How To See The Beach Boys Monument in Hawthorne

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Even if you’re not a fan of the group, chances are good that you’ve at least heard of the Beach Boys. The Rock and Roll Hall of Famers are musical legends throughout the world, but Southern California was their home and where they got their start.

Brothers Brian, Dennis, and Carl Wilson, along with cousin Mike Love and good friend Al Jardine (David Marks would briefly replace Jardine), formed the infamous quintet in 1961 in the then modest community of Hawthorne, a figurative stones throw from the beach.

As heard in their music, the surf-sand vibes of late 1950’s, early 1960’s Southern California had a profound effect on the teens. Surf culture, endless summers and sunny beaches became the foundation of their identity and the heart of their sound.

In 2005, the city in which the Beach Boys called home honored them with a monument placed in the spot of the former Wilson home where the boys honed their legendary sound and recorded their debut hit, Surfin’, which ultimately led to them signing with Capitol Records shortly thereafter.

Whether you’re a die-hard fan or you simply appreciate being in the presence of historical sites, checking out the historic Beach Boys Monument is a must! Let’s get into the details.

Beach Boys Monument Location

As stated above, the Beach Boys Monument is located in the city of Hawthorne, which in of itself is located in the South Bay area of Los Angeles, bordered by neighboring cities such as Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach and El Segundo.

It’s on the corner of Kornblum Avenue and 119th Street, just off West 120th Street and nearby the Hawthorne Municipal Airport. For GPS purposes, the monument’s exact address is as follows:

• 3701 West 119th Street, Hawthorne, California

The Beach Boys Monument is situated right along the sidewalk in a quiet neighborhood. There is ample street parking, though the area directly in front of the monument is a red curb. Please be respectful when parking around the resident’s homes.

Behind the monument runs the Century Freeway (more on this later). Sometime prior to my visit in 2025, pretty much all of the trees and shrubby that once framed the monument had been cut down and cleared. Additionally, the freeway’s sound-wall was removed. Hopefully they plan to re-plant as it looked rather bare.

About the Beach Boys Monument

The monument was constructed at the site where the Wilson family home once stood. In the 1980’s, the home was demolished to make way for the Century Freeway (Interstate 105). It is believed that the actual plot their home sat on is now directly underneath the freeway.

Several notables, such as Dick Clark and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, were among those who supported bringing the monument to life and its registry as a California State Historic Landmark (which it would ultimately obtain).

It was the brainchild of construction engineer and Beach Boys mega-fan Harry Jarnagan, paid for by public donations and contributions by the extended Beach Boys family and was constructed by Scott Wilson, the adoptive son of band member Dennis Wilson (who tragically passed away in 1983).

The white marble slab centered on the landmark was inspired by the cover art of the band’s 1963 album, Surfer Girl. While the band was always a quintet (five-some), the slab pays tribute to all six members, each of which heavily contributed to the band’s success.

The original line up consisted of brothers Brian, Dennis, and Carl Wilson, along with their cousin Mike Love and friend Al Jardine. Jardine was briefly replaced by David Marks while Jardine attended dental school. Jardine would re-join the band roughly one year later.

On the lower portion of the monument, but still center, is a dedication plaque listing it as California Historical Landmark No. 1041, along with a script detailing the site’s history. The plaque reads:

• “It was here in the home of parents Murry and Audree that Brian, Dennis, and Carl Wilson grew to manhood and developed their musical skills. During Labor Day weekend in 1961, they, with cousin Mike Love and friend Al Jardine, gathered here to record a tape of their breakthrough song, “Surfin”. This marked the birth of the rock group known worldwide as the Beach Boys, and the beginning of an historic musical legacy that would change the recording industry. The music of the Wilsons, Love, Jardine, and friend David Marks broadcast to the world an image of California as a place of sun, surf, and romance. Brian Wilson would become a legendary producer, arranger, and songwriter”.

In addition to the plaque and decorative marble slab, six gold 45 records embed the base of the monument, each with the name of one of the Beach Boys inscribed within. Names of donors and various friends and family of the Wilsons are engraved into the landmark’s bricks as well.

Significance of the Wilson Family Home

The site of the Wilson family home is significant due to its role in music history. It is where the band formed over Labor Day weekend in 1961 and is where their debut hit, Surfin’, was first written and recorded.

That record would ultimately lead the Beach Boys signing their first deal with Capitol Records, which in turn resulted in the recording of their freshman album, Surfin’ Safari, in 1962. The rest, as they say, is history.

The house across the street from the monument was thought by many to be the former home of David Marks, a childhood friend of the Wilsons who briefly joined the band when Al Jardine left the group.

However, during the dedication ceremony for the monument, David Marks, who was in attendance, noted how different the area looked as the construction of the freeway necessitated the street they lived on to be moved around.

According to an article by SF Gate, Marks was confused as to where his house actually was back then. If that was indeed the house, he undoubtedly would’ve recognized it. Additionally, that home simply doesn’t look like it was built in the 1950’s, but I digress.

With Dennis passing away in 1983 and Carl following in 1998, Brian was the sole Wilson band member present for the monument’s dedication in 2005. Other band members, Al Jardine and David Marks, were also present. Mike Love, cousin of Brian, did not attend.

Unfortunately, less than a month after my wife and I’s visit to the monument in 2025, Brian Wilson, the final surviving brother of the Beach Boys, tragically passed away. Of the original line up, only Jardine and Love remain.

If you happen to be in the area, I highly recommend stopping by and checking out the Beach Boys Monument in Hawthorne. It’s a piece of Southern California and musical history, not to be missed by die hard fans and casuals alike.

If you’re in need of a hotel nearby, check out my review of Lum Hotel Los Angeles. Also, the neighborhood that served as the set for the cult classic film, Friday, isn’t too far away from the monument. Learn how you can explore it for yourself here!