Books

OB in the 60s by Noah Tafolla

Photography by Steve Rowell

The Images of America book series celebrates the history of neighborhoods, towns, and cities across the country. Using archival photographs, each title presents the distinctive stories from the past that shape the character of the community today.

This book, published by the Ocean Beach Historical Society in 2014, includes a variety of historical images of OB with great captions, as well as information about the founding and early years of Ocean Beach. 128 pages.

By Kathy Blavatt, Foreword by Eric DuVall

San Diego's Sunset Cliffs Park: A History

By Kathy Blavatt; Foreword by Karen Scanlon

More commonly known as Pacific Coast Highway, State Route 1 ribbons along or near the Pacific Ocean from Northern California at Leggett in Mendocino down to Southern California at San Juan Capistrano in Orange County. Its construction began in 1913 and was done incrementally, largely because of funding issues, shortage of labor, legal challenges, deep canyons, steep mountains, solid rock, and unstable earth. A true modern marvel, its unique and extraordinary construction allows easy access to some of the country's most famous and historical places and picturesque sights.

Beach Town: Early Days in Ocean Beach by Ruth Varney Held

196 pages

NOTE: This is the physical, printed book. See the audiobook version.

Paperback: $25

Hardback: $40

Beach Town: Early Days in Ocean Beach by Ruth Varney Held

196 pages

NOTE: This is the physical, printed book. See the audiobook version.

Hardback: $40

Beach Town: Early Days in Ocean Beach by Ruth Varney Held

196 pages

NOTE: This is the physical, printed book. See the audiobook version.

Hardback: $40

Praise for THE VARSITY from Tom Brokaw, author of The Greatest Generation:

"Lee Brown has discovered and written about an important and fascinating aspect of the Greatest Generation. Many veterans went to war by dropping out of school and enlisting under age. When they came home determined to resume their education they were older and viewed by some educators as troublesome. As Lee shows us, these vets enriched their schools, communities and it’s time they get our appreciation."

This compelling, comprehensive, and very readable history of lifeguards along the San Diego Coast follows the evolution and acceptance of the need for public safety and the development of agencies to provide that service. The book chronicles the early pre-lifeguard years where citizens provided the aquatic rescues in bay and ocean. The narrative follows the implementation of private lifeguards at bathhouses along the coast, and finally the creation of the City s lifeguard service.