes and shops is the California Surf Museum, home to a very impressive collection of classic surf memorabilia and history.Established in 1986, the primary goal of the museum is to educate the public about surf culture and the history of surfing. This is accomplished by presenting fascinating exhibits that are free to visit. The current exhibit at the California Surf Museum is titled Early California Surfriders: A Tribute to Doc Ball and includes surfboards dating back to the early 20th century, countless classic surf photographs, the first surfing trophy ever presented to a contest winner, and the first water camera ever used for surf photography (built by Doc Ball himself). This is the 15th exhibit for the museum, and will continue being shown until the fall. Attracting 25,000 visitors each year, the California Surf Museum is an important landmark for Oceanside, for San Diego County, and for surfing culture in general. The museum exists thanks to support from the city of Oceanside and the County of San Diego, as well as the donations of museum members and visitors (a $1 donation is suggested at the door , a small price to pay for a trip back in time!). Many of the items on display are donations or are on loan from collectors or legendary surfers like Doc Ball and Tom Blake. Some of the goals for the museum in the future include more space, better funding, and more special events like book signings, film screenings, and lectures by some of the original surfers that helped shape the culture. The focus here is on the education and preservation.Many surfers and individuals interested in surfing have seen some of the classic photographs from the early days of the sport; timeless shots from Hawaii and San Onofre, images featuring Duke Kahanamoku, and groups of smiling friends posed holding 10 foot wooden boards behind them. The California Surf Museum has some of these on display, as well as many rare black-and-whites that also capture the excitement and satisfaction of riding a wave. Both famous pioneers and unknown watermen grace the walls of the museum. Also, the collection of boards and other pieces of memorabilia is very impressive. A casual visitor will enjoy strolling through the museum and admiring the old photos, boards, relics, and stories. People more interested in surf culture and history could spend hours examining these rare artifacts from a time before wetsuits, surf companies, SUVs, and contests. From photos of early female surfers and classic lineups in the water to hollow wooden boards and original surf club attire, the California Surf Museum has something for just about everyone interested in the sport. The California Surf Museum is worth stopping by for a day or just a few minutes. The hours of operation are Thursday to Monday from 10am-4pm, and admission is free (but try to give a buck or two). The museum is closed on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and holidays. For more information about the California Surf Museum visit http://www.surfmuseum.org or give them a ring at (760) 721-6876.