Explore the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum

Santa Cruz is an iconic city located on the coastline of California. Nothing is better known about this city than the amazing surf it offers, and the amazing history of the sport of surfing. The Santa Cruz Surfing Museum preserves this history and the importance of surfing in Santa Cruz through over 100 years of memorabilia and surfing related novels maintained by the museum. The museum overlooks Streamer Lane, which is a surfing hotspot that is known from all over the globe. There is no better place to learn more about surfing in Santa Cruz than at the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum. 

About the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum

There are many exhibits within the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum showcasing surfboards which portray the development of surfing over time. Some of these surfboards even date back to the 1940’s. The museum covers the origins of surfing in Hawaii, and how three princes within this state had such a massive influence on this sport. The building in which the museum is located was originally constructed as a memorial for a surfer, Mark Abbott, in 1967; this is to say that this museum is literally founded upon surfing. The Santa Cruz Surf Museum displays the history of the influence of surf, as well as how it was affected by pop culture. Needless to say, there is plenty to see and learn about at this museum. 

The Santa Cruz Surfing Club Preservation Society currently runs the museum. This club dates back to the early 1940’s, and is a very large part of the surfing history in Santa Cruz. The museum was opened in 1986, and since then it has continued to preserve the history of surfing within the United States. 

Located within the Mark Abbott Memorial Lighthouse, the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day of the week, with the exception of Wednesdays, on which the museum will be closed. The museum is maintained by a non-profit organization, which is to say that entry into the museum is absolutely free. (fees)

For all those interested in visiting this museum, we welcome you to stay at the Mission Inn and Suites. To reach the museum from this motel, head northeast on Mission St. from the hotel and make a right onto Fair Avenue. From there, make a left onto Delaware Avenue, followed by a right on Woodrow Avenue. Lastly, turn left onto West Cliff Drive and the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum will be located on your right. 

Stay at Mission Inn and Suites

While visiting the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum, enjoy your stay at the Mission Inn and Suites. Located only 6 minutes away from the hotel, Mission Inn and Suites offers the best rates when you book directly at: www.missioninnsantacruz.com.