More Than a Century of Making Waves: 10 Things Behind Ocean Beach’s Woman’s Club

By Debbie L. Sklar / Special to the OB Rag

(All photos courtesy of the Ocean Beach Woman’s Club)

The Ocean Beach Woman’s Club is a familiar landmark to many OB residents — a historic building at the corner of Bacon Street and Muir Avenue that has hosted meetings, fundraisers, celebrations and community gatherings for generations.

But the story of the club is about more than a century-old building. It is about the women who kept it alive through changing times, shifting generations and the challenges faced by many longtime civic organizations.

Founded in 1924, the Ocean Beach Woman’s Club recently celebrated its 100th anniversary and continues its mission of community service, friendship and philanthropy with members ranging from their 20s to their 90s. Some of the most interesting chapters in the club’s story are found in the details — the unexpected turns, personal connections and challenges that shaped the organization over the decades.

Here are 10 things behind the Ocean Beach Woman’s Club.

1. The club’s first “home” was a disappearing landmark

When the Ocean Beach Woman’s Club was founded in 1924, members did not have a permanent clubhouse. Early meetings were held in rented locations, including Ocean Beach’s Flatiron Building at Abbott Street and Newport Avenue.

The building became part of the club’s early story — and its disappearance remains one of Ocean Beach’s more unusual historical tales.

“I do think it’s interesting that the Flatiron Building washed out to sea,” said Ocean Beach Woman’s Club historian Faren Shear. “That is how it disappeared.”

The loss of the building reflects the challenges faced by a coastal community where the landscape itself has changed over time.

2. The clubhouse was once a church

The Ocean Beach Woman’s Club’s current home has a history that predates the organization. The structure was built in 1914 as the Union Congregational Church. It was originally located on the other side of Santa Monica Avenue before eventually being moved to the Ocean Beach Elementary School campus.

The building was later purchased by the Woman’s Club from the school district for $1,350.

The property where the clubhouse now stands was donated by charter member Jean Rittenhouse, an artist and early Ocean Beach real estate agent. After its final move to the corner of Bacon Street and Muir Avenue in 1944, the building became the club’s permanent home.

3. A hidden piece of the clubhouse’s past was discovered inside the walls

The clubhouse survived another challenge in 1997 when it was damaged by fire — and later restored.

During repairs, workers discovered an old annual yearbook hidden inside the walls — an unexpected time capsule that offered a glimpse into the building’s earlier years.

The discovery became a small but meaningful connection between past and present generations of club members.

4. The club helped shape everyday life at Ocean Beach

The Ocean Beach Woman’s Club’s influence can be found in some neighborhood improvements residents often take for granted. Over the decades, members worked on projects involving streetlights, sidewalks, lifeguard services and neighborhood beautification.

“The OBWC was responsible for the street lights, sidewalks, lifeguards and serving soldiers during WWII,” said longtime member Arlene Fink.

The club’s Garden Committee also contributed to neighborhood beautification through planting projects that helped enhance Ocean Beach’s streetscape.

5. Members stepped up during World War II

During World War II, the Ocean Beach Woman’s Club joined communities across the country in supporting servicemen.

Members provided hospitality and assistance during wartime, creating a tradition of service that remains one of the organization’s most memorable chapters.

6. The club nearly disappeared — but found new life

Like many longtime civic organizations, the Ocean Beach Woman’s Club faced difficult years as membership declined. Fink said the club nearly folded in the early 2000s, when membership dropped to fewer than 15 women.

Instead of disappearing, the organization found new energy. Today, Fink describes the club as a “sisterhood” with members ranging from their 20s to their 90s.

“We support our community through service and fun,” Fink said.

The club now donates more than $10,000 annually to local charities.

7. The greatest legacy may be the friendships

For many members, the club’s most important contribution cannot be measured only in community projects or fundraising totals.

It is the friendships created inside the clubhouse.

“The easy answer is our members,” Shear wrote. “I would guess that if you asked, at least 50% would say they met someone here at the club who has legitimately become one of their best friends.”

Those friendships have helped connect women across generations and backgrounds.

The club also works to make new members feel comfortable joining a long-term organization.

“We really want people to feel welcome and not overwhelmed,” Shear wrote. “We have built in systems that support newcomers as well as regular members and make it easy to find ways to connect and find the experience of the OBWC that works for you.”

8. Staying relevant has meant changing with the times

Surviving for more than a century has required adaptation to new generations.

“We are one of the oldest civic and philanthropic groups in San Diego,” Shear wrote. “I think being nimble and flexible are skills that have always benefited us, but even more so in the last 15 years or so.”

The organization has embraced newer ways of communicating, including social media, online event listings and internal communication tools.

“I basically see it as two parallel pathways — one where our history is our reputation and our guiding light, another where we are constantly trying to build a club that fits into the lives of modern women,” Shear wrote.

9. New traditions continue bringing Ocean Beach together

The Woman’s Club continues to connect with residents through events that combine community spirit and fundraising.

The annual Hat Contest in April and Battle for the Paddle in September are free community events that raise awareness and funds.

Although the club did not win this year’s wing-eating contest at the Ocean Beach Street Fair, Fink said members still celebrated a victory of their own: The OBWC donated the most money to OB Clean and Safe during the event.

The club also created its monthly “Night on the Town,” a tradition that began after COVID-19 as a way to support local restaurants.

“We choose a local OB establishment to support,” Fink said. “This is our Night on the Town, a tradition born out of post-COVID and our desire to give back and help struggling restaurants.”

10. The mission continues beyond the clubhouse

The Ocean Beach Woman’s Club has survived because it has remained more than a historical organization.

It is a place where longtime residents and newcomers can meet, volunteer and create connections.

Together, generations of members continue the organization’s motto:

“Making Waves since 1924.”

While Ocean Beach is known for its beaches, businesses and independent spirit, its history has also been shaped by people who quietly worked behind the scenes.

For more than a century, the Ocean Beach Woman’s Club has been part of that story — preserving a piece of the neighborhood’s past while continuing to help shape its future.

Sources

Ocean Beach Woman’s Club — History
City of San Diego — Ocean Beach Community Plan, Historic Resources Section
Ocean Beach Historical Society archives
Members