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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