The California Surf Museum in Oceanside, California, is 40 minutes north of downtown San Diego. It has become an important attraction with over 600,000 visitors and counting. Founded in 1986, it was recently relocated to its brand new bigger space downtown. Permanent exhibits include a history of surfboards from wood to fiberglass, measuring surface temperature and wave directions, body surfing and handplanes, the first surf camera housing, and surfing art and culture. Long-term displays include Bethany Hamilton’s surfboard, Kelly Slater’s surfboard, and Eddie Aikau’s rescue board, among others. There are also temporary exhibits like China Beach: Surfers, the Vietnam War, and the Healing Power of Waves. Seasoned and budding surfers alike will be intrigued.

Address: California Surf Museum, 312 Pier View Way, Oceanside, CA, Phone: 760-721-6876

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