May 6, 2025

View as Webpage

The Big Exchange is happening May 1-18! Scroll down for details.

If you missed Surfer Stories, the live stream is available on the California Surf Museum’s YouTube. Click here to view.

And there are three exciting Big Wednesdays (one is on a Tuesday) this month!

TOMORROW!

Wednesday, May 7

Talking about Guitars

Fender Guitars!

with Jim Washburn and special guests

Doors open at 6pm

Presentation begins about 6:30pm

$5 general admission

Free California Surf Museum members

Seating is limited. To RSVP and purchase tickets, call 760-721-6876.

Enzo & Layse, now known as The Long View Band, will be playing surf music until 6:30. After wowing our audience in January, they are back!

Included in the Stars, Cars & Guitars exhibit, on display through Sept. 1, there are four Fender guitars. The Stratocaster was introduced in 1954 and still in production. The Jazzmaster hit the Fender catalogue in 1958. The Jaguar was released in 1962. The Mustang was a sophisticated student model released in 1964. (The Jaguar is on loan from Fullerton Museum’s Leo Fender Gallery. The other three are on loan from Tom Dahnke.)

Since 1983, Jim Washburn has written about music and popular culture for the Los Angeles Times, O.C. Register, O.C. Weekly and sundry magazines and books.  The latter includes three titles on guitar history. He has guest-curated several exhibits at the Fullerton Museum Center, including one a year ago co-curated with Fender expert Richard Smith, titled “Leo Fender: Fullerton to the World.” (Another collaboration, with FMC Curator Georgette Collard, on Orange County’s punk music history is on exhibit at the museum until mid-August.) Washburn had occasion to know both Leo Fender and Dick Dale, and has always been fascinated with the O.C.-born surf music scene.

Click here for more info. Click here to watch the live stream on the California Surf Museum’s YouTube under “Live,” or watch later!

Wednesday, May 14

Book Presentation

A Journey Through Two Worlds – Beyond Social Media

with author Italy’s Severino Ricci

Doors open at 6pm

Presentation begins at 6:30pm

$5 general admission

Free California Surf Museum members

Seating is limited. To RSVP and purchase tickets, please call 760-721-6876.

“I will be sharing stories, reflections, and behind-the-scenes anecdotes from the book at the California Surf Museum, which I’m so proud to call my second home in California. The ‘two worlds’ in the title refer to California and Italy, two places that shaped who I am. The book offers a blend of travel experiences, cultural reflections, interviews, and stories that tie together art, surf culture, wellness, and the profound connections we make as we navigate life. And of course, there’s plenty of California surf spirit running through its pages!”

A Journey Through Two Worlds: Italy and California – Beyond Social Media is a captivating exploration of Severino Ricci’s life in two extraordinary places that he also deeply admires. His book weaves together diverse experiences and profound reflections that have shaped his fascinating journey. This book gives readers a unique glimpse into his Italian heritage, deep connection to the ocean, and passionate explorations of art, culture, and cuisine. Severino’s story begins in his charming hometown of San Severo in Puglia, Italy, traverses the vibrant city of Milan, and finds tranquility in the coastal town of Oceanside, California. These places are not merely locations but integral parts of his identity, playing prominent “characters” in Severino’s life story.

Click here for more info. Click here to watch the live stream on the California Surf Museum’s YouTube under “Live,” or watch later!

Tuesday, May 20

Film Screening with Live Classical Music

Art of Elan presents

Sounds & Swells

Videography and live classical music with the Hausmann Quartet and surfing footage from MacCracken Films.

Doors open at 6pm

Presentation 7-8pm

Purchase tickets online only.

$28.51 general admission

$12.51 California Surf Museum members

Click here for tickets

You do not want to miss this unique event! Art of Elan’s popular “Sounds & Swells” series returns in 2025 with newly commissioned surfing footage created by McCracken Films that showcases the natural beauty of the California coastline and its epic “swells” that attract visitors from all around the world. Videography and live classical music are synced in this engaging series that features the Hausmann Quartet playing works by California composers Lou Harrison and others.

Click here to see this event on CSM’s website.

Save the dates for these upcoming Big Wednesdays!

Details to come.

June 4: Maya and the Wave film screening. This 1h35m documentary tells the story of Maya Gabeira, the first woman to surf giant waves in Portugal. Click here for more info.

June 11: Duke Kahanamoku slide show and talk by noted historian Paul Burnett and his wife, author Claudine Burnett, recognizing the 100-year anniversary on June 14, 1925, of Duke’s heroic rescue at Corona Del Mar of eight men from the capsized boat, Thelma.

July 9: Dean Torrance talks story about “Jan and Dean” and the era of CSM’s current exhibit “Stars, Cars & Guitars.”

The Big Exchange is back May 1-18!

Get ready for BIG FUN! From May 1-18, the Big Exchange gives California Surf Museum members reciprocal admission at more than 50 museums, historic sites, gardens, and more throughout San Diego County. Click here for more information and to download your digital guide to all the participating organizations. Show your current membership card and get free entry! (Some restrictions apply at some organizations.)

Take advantage of this year’s The Big Exchange! Click here to join the California Surf Museum today or click here to renew your membership.

On May 21, come meet the winners of the 3rd Annual A. R. Gurrey, Jr. Surf Photography Competition!

Awards presentation is May 21 at 4pm at the California Surf Museum.

In an effort to encourage creative and marketable skills related to photography, the California Surf Museum invited local middle and high school students to participate by entering this competition with an original photograph to be reviewed by a panel of judges in one of six categories. Click here to read more.

At right: 2023 Best of Show winner Jesus Montano Perez shown with his winning photo “Display.” Photo by Becka Vance Photography.

For those in the San Diego area —

Sunday, June 1

Never Die Young is back at the Music Box!

Music Box

1337 India Street • San Diego CA 92101

Doors open at 6pm • Concert begins at 7pm

Seated show. Ages 21+.

General Admission Seat Ticket Price: $25 adv / $27 day of

Gold Circle Seat Ticket Price (seat within 1st 5 rows): $30 adv / $32 day of

Click here for more information and to purchase tickets.

Note: Tickets available at box office. Convenience service charges apply for online purchases. 

PARKING: Street parking and paid lot parking available.

The Music of James Taylor and Friends with Never Die Young 

Never Die Young features David Sheils on vocals and guitar and longtime friend and collaborator guitarist Tim Godwin. Together, they have recorded, toured, written, and sang with classic artists such as Air Supply, Chicago, Shelby Lynn, Laura Brannigan, Tower of Power, and Pat Benatar. Joined by the beautiful vocals of Kylea Sheils and stellar San Diego musicians Jim Reeves on bass, Josh Weinstein on keyboards, Bob Sales on drums and Larry Grano on percussion and vocals. Never Die Young celebrates the songs of James Taylor and some of his closest friends; they bring a genuinely heartfelt and authentic interpretation of some of the greatest songs ever written! Never Die Young will take you down that Country Road and make you feel like You’ve Got a Friend. Come out and enjoy and wonderful evening of intimate songs and stories.

Saturday, August 23 • 3-8pm

2nd Annual Rolling from the 60s into the 70s

Celebrating the culture and history of skateboarding and presentation of the 2025 Silver Skater awards.

Co-emcees: Denis Shufeldt

and Brian Logan

Guest Speaker: Steve Olson



2025 Silver Skater Honorees

Linda Benson

Joey Cabell

Ed Economy

Jim Ganzer

Randy Lewis

Carrasco Brothers: Richy, Rene, David

$85 admission includes dinner and one drink ticket

$225 Silver Skater Package. Includes dinner and one drink ticket, event t-shirt and hat, 13 tickets for Spin to Win ($130 value), and entry into drawing for a California Surf Museum one-year membership.

A limited number of reserved tables are available:

$680 reserved table of 8

$1,800 reserved table of 8 with Silver Skater Packages



Click here to get your tickets now! This event sold out last year!

It's all happening at the

Veterans Association of North County

1617 Mission Ave. Oceanside 92058

In conjunction with the Skateboarding Hall of Fame and Museum.

Click here to keep up-to-date on this event!

If you have not yet seen it, come check out one of our most dynamic exhibits to date! So much to see!

This “blast from the past” exhibit demonstrates how, in less than a decade, from the years from 1958 to 1965, surfing related elements came to dominate popular culture forming a lasting effect on California, America and the world at large. From iconic record albums, period surfboards, fashion artifacts, seminal photographic images and memorabilia, visitors will get a clearer sense of why this era is considered the “golden age” of surfing and the surfing lifestyle. On display through September 1.

Be sure to check out surfmuseum.org!

There’s always lots to see!

As we gear up for the 17th Annual Gala Fundraiser, be sure to see all the fun and fundraising at the wrap up of the 16th Annual Gala Fundraiser here.

Click here to see past issues of the California Surf Museum’s newsletter OUTSIDE! going back to 2007! We still have more to upload.

Take a look around past events in the Event Archive.

Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram!

And don’t forgot to follow the California Surf Museum on YouTube! Lots to see there too! Including videos from past events and the very popular “Jan and Dean Sidewalk Surfin’” video.

The California Surf Museum Exhibit Hall is Open

10am-4pm Daily

NOW ON EXHIBIT

Click here to read about some of our exhibits online.

• Stars, Cars & Guitars: The Birth of the Modern Surf Era 1958-1965 through September 1, 2025
• GHOST WAVE: The Mystery of Cortes Bank
• Wave Science: Coastal Data Information Program (CDIP)
• A Brief History of Surfboards: from Wood to Foam and Fiberglass
• Courageous Inspiration: Bethany Hamilton
• Making Waves: Jack and Reid Van Wagoner
• Bodysurfing: Fins and Handplanes

Shop the California Surf Museum Store!

Surfing Monkeys are back!

In store only — no shipping

Our Museum Store is stocked up with lots of unique merchandise both in store and online! Click here to shop online (California Surf Museum members: be sure to call in your order to get your 10% discount on California Surf Museum-branded store merchandise).

Remember, memberships always make great gifts -- click here -- or click here to renew your membership today! Besides 10% off on California Surf Museum-branded store merchandise, members get free admission to our exhibit hall, and free or reduced admission to our Big Wednesdays and other in-house events.

Already a member? Be sure to share the stoke by sharing your guest passes with your friends and family!

Mission Statement

The California Surf Museum serves as an international repository and resource center on the lifestyle sport of surfing by capturing, preserving, and chronicling its art, culture and heritage for the education and enjoyment of current and future generations.