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MUSEUM HISTORY
The California Surf Museum was founded in February 1986, inspired by Stuart Resor's newspaper ad inviting anyone interested to attend a planning meeting; thirteen people participated. The museum first opened in Encinitas, relocated to Pacific Beach, then to a building - 308 North Pacific Street (since demolished) - at the head of the Oceanside Pier, before settling into its current, and hopefully permanent, 223 North Coast Highway location in Oceanside.
Each year the California Surf Museum presents a unique standing display of surfing equipment and photographs. The exhibit may highlight a high-profile pioneering legend, a spectacular surf spot, surfboard styles and/or shapers, a special time in surfing history, or one of many cultural spin-offs this exciting lifestyle has fostered. The museum also has a small gift shop that retails surfing-related merchandise. 20,000 people visit the museum annually.
The California Surf Museum is incorporated in the state of California, and is approved by the Internal Revenue Service as a tax deductible 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization. The museum is staffed by one part-time employee who is assisted by a number of volunteers.
In 1997 the City of Oceanside donated the use of our prime corner location for a period of ten years. At a time when the historical roots of many beach communities are rapidly changing and/or disappearing, the California Surf Museum is rising to the challenge of providing a strong link between the ocean, the many ocean sports, and the lifestyles of the community.
Surfing has inspired its own subculture throughout the years. It has its own highly specialized equipment and paraphernalia, music, clothing, art, film, and language. It is a lifestyle at the very heart of the Southern California beach culture. It is the museum's commitment to gather and display this treasured memorabilia for future generations to enjoy.
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