This is such a nice tribute to the Beach Boys, just north of the Hawthorne Airport and Tesla Aerospace. It's located among relatively newer homes. The band of brothers and relatives/friends was nicely made and seems to be forever made for fans and the public to pay homage to the songs and music of the sixties and beyond. There are signs in beige leading to the monument, so that there is no way to get lost. I hope more people have an opportunity to see this tribute to a local iconic band of American history. read more

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Tucked away in a neighborhood where planes will be flying overhead. This is a nice landmark/tribute to the band. Worth a visit if you're nearby. read more

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Sure it's a small plaque there's garbage everywhere and graffiti beer cans. Looks like nobody around there knows who The Beach Boys are nobody there specks English the loud music from Mexicans is a disgrace just saying don't go here until Hawthorns cleans it up read more

I grew up in Hawthorne and never knew this existed until I saw it on Pinterest...then it took me another 5 or 6 years to visit. Thought there would be more...at least an old house...but it's just a monument against an embankment to a freeway. But, it is The Beach Boys, my home town band so couldn't do less than 4 stars!!! read more

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It makes perfect sense for lifelong Beach Boys fans like myself to visit this monument. This was dedicated in 2005 at the site of the Wilson brothers' home where they grew up. A lot of magic as well as some troubled times happened at that spot, but it was great that the State of California helped place something there. (It is misleading, however, on the title where it reads "Childhood Home of the Beach Boys") The house where original member David Marks grew up is across the street. The monument highlights all the original Beach Boy members, as well as the sponsors of the brick structure. It would've been cool to see something with Blondie Chaplin, John Stamos and especially Bruce Johnston (who have done some great moments with the group), but it is still great to visit. It's a great selfie stop but not much else. In case you're wondering, the home was torn down to make way for Interstate 105 (or "the 105" as Californians say). While in Hawthorne, be sure to visit a few other notable Beach Boys-related sites: Hawthorne High School, the Pizza Show restaurant (where Brian would go on Friday nights), the Fosters Freeze where they hung out at (it is unfortunately permanently closed) and O'Reilly Auto Parts (used to be A&W where they first heard their songs on the radio). read more

Sure, they sang about girls and surfing but the Wilson brothers Brian, Dennis and Carl (including Mike Love and Alan Jardine) literally invented California, harmonizing over Woodies, hot rods and fun, fun, fun T-Birds driven by atomic blondes. So, it literally comes as no surprise, ironic or otherwise, that their childhood home in Hawthorne, California was razed to make room for a freeway. In it's place is a peculiar red brick memorial that celebrates the legacy of the Beach Boys in mortar and cement. Simple and unpolished, my first impression is that it looks more like a hastily constructed brick barbeque pit than a timeless homage to Mt. Rushmore greatness etched in granite. As you would expect, the Boys are holding surfboards (BTW, none of them surfed besides Dennis) with a few depictions of their innumerable gold records and some very vague notes covering their origin and history, the entire monolith is as bare bones and stripped down as their three chord symphonies and impeccable harmonies. You won't spend a ton of time here but with the sound of the freeway in the background there's no more fitting tribute to a band that created a State and an endless summer state of mind. California might be very different place had it been known as the home of the Polka or the cradle of the Accordion. Five stars for not ever having to contemplate that nightmare. read more

"Wouldn't It Be Nice" "Help Me, Rhonda" "Little Surfer Girl" "I Get Around" "California Girls" "Good Vibrations" ...and many other well-known songs with great harmonies and melodies... This is the work of: The Beach Boys ... They are such a famous and well-liked musical group... consisting of the Wilson brothers, a cousin, and a friend. This simple monument - with six golden discs with each of their names - acknowledges the talent and accomplishments of these young men. This marks the site of their family home in Hawthorne, California, which no longer exists because of the freeway. It's made out of bricks which are inscribed with names of donors who probably contributed to the construction of this very cool landmark! Go visit and take a quick look! We used GPS, found it easily, and parked on the side of the road. The music of The Beach Boys lives on and brings back fond memories... this little monument is a small tribute to their great genius! And...since you're in the area, stop by the Fosters Freeze on Hawthorne. The Beach Boys used to hang out there! Check out the memorabilia... photos, newspaper articles, etc.! read more

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In a nutshell, this landmark is a small homage to the legacy left behind by The Beach Boys! I guess I never realized that this was so close to the homes I've lived in throughout the years! My husband has told me, but it never occurred to me that I probably drove right by here many times! This little structure is located is where the house the 3 Wilson brothers grew up in. Space was needed for the new (at the time) 105 Freeway. This Wilsons' home was demolished sometime in the 1980's. David Marks, who lived across the street and was in the band, lost his house as well. You will notice that the freeway is indeed right there, if you look up. Karen and Richard Carpenter's childhood home in Downey, CA was demolished for the same freeway. In 2005, The Beach Boys Historic Landmark was dedicated and then became California Historic Landmark No. 1041. Dennis Wilson's adopted son, Scott Wilson, was in charge of the construction. It is located in Hawthorne, CA. They did a nice job on the creation of this simple structure. It consists of a lot of bricks with names from donors etched on each of them. I especially like the sculpture of the 6 Band Members holding the surfboard. There is also a gold 45 record with each of their names on them. Their songs are about California, Girls, Cars, Surfing, Beach and Sun! *Surfin' U.S.A *California Girls *Kokomo *Surfin' Safari *Little Deuce Coupe If you head to 120th & Hawthorne, you will see Foster's Freeze. This is a small fast food restaurant stand where The Beach Boys would often hang out at. It only has patio dining. Go check it out after seeing this landmark! read more

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A MUST DO! A FREE EVENT EVENT & FREE PARKING! The Beach Boys Historic Landmark is one of America's Secret Hidden Gems. It is completely off the beaten path & hidden in the city of Hawthorne a suburb of LA. This is the former home of one of the most Legendary & Influential Groups of all times The Beach Boys. This is where the guys grew up - their childhood home. Unfortunately in the 1980's the house was demolished to make room for the freeway that lies directly behind the monument. It's too bad they couldn't have saved the home & moved it elsewhere. This would have been a great local & tourist attraction. Well you can't undo the past & something that happened some forty rears ago. In the 2000's Los Angeles realized their error & decided that The Beach Boys deserved recognition for changing the sound of music in the 60s & many decades after. Unbelievably they are still touring today. Dick Clark the host of the immensely popular teenage Dance Show American Bandstand whose show The Beach Boys appeared on numerous times was instrumental in facilitating the reality of this project. The area was declared a California Registered Historical Landmark site in 2005. The images on the landmark were inspired from their Surfer Girl Album cover. The album cover has 5 Beach Boys the Monument has 6 Beach Boys all carrying a Surfboard. Below the monument is a Bronze Plaque with inscriptions. The monument is located in a residential area with homes on the opposite side of the street & surrounded by many modest track homes in the neighborhood. So don't be partying here! LOL! The Beach Boys Monument runs parallel to the 105 Freeway. There are signs on both sides of 120th street - the main drag near the Hawthorne airport to point you to the correct location. The monument is a large brick structure with various people's names, organizations & businesses who were donors to get the project completed. Their names are etched on the bricks. There are also famous verses from their various songs on the bricks as well. There are also gold records with the Band's name on them. Brian, Carl, Dennis, their cousin Mike Love, & neighbor David Marks & Al Jardine. Be sure to check the entire place out. The Beach Boys were very successful because of their great harmonies & their catchy Beach sounds & songs. They also had a friendly rivalry & mutual admiration & friendship with The Beatles. When Brian Wilson heard The Beatles Album Rubber Soul he was inspired to create one of the most epic albums of all time Pet Sounds. When Paul McCartney heard Pet Sounds it propelled him & The Beatles to make an epic album of their own the legendary Sergeant Pepper Album. One of the most inspirational stories about The Beach Boys is that Brian Wilson composed a song for his high school music Class. He received an F for that composition. Later on that tune turned into their first hit song Surfin' in 1961 & the rest is history. They must have laughed all the way to the Bank with that F. Also knowing that their Music helped so many people get through troubled times with their songs. In 2018 when Brian Wilson was 75 years old principal Dr. Vanessa Landesfeind saw the error of the school's ways. She had the grade overturned & changed from an F to an A. What a Great Uplifting Story! The Beach Boys have a Huge Catalog of Legendary Songs like God Only Knows, Good Vibrations, California Girls, Don't Worry Baby, I Get Around, Surfin' Safari, Surfer Girl, Surfin USA, Dance Dance Dance, Darlin', Fun Fun Fun, Help Me Rhonda, Barbara Ann, Kokomo, 409, Little Deuce Coupe, Little Honda, Be True to Your School & countless other songs. The Beach Boys have a Huge Body of work. So after you're done looking at the monument head on over to one of SOCAL's many beautiful beaches & crank up some Classic Beach Boys Tunes for a perfect Beach Boys Day. It used to be, you had to have Mega Bucks & be really Rich to have the Good Life, not anymore. The Game has changed. You've been Upgraded. Now You Can Live Like a King on a Limited Budget! read more

After reading Aunty Nadine C's review, I made sure that I had the time to check this landmark out. Located in Hawthorne just off of the I-105 Interstate, this monument is rather discretely located in a cul-de-sac. The monument is all that's there to see, but you can imagine how it was like for the Beach Boys to grow up in that neighborhood, get their break, and become an international music phenomenon. If you're a fan of their music, treat yourself to this short visit through to their memory lane! read more

Beach Boys Landmark - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Hawthorne, California

Cue up your favorite Beach Boys songs and come pay homage to musical genius. Awesome tribute to So Cal originals! For those of you who grew up with the Beach Boys, you know how incredible their music is. For those who did not, run and see Love & Mercy as soon as possible. Good vibrations to you all. read more

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Love the Beach Boys all my life. This was a super nice Landmark. Easy to find. Quick stop to take a few pics. Music history! read more

Beach Boys Landmark - Beach Boys Landmarks - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Hawthorne, California

Not really too much to see here but it is kind of neat to visit the neighborhood that the Wilson boys grew up in. Quiet street not very far from LAX. Make it a stop on the way in or out of town.. read more

Beach Boys Landmark - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Hawthorne, California

Let's go surfin' now Everybody's learning how Come on a safari with me The Beach Boys Monument in Hawthorne, California, commemorates the site of the childhood home of brothers Brian, Carl, and Dennis Wilson, who formed the band "The Beach Boys" with their cousin Mike Love and their friend Al Jardine. The monument marks the former location of the Wilsons' house, which was razed in the mid-1980s during construction of the I-105 freeway. On the monument is an image face, inspired by the album cover of "Surfer Girl", depicting the three Wilson brothers plus Mike Love, Al Jardine, and David Marks, all holding one long surfboard. If you call yourself a fan of "The Beach Boys" or just love listening to their songs, this small monument is worth a quick stop. To reach the monument, exit I-105 at Crenshaw (Exit 5). If heading west, turn left at the end of the off-ramp, then turn right to head west on 120th Street (just after crossing under the freeway). If heading east, the exit leads to 120th Street so turn right at the end of the off-ramp to head west. After a short distance, turn right onto Kornblum Avenue; a sign will tell you where to turn for the monument. The Beach Boys Monument is visible to your left from where Kornblum Avenue has a T-intersection with 119th Street. read more

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Uhm. So random? I guess it gets points for being a well constructed and attractive. . . wall? Edifice aside, I feel bad for the neighbors, who undoubtedly tolerate way too much "tourism" in this quiet neighborhood. read more

Beach Boys Landmark - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Hawthorne, California

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We drove over to Hawthorne to visit the Beach Boys Monument before boarding a cruise ship. It's located close to where the house where they grew up. The house was demolished to make room for the freeway. It has a relief of the "famous" picture of them holding the surfboard. Their songs are listed along with the original Beach Boy names. Allow approximately 10-15 minutes for the visit, pictures, reading. Glad I finally made it !! read more