California Surf Museum
California Surf Museum
4.5
10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
About
Founded in 1986, the California Surf Museum mission is to preserve surfing heritage. The museum hosts a variety of cultural events from book signings to lectures, to movie nights to concerts. But the museum is most known for the wonderful rotating exhibits about surf and skateboard culture, art, and history. The whole family is welcome and you don't have to surf or skateboard to enjoy the museum.The California Surf Museum has been featured in Smithsonian Magazine, National Geographic, the BBC, the American Pickers "California Dreamin'", Hawaiian Airlines commercial, PBS "Getting Away Together" and many more. Don't miss the outdoor Secret Spot and Bethany Hamilton's surfboard while you are here. Also, shop the Museum Store for unique gifts and souvenirs. Joining as a member is a great way to get involved in volunteer opportunities and to support the museum on an annual basis. Hope to see you soon!
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4.5
194 reviews
Excellent
123
Very good
53
Average
16
Poor
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Seltzerpower
123 contributions
Sep 2022 • Couples
Mind you I am not a surfer from land locked Indiana, but we visited our Orange County friend who has surfed his whole life. We learned so much about surfing and types of boards that we had to see the museum, I also had to buy an 'evolution of surf boards' tee from their gift shop. They had an excellent-thorough tribute to Donald Takayama: Shaping Boards and Lives. They had Bethany Hamilton's Tiger shark bitten board where she lost her arm in Hawaii yet was back in the water three weeks later! The history of surf boards was interesting too. It is not expensive and the tour does not take long. We found it worth the time and money.
Written September 24, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Steve K
Hyde Park, NY68 contributions
Mar 2023
As a lifetime surfer, I found the museum to be excellent! I believe anyone with even a casual interest in surfing will find the nominal entrance fee ($7 for adults, $5 for seniors) worthwhile. There is an incredible selection of surfboards, some dating back to the virtual start of the sport, with redwood boards that look more like ironing boards :) One of the more amazing things is the actual surfboard that Bethany Hamilton was riding when she was attacked by a tiger shark in Hawaii in 2003; you think it must be an artist's version of what a board would look like if a shark bit it, but it is the real deal! The staff are very friendly and knowledgeable, and apparently, if you are there at the right time, a surfing "celebrity" might happen by. If you are in Oceanside, it is certainly worth a visit. I drove up from San Diego and found it worthwhile!
Written March 10, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MCK
3,457 contributions
Aug 2024 • Friends
Absolutely loved this museum, and my friend and I aren't even a surfers. It was very informative, great displays that takes you through the history of boards and surfers. This museum if for all ages. Don't miss the outdoor Secret Spot too. The people that worked there were very nice. There is a small fee for this neighborhood hidden gem.
If visiting Oceanside I would piggyback this museum with other places in Oceanside as we did. The museum is small and only takes an hour or maybe an hour and a half to go through. P.S. after you take in all the Surfing Museum there is a great ice cream parlor (Handel's) right down the street.
If visiting Oceanside I would piggyback this museum with other places in Oceanside as we did. The museum is small and only takes an hour or maybe an hour and a half to go through. P.S. after you take in all the Surfing Museum there is a great ice cream parlor (Handel's) right down the street.
Written December 6, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David
Minneapolis, MN3 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
Well worth seeing. History of boards, surfing, and surfers. There was also a nice exhibit featuring Bethany Hamilton, the inspirational surfer who survived a shark attack and kept surfing.
And they play cool surf music!
The staff is very friendly and knowledgeable. They are eager to answer questions and provide information.
Fun gift shop, too.
And they play cool surf music!
The staff is very friendly and knowledgeable. They are eager to answer questions and provide information.
Fun gift shop, too.
Written February 20, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dromomaniac
Greater Sydney, Australia596 contributions
Jul 2017 • Family
We were already enjoying this little surfing museum as it's well laid out and well labeled, but it went from good to a highlight of our trip in just a few minutes!
We were only about a third of the way through when we were approached by Cramer and we're so glad that he introduced himself. Cramer is one of the original California surfers, who became a full time surfer when they were considered socially unacceptable lady dropouts!
His stories of his time surfing, coupled with explanations of the exhibit pieces and many stories behind them and the people who created them, was fascinating! Cramer is also a really funny and friendly guy, who I have no doubt would have been a complete scoundrel as a young surfer - he still has an eye for the pretty girls now! He really made our visit to the museum, and our visit to California VERY memorable.
We also got quite a bit to take home from the gift shop, which had a great array of very reasonably priced items, blankets, t-shirts, sift stickers, surf stencils, books and loads of other items.
I'd say go to the museum as it's pretty interesting (and entry is very cheap), and enjoy the exhibits, and hope to meet Cramer and hear his fantastic stories!
We were only about a third of the way through when we were approached by Cramer and we're so glad that he introduced himself. Cramer is one of the original California surfers, who became a full time surfer when they were considered socially unacceptable lady dropouts!
His stories of his time surfing, coupled with explanations of the exhibit pieces and many stories behind them and the people who created them, was fascinating! Cramer is also a really funny and friendly guy, who I have no doubt would have been a complete scoundrel as a young surfer - he still has an eye for the pretty girls now! He really made our visit to the museum, and our visit to California VERY memorable.
We also got quite a bit to take home from the gift shop, which had a great array of very reasonably priced items, blankets, t-shirts, sift stickers, surf stencils, books and loads of other items.
I'd say go to the museum as it's pretty interesting (and entry is very cheap), and enjoy the exhibits, and hope to meet Cramer and hear his fantastic stories!
Written August 12, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Don'tWaitForRetirement
California5,925 contributions
Mar 2014 • Couples
So, you know dude, this isn't like one of those giant So-Cal attractions you're gonna visit like SeaWorld, LegoLand or Disney, but if you have the extra time or you're a local dude or dudette, then totally check it out...
Alright, you may not come out talking like a surfer, but after the two hours we spent there, we certainly felt like we'd learned a great deal more about surfing history and it's cultural impact on Southern California than we knew before.
We were lucky enough to park right outside the museum on the street in a 2-hour parking zone. There is a small check-in desk and then you wander into the 'San Onofre' exhibit that they have currently. (Admission is $5 for adults). The museum is on the small side, but if you're like me and you like to read just about every sign and placard and look at the gift shop, it takes about the 2-hour parking time.
Besides the current San Onofre exhibit there is also an exhibit about the progression of surf board design, as well as a display about Bethany Hamilton, including her surf board with the shark bite out of it.
Before you leave is a gift shop with quality gifts, cards, books, magnets, clothing, etc.
If you're so inclined, afterward you can walk around Oceanside and out on the pier and maybe have lunch or dinner in a local restaurant.
This museum may not make the list for most tourists, but if you're looking to do San Diego area a little more 'in-depth', the California Surf Museum combined with a wander around Oceanside and lunch or dinner makes for a fun day out!
Note: I probably wouldn't recommend this museum for children younger than 13. There are restrooms at the museum.
If you found this review helpful, please click 'yes'.
Alright, you may not come out talking like a surfer, but after the two hours we spent there, we certainly felt like we'd learned a great deal more about surfing history and it's cultural impact on Southern California than we knew before.
We were lucky enough to park right outside the museum on the street in a 2-hour parking zone. There is a small check-in desk and then you wander into the 'San Onofre' exhibit that they have currently. (Admission is $5 for adults). The museum is on the small side, but if you're like me and you like to read just about every sign and placard and look at the gift shop, it takes about the 2-hour parking time.
Besides the current San Onofre exhibit there is also an exhibit about the progression of surf board design, as well as a display about Bethany Hamilton, including her surf board with the shark bite out of it.
Before you leave is a gift shop with quality gifts, cards, books, magnets, clothing, etc.
If you're so inclined, afterward you can walk around Oceanside and out on the pier and maybe have lunch or dinner in a local restaurant.
This museum may not make the list for most tourists, but if you're looking to do San Diego area a little more 'in-depth', the California Surf Museum combined with a wander around Oceanside and lunch or dinner makes for a fun day out!
Note: I probably wouldn't recommend this museum for children younger than 13. There are restrooms at the museum.
If you found this review helpful, please click 'yes'.
Written March 6, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cheryl T
Fullerton, CA9 contributions
Sep 2019
We were in Oceanside for the U.S. Adaptive Surfing Championship. They mentioned the California Surf Museum many times over the course of the surfing event. We walked past the museum many times to and from the beach, and finally a group of 6 or 7 of us went in and spent about 40 minutes looking at the exhibits and carefully reading the stories that went with each item. The museum is small and well curated with surfboards, videos and a lot of interesting surf paraphernalia and history. Our group were participants in the surfing competition and really enjoyed the museum. Very glad that we went.
Written October 16, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Woodnhed
Plainfield, NH18 contributions
Mar 2015 • Couples
Small museum is bigger than you might think, well organized, a bargain admission. Very interesting and entertaining for surfers and non-surfers alike. Even worth more than one visit. There is more than one surf museum but if you're only going to see one, it should be this one.
Written March 27, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
veliac
los angeles52 contributions
Aug 2019 • Couples
Stopped in by chance and was pleasantly surprised about how informative this Museum is. Thoroughly enjoyed this small venue and will bring friends on next visit.
Written August 19, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vincent R
Mesa, AZ16 contributions
Jun 2019
My family really enjoyed visiting this museum. I love the american pickers and as it turns out they have been here and donated a surf board that is on display. This museum makes a great place to talk with local surfers who can answer your questions about the area and the history. Enjoy!
Written August 13, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
How long does it take to visit the museum?
Written May 22, 2023
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