Top 10 Surf Shops in the U.S.A.
Unique to surfing (and other board sports), the lifestyle out of the water is dominated by surfing centric entities. In the same way that brands have built names for themselves as staples of the industry so have the stores selling the products. Surf shops all across the world are a place to meet like-minded people, catch up on the local wave report, or pick up whatever you need to hit the surf. Using our new Adrenalist Foursquare, we’re showing you EXACTLY where to find these beach gems.
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1. PACIFIC WAVE SURF SHOP, SANTA CRUZ, CA
Just moments from the famous Half Moon Bay, Pacific Wave Surf Shop is a family owned and operated store located downtown in the historic surfing mecca of Santa Cruz. Although Santa Cruz may be teaming with amazing surf shops this one in particular made our list because it truly embodies the Nor-Cal spirit by carrying more locally made surfing products than any other store in the world.
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2. RON JON SURF SHOP, COCOA BEACH, FL
Odds are that at some point throughout your lifetime you have seen the Ron Jon logo on a t-shirt, billboard, surfboard or something of the like. The franchise was founded in 1959 in Ship Bottom, New Jersey by Ron Dimenna, however, this location has long been overshadowed by its behemoth cousin to the south in Cocoa Beach that lays claim to being the largest surf shop in the world. Although purists may claim the brand has become diluted as a function of their success, its hard to argue that there is any surf shop more iconic than Ron Jon in the world.
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3. HANSEN’S SURF SHOP, ENCINITAS, CA
Originally founded on Hawaii’s legendary North Shore in Oahu, Don Hansen Surfboards first opened its doors in 1961. Thanks in part to location and timing, by the mid 1960s Hansen was shipping so many surfboards the next logical step was to expand, and expand he did to Encinitas, CA where he opened what is still today the largest surf shop in San Diego County. Boasting over 6,000 pairs of sandals year round in their 16,000sq ft retail location, this shop is truly treasured by surfers all throughout So-Cal.
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4. THE FROG HOUSE, NEWPORT BEACH, CA
Located right off of the famed Pacific Coast Highway at the northern-end of Newport Beach, CA, The Frog House has been operating continuously at this location since 1963. Known by locals as a ‘real surf shop,’ the Frog House boasts that inside you will find “real surfers selling real surf products in a way you wont find at many other surf shops the world over.” Basically this is the kind of place you wish every surf shop in the world was like, but they’re not, and that’s what makes this place so very special.
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5. MALIBU SURF SHACK, MALIBU, CA
With close proximity to what many revere as the best wave in all of California, Malibu Surf Shack has been the premiere local retailer in Malibu since 1972. What sets this shop apart from others is that it overlooks Malibu’s world renowned Surfrider Beach. So shoppers are able to take in a view of the break while browsing the shop.
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6. FARIAS SURF & SPORT, SHIP BOTTOM, NJ
Located in Long Beach Island on the famed Jersey Shore, Farias has been providing locals with the gear they need for over 35 years. In recent years with the bad reputation the Jersey Shore has taken due to pop-culture abominations, Farias has remained a staple in the surfing community for those who seeking the best quality product at prices atypical of the often price-inflated northeast.
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7. LONG BEACH SURF, LONG BEACH, NY
This may not be the Long Beach you were thinking of, however in recent years this surfing haven has been thrust back into the national spotlight as it now claims host to the Quicksilver Pro New York held each September, and at the forefront of this is Long Beach Surf. Providing locals and day trippers from the city alike with everything they need to get in the water from boards to wetsuits. This place is the surfing cultural hub of the Long Beach community.
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8. MAVERICKS SURF SHOP, HALF MOON BAY, CA
Founded by Mavericks pioneer Jeff Clark in 1995, this shop is located in downtown Half Moon Bay with views of both Mavericks and Pillar Point Harbor. For those in the know, Mavericks is a cultural mecca for big wave surfers all across the world renowned for being one of the largest and most powerful waves in the world, and this shop embodies everything about that. They carry products focused on the majesty of Mavericks and big wave surfing as well as offering their own line of Mavericks branded products ideally suited for riding giants.
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9. MAUI SURFBOARDS, MAUI, HI
First opening its doors in 1966 Maui Surfboards is arguably the oldest operational surf shop in Hawaii and undoubtedly decades older than any of its Maui compatriots. At the heart of their mantra, Maui Surfboards puts no advertising on their boards, something very atypical in the surfboard shaping industry. However, they do so because over the years nearly every surfer in the hall of fame has ridden one of their designs, and they are the undisputed authority on hand-made surfboards (non-machine shaped boards). If you are looking for authenticity and quality in your next purchase this is the one place you should go.
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10. THE HISTORIC SURF AND SEA, OAHU, HI
Built in 1921 and continuously operating since 1965, Surf & Sea lays claim to being Hawaii’s oldest ‘Surf and Dive’ shop. Located on Hawaii’s renowned ‘7 mile beach’ which is home to 7 miles of the greatest surfing breaks found anywhere in the known world, Surf and Sea equips locals and tourists alike with anything they need to try their hand at riding the giants of Hawaii’s famed North Shore from Waimea to Sunset Beach.
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