Santa Cruz in Santa Cruz County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Surf's Up

A Birthplace of the Sport

— Historic Walking Tour —

Surf's Up Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Joseph Alvarado, July 7, 2022

1. Surf's Up Marker

Inscription. As early as 1885, Hawaiian princes were reported to have ridden waves at the San Lorenzo River mouth on boards shaped from local redwood. The surfing craze hit Santa Cruz in the 1930s and local teens were soon hooked on the sport.

Ever since, surfing has been a part of what makes Santa Cruz unique. Surfers of all ages can be seen paddling all year round in the chilly waters of Monterey Bay. Today surfing is enjoyed by millions around the world.

In the late 1930s local teens, eager to start surfing, built their surfboards in the high school workshop. These boards weighed 60-90 pounds. Transporting and storing the “big sticks” soon became a problem. Local surfer David “Buster” Stewart invited his friends to store their boards at his parents’ house near Cowell Beach. Thus was born the legendary Santa Cruz Surfing Club.

100 Years – Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk – Millions of Memories

Erected by Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Parks & Recreational Areas • Sports. A significant historical year for this entry is 1885.

Location. 36° 57.873′ N, 122° 0.837′ W. Marker is in Santa Cruz, California, in Santa Cruz County. Marker can be reached from Beach Street. The marker is mounted

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to the boardwalk railing above the beach, next to the Cliff Hanger. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 400 Beach Street, Santa Cruz CA 95060, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Leo the Lion (within shouting distance of this marker); Whiting's Foods (within shouting distance of this marker); Fun, Fads, and Food (within shouting distance of this marker); Built to Last (within shouting distance of this marker); Hang on for the Ride (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Whiting’s Games (about 500 feet away); Giant Dipper (about 600 feet away); ACE Roller Coaster Landmark (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Santa Cruz.

Photographed By Jeff Horan of Gustine, California, July 7, 2022

2. Surf's Up Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on July 12, 2022. It was originally submitted on July 9, 2022, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California. This page has been viewed 97 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 9, 2022, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.