Santa Cruz Woodies A Chapter of the National Woodie Club
The weekend of October 4-6, 2024, brought the thirtieth annual Woodies at the Rock, held in Morro Bay, California, naturally enough in close proximity to Morro Rock, a California Central Coast landmark. The event traditionally brings together woodies’ owners from the northern part of California and those from Southern California. The central coast itself fits neither the caricature of the palm-tree laden beach towns and large cities of the south nor the hilly, densely populated San Francisco Bay area. It is instead an area of smaller towns with wide expanses of open space, areas of spectacular scenery like Big Sur, cold water surfing, and, of course, woodies of every hue and description. The area has served for years as a playground/hideaway for the ultra-wealthy (such as Hearst, Disney, et al) as well as for growers from the Central Valley seeking a respite from the summer heat in that area. Most natives and, for that matter, transplants find a lot to like.
In comparison to the other West Coast shows this one, with a notable exception discussed later, involves much easier organization, no raffles, no auctions and no sales booths, a relief for all of us from clubs in the Golden State. It also takes place in the early fall which for most dedicated Californians from every part is the best time of the year. This year was no exception. The area features quite a bit of fog but it burns off, sometimes early, sometimes late. This year was especially hot inland as the Santa Cruz ohana reported following their cruise into Cambria. It was hot to the south, too, but most from that area can stay on the coast for the entire trip, availing themselves of cooling ocean breezes.
There were no reported organized caravans from the South. Wagon Master Joe Cosgrave for the northern contingent had car trouble – he and wife Janice arrived a little late for the Friday festivities in a modern vehicle. The others managed to gather with their pals from the southern clubs, principally Santa Barbara, for snacks and beverages at the Bluebird Inn, the traditional gathering spot. While feasting and awaiting dinner Kathryn Benson, co-founder of the event with her late husband George, brought commemorative T-Shirts for one and all. The artistic designs were by granddaughter Katie Benson.
Thank you, Kathryn, for your generosity. Since this is a “casual” show there was no need for zero dark thirty “power parking” at the marvelous host, Wavelengths Surf Shop in Morro Bay on Saturday. That shop is gracious enough to sacrifice its parking lot, on a weekend no less, for our use for the display, on this day, of about forty woodies. It is a low-key day for tire kicking, admiring craftsmanship, renewing state-wide friendships and just plain fun. The laid back town of Morro Bay offers splendid restaurants, diners, shopping areas, fishing, surfing and lots of fun. All of us partook. There were even more free T-shirts in the shop that day.
As if all that wasn’t enough, the Benson family hosted the usual Woodies on the Rock dinner at their home in Cambria. It is in the hills and is adorned with surf, woodie and beach memorabilia from a lifetime of good vibes from all of them, from George and Kathryn on down to their granddaughters. Noteworthy assistants included, prominently besides the Bensons, Rowland and Dorma Baker, aka Santa Cruz Woodie royalty. [Your scribe apologizes here for those helpers he has failed to mention – there were more to be sure.] Included in the festivities was a cake honoring the occasion of the thirtieth annual show. Happy faces and warm chatter prevailed. A bonus this year, on departure, on a moonless, very dark night, was the absence of fog. Everyone made it back to their hotels without getting lost – not an easy task sometimes. Many gathered at the firepit at the Bluebird for more camaraderie, but, your humble scribe must confess he needed to turn in early and so has little to report. There was, however, a cacophony of cheerful voices lulling him to sleep after he turned in.
All comers are welcome to this event. It traditionally takes place on the first Saturday in October. Mark your 2025 calendars now and watch this publication for details.