The San Diego Traveler

The California Surf Museum is Hitting a Swell

by Carole A. Lane on February 21st, 2007

The California Surf Museum was founded twenty-one years ago, inspired by Architect Stuart Resor’s newspaper ad, inviting anyone interested to attend a planning meeting; thirteen people participated, including George’s  Restaurant owner, Jane Schmauss, the museum’s acting director and co-founder, whom I spoke with today.

The surf museum’s first exhibit opened in an empty storefront in Encinitas’ Moonlight Plaza.  The next displayed at Promenade Plaza in Pacific Beach.

In 1991, the California Surf Museum opened their third location, a ramshackle shack near the Oceanside Pier, which served them well for many years.  This site had a view of the ocean, and with it’s bohemian vibe, it started a small following of fans and visitors that has been growing ever since.

One of the Surf Museum’s biggest supporters has been the City of Oceanside, who In 1996 offered the museum an open-ended lease for an empty store front at 223 North Coast Highway, where it sits today, receiving approximately 20,000 visitors each year.  Schmauss described this as a “wonderful arrangement” and expressed profuse appreciation the city’s support. 

First stop: The Gift Shop

Upon entering the California Surf Museum, you’ll see that the museum’s space is pretty evenly split between exhibits on the left and a gift shop ahead and on the right.

Prominent in the gift shop is a good selection of surf-inspired books.  There are photos, paintings, DVD’s, bumper stickers, t-shirts, jewelry, and various surf knick-knacks. 

With all of this to offer, I’d still say the best thing about the shop is the staff.  They’re always excited to meet visitors from near and far, to share their love of surfing, and to tell visitors about the museum.  A more welcoming group would be hard to find.

The Research Center and Educational Programs

The California Surf Museum has received and collected a treasure trove of surf literature and memorabilia, detailing the history of surfing, and especially surfing San Diego.  This collection is kept behind the counter and in the back room. The California Surf Museum has received and collected a treasure trove of surf literature and memorabilia, detailing the history of surfing, and especially surfing San Diego.This collection is kept behind the counter and in the back room. The museum provides education in the form of community outreach, field trips, and visits from surf camps, and are always willing to share their knowledge with anyone who walks through the door.

Members of the surf museum have recently been collaborating on a photo book of San Diego surfing history, drawn from the museum’s archives, and private collections.  This book will be published by Arcadia Publishers, and the proceeds will benefit the California Surf Museum.

The Museum Within the Museum

The museum exhibits spill over into the gift shop, most notably overhead.  You need only look up to appreciate the amazing collection of surf boards that the museum has  acquired, some dating back many decades.  These “sticks” are made of everything from redwood to balsa and foam, and represent the most impressive and varied of the museum’s assets.  This is also the part of the museum that remains and grows, while other exhibits change.

Current Exhibit - Tom Keck: EXPOSED

The California Surf Museum’s current exhibit pays tribute to one of the finest living surf photographers.

Tom Keck, born in Coronado, has spent his whole life in San Diego county, except for the seven years he lived in Hawaii during and right after college.  That was where he got his start as a photojournalist, shooting for the Honolulu Advertiser and the Star-Bulletin.  Most of his years since have been spent photographing both surfers and news.

Keck worked for twenty years as a news photographer for ABC television station KGTV in San Diego.  After that, he freelanced for  the Los Angeles Times San Diego bureau, and the San Diego Union-Tribune, where he still sells the occasional photo. 

Coinciding with his news photography, Tom Keck continued to surf and photograph surfers.  His surf photography can be found today in surf magazines, books, posters, calendars, and print and  broadcast media.  (See Tom Keck Photography.)  In 1993, Keck was inducted into the International Surfing Hall of Fame for surf photography.

The California Surf Museum is pleased to offer the the first ever exhibition of Tom Keck’s work.  (For more about Keck and his photographs, see the profile about him by Ken McKnight at AllAboutSurf.)

My only complaint about the surf museum’s exhibit: I’d like to see much, much more!  I’d fill up every available space with photos and memorabilia, and then add a computer or a digital photo frame or two to rotate through hundreds of other images, making the most of their small space.

Future Plans for the Museum

Speaking of small space, there are exciting plans for the museum’s expansion.  The California Surf Museum is hosting a Social Mixer at 5 p.m. tonight at the Flying Bridge.  This will be followed by their 2007 Annual Business Meeting, and the main item on the agenda, and theme of the meeting, is Expansion. 

The City of Oceanside has again come to the California Surf Museum’s aid, offering two or three sites that may allow them to triple their current size!  Although nothing has been finalized, this change looks very promising, and negotiations are progressing.

Architect Louise Ravera Balma has created several facade designs for either the current or the new location, including the most popular one shown here. 

How You Can Participate

This is one of San Diego’s free museums, and it has survived and grown through through the generosity of others.  This includes the visitors to the museum, the work of volunteers, grants, and the support of the City of Oceanside.  Some of the volunteers at the museum have received college credit or completed community service, while others are surf enthusiasts just willing to help out.

If you’d like to get involved, please attend tonight’s meeting, or the monthly meetings held on the third Wednesdays at 6 p.m., or just come by the museum anytime.  You can also become a member of the museum, or donate surfing artifacts.  All donations of time, money, or exhibits are gratefully appreciated, and you’ll meet some very nice people in the process. 

The California Surf Museum - one of Oceanside’s best attractions and about to swell into one of it’s biggest.

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