Stylized text logo reading "Tiki Oasis" in light blue and orange letters on a black background.

Tiki Oasis 2025

August 12, 2025/Jan Wagner/
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Tiki Oasis celebrated its 25th year on August 6 -10.

A large crowd in tropical attire gathers around a hotel pool for the Tiki Oasis event, with palm trees and tall buildings in the background.

Presented by Otto and Baby Doe…

A man in a patterned shirt and hat stands next to a woman in a bright floral dress and shell necklace, both smiling at the camera.

…Tiki Oasis is billed as “the nation’s premier island-themed weekender and musical event.” Over five nights and four days, the non-stop tropical-themed fun includes live music…

A band performs on stage at the Tiki Oasis event, with colorful decorations, instruments, and an audience watching.
A musician in a red shirt and hat plays wooden log drums on a crate labeled "APE S.F." on a colorful stage, with a drummer visible in the background.
A band performs on stage at Tiki Oasis, with colorful tropical decorations and an audience watching at night.
A group of people sits and reclines on lawn chairs and blankets under striped umbrellas at an outdoor nighttime event, with buildings and palm trees in the background.
Two men stand on stage at a Tiki Oasis event; one man uses a mallet on a tiki statue atop a wooden crate labeled "APE S.F." Drums and a large Tiki Oasis sign are in the background.

…DJs…

A man wearing sunglasses and a Hawaiian shirt operates DJ equipment at an outdoor event under a tent with colorful decorations.

…colorful caftans…

A large group of people in clothing.
A group of women in colorful dresses.

…tropical cocktails with tastings…

A smiling woman wearing flower hair clips holds a drink with a skull-and-crossbones stir stick at a festive indoor event.

…food, Tiki-themed hospitality suites…

Two musicians perform outdoors at night; one plays guitar and sings, while the other plays bongos. Tropical decorations and lights surround them.

…cool cars…

A vintage two-tone green and white Ford Fairlane Skyliner convertible with its retractable hardtop roof partially open, parked on a sunny street near tropical plants.

…the Tiki Oasis Marketplace…

A woman in a yellow hat stands at a Tiki Oasis Marketplace booth, staffed by three people and displaying various products under a large sign.
Colorful Tiki-themed banners with retro-style illustrations, including a couple dancing, a tiki mask, and the words "Tiki Oasis" and "Trip to the Tropics.
A carved wooden tiki mug with white tribal designs sits atop a circular base adorned with feathers and green leaves.
Colorful display featuring surfboards with sea turtle designs, toucan and parrot decorations, tiki masks, and other tropical-themed items at a market stall.
Colorful tiki mask art and an "ALOHA" sign are displayed on a white textured background.
A carved tiki mug with a wide grin holds a metallic emblem reading "Tiki Oasis," standing on a round decorative base.
A tan ceramic mug with “Tiki Oasis Town and Country San Diego 2023” and a cityscape illustration at the base.
A colorful painting of a stylized sun, tropical huts, and fish is displayed on a bamboo mat, with a sign for Ken Ruzic original paintings hanging nearby.
Two smiling men pose indoors; one holds a Tiki-themed artwork, and the other wears a utility vest. A colorful celebratory poster is visible in the background.
Jan could not resist buying this limited edition (of 100) “Raratonga” Tiki Tapestry — designed by Shag (Josh Agle), woven in the USA and just released at Tiki Oasis 2025 (“It speaks to me!”).

…original Art and Lamp Shows…

A wooden sign reads "Tiki Lamp Art Show" in bold yellow and orange letters, with a small blue fish decoration hanging on the right side.
A model bamboo house with illuminated windows sits on a decorative base next to a lit, patterned lamp.
A wooden tiki-style lamp with a carved angry face is illuminated from within by orange-yellow light.

…entertaining and educational seminars…

A man speaks on stage at the Tiki Oasis 25th anniversary event, with an audience in Hawaiian shirts and event-themed decorations visible.
A woman speaks to an audience in a room decorated with "Supernatural Seas Tiki Oasis 2025" and Tiki-themed banners. A projector and screen are displayed at the front.

…Tiki-themed craft classes…

A person uses a pink hot glue gun to attach material to a small woven basket next to a Tiki-themed lamp on a table.
People sit at tables in a conference room, assembling items and wearing tropical or Hawaiian-themed clothing. Various craft materials are scattered on the tables.
Two people sit at a table working on a craft project. One person holds a red, lit ornament; instructions, string, tools, and a glass jar are on the table.
A person weaves a small figure out of twine at a table, holding several strands and using a green tool. Instructions and a red water bottle are visible nearby.
A person holds a glowing red glass fishing float wrapped in netting with both hands.
A group of adults, many wearing colorful floral clothing, participate in a hands-on activity at tables in a classroom setting.
A glass jar labeled "PLYT OASIS" with a bamboo straw and a glowing green lantern decoration beside it sits on a table with plastic and paper items.
A glass filled with assorted colorful cocktail stirrers, decorative picks, a faux lime slice, and a small paper umbrella on a woven surface.
A decorative model sailing ship with small flags and flowers is arranged in a blue patterned vase on a wicker surface.

…dancing…

A man and a woman in tropical outfits dance on stage, with cameras and an audience in the foreground.

…costume contests…

A young girl receives a trophy from a man in a grass skirt on stage, surrounded by three adults in colorful Hawaiian attire.

…photo fashion shoots and so much more!

Tiki Oasis began in 2001 at the Caliente Tropics Hotel in Palm Springs, California. It outgrew that location and moved to the Hanalei Hotel (which became the Crowne Plaza) in San Diego’s Mission Valley area. It moved again to Vacation Village (Paradise Point) on Mission Bay, the Bali Hai Restaurant on Shelter Island and, most recently, the Town & Country Resort in Mission Valley.

A vintage green car is parked in front of the Town and Country Resort, with a "Tiki Oasis" sign and palm trees visible in the foreground.

In honor of Tiki Oasis’ 25th Anniversary, this year’s theme was a celebration of themes from past years. This was reflected in its seminars, and with bands and DJs that have played at Tiki Oasis before.

A band dressed in colorful outfits performs on an outdoor stage with a "Tiki Oasis" sign while an audience watches.

An opening night (Wednesday) party was held at the Catamaran Resort & Spa — a Pacific Island-themed hotel on Mission Bay, and “home to the area’s longest-running annual summer luau;” while over at the Town & Country Resort was a preview viewing of the annual Tiki Oasis Art and Lamp Shows. The original, one-of-a-kind works of art would be available for sale starting at 10 AM Thursday morning.

A detailed model of a wooden sailing ship with illuminated sections and intricate rigging, displayed indoors.

The seminars and other activities all took place at the Town & Country Resort, from Thursday through Sunday. Presentations included “Tiki Chic: Fashions for the Sophisticated” with Dave Temple, “Polynesian San Diego: Mid-Century Modern Locations” with Martin Lindsay, “Donn Beach’s Buttery Pearly Diver: Mystery Solved!” with Shelley Bowers, “It’s Tiki Time!” with Robert and Asia Estigoy, “The Book of Tiki Turns 25” with Sven Kirsten, “Edithe Beutler: Artist, Entrepreneur and Mother” with CJ Cook, “The Adventurous World of Disney Parks” with Kevin Lively, “Mission Possible: Spy Au Go Go” with The Devil-Ettes, “Sugar and Spice To Make Your Cocktail Nice” with Kyle Rioux, “Vintage Polynesia En México” with Mr. La Cultura Tiki, “Dances from the Big Band Era” with Steve Conrad, “Sustainable Tropical Cocktails” with Tiki Lindy, “Ray Buhen of Tiki-Ti: A Tiki Icon” with Adrian Eustaquio, “25 Year Rums: Tastings and Tales” with Bryan Inman — The Rum Champion, “The Ultimate Vintage Hairstyle: Waves & Victory Rolls” with Miss Holly Dawn, “Slip: The Secret Sauce of Tiki Mugs” with VanTiki, “25 Years of Tiki Oasis” with Baby Doe & Otto and Friends, “Surf’s Up! A Wild History of 60s Beach Party Movies” with Bo Bennett, “Sneak Peek into the Historic Mai-Kai’s Secret Bar,” “Intoxicating Illumination” with Tiki Doug, “Jamaica’s Influence on Tropical Cocktails” with Ian Burrell, “Bowlarama: The Architecture of Mid-Century Bowling” with Chris Nichols, “The Evolution of Ska to Rocksteady” with Junor Francis, “Tales of the San Diegan Bartender from Far and Wide (panel discussion) and “Googieland” with the incredible Charles Phoenix.

A person in a striped suit speaks on stage next to a projected image of a large donut-shaped structure labeled “Charles Phoenix GoogieLand” with a car driving through it.
Two people in colorful shirts hold up copies of the book "Willis Wonderland" at a signing event. Other attendees are visible in the background.

Participatory activities included a “Welcome Singalong” with King Kukulele, “Caftans & Coffee: Breakfast with the Aloha Caftan Society,” “Aloha Caftan Society Presents…The Tiki Oasis Caftan Stroll”…

A large crowd in tropical attire gathers around a hotel pool for the Tiki Oasis event, with palm trees and tall buildings in the background.

…“Beauty BouTiki & Barbershop,” “Tiki Oasis Photo Studio,” “Hulabilly Country Two-Step” with Steve Conrad, “Tiki Oasis Book Club Presents ‘Sharks in the Time of Saviors’ by Kawai Strong Washburn” — hosted by Karen Finlay, “Tiki Oasis Swizzle Swap featuring Coasters, Postcards and Matchbooks,” the “11th Annual Cabana Suit Strut”…“

A large group of people in colorful Hawaiian shirts raises their arms at an outdoor event, with palm trees and apartment buildings in the background.

…Lamp Building from Layout To Illuminate” with Patrick Thompson…

People sit at tables in a conference room, assembling items and wearing tropical or Hawaiian-themed clothing. Various craft materials are scattered on the tables.
A person uses a pink hot glue gun to attach material to a small woven basket next to a Tiki-themed lamp on a table.

…“Brooches and Brims” with Kristen James & Jennifer Watson, ”Posing for Photos… Underwater!” with MeduSirena, and the 11th Annual Tiki Oasis San Diego Bartender Battle.”

A display of cocktail ingredients, tiki mugs, rum bottles, and branded cups on a black tablecloth at a bartender event.
Five panelists sit at a table with Tiki Oasis signs, rum bottles, and plants in front of them. Name cards identify each person. A banner behind them reads “Tiki Oasis Celebrating 25 Years!”.
A woman in a blue shirt hands out drinks to seated attendees at a Tiki Oasis event, with a panel of speakers at a table in the background.
A woman in a green dress operates a blender filled with liquid while holding a towel on the lid, with bottles of liquor placed on the counter beside her.
A woman in a green top smiles and holds two green drinks garnished with flowers and mint, each with a straw.
A close-up of several plastic cups filled with a light-colored beverage and garnished with fresh mint leaves, held by people in patterned clothing.
A man in a patterned shirt peels a grapefruit at a bar counter while a crowd, including a photographer, watches in the background. Various bottles and bartending tools are on the counter.
A large group of people in colorful attire sit and raise hands in a conference room, facing speakers at the front. Tables hold papers, drinks, and decorations.
A green blended drink garnished with mint, a flower, and a blackberry in a ribbed glass with a metal straw, beside a smaller glass of amber liquid on a black table.
A person in a patterned shirt gestures with their hands while seated at a table among other attendees at an indoor event.
Two bartenders, each holding and shaking cocktail shakers, stand behind a bar with liquor bottles visible, focused on making drinks.
A server hands out drinks to attendees seated at long tables during a tropical-themed event in a conference room.
A man in a patterned shirt presents a tray of tropical cocktails garnished with sliders to a woman at a beverage demonstration table.
A man in a floral shirt speaks into a microphone to a large seated audience, many of whom are dressed in colorful, tropical-themed clothing.
Five adults sit closely together at a table with drinks, posing in front of a colorful Oasis-themed backdrop featuring a cartoon character.
A woman in a green top pours a yellow liquid from a pitcher into a metal tumbler behind a counter with bottles and glasses.
A bartender wearing a patterned shirt prepares drinks at a bar, while a seated audience watches in the background.
A woman in a green top pours a dark liquid from a bottle into cups filled with ice at a counter, with two hand sanitizer dispensers beside her.
A bartender with curly hair and glasses pours frothy drinks into tall glasses on a bar counter.
Five people, some wearing tropical-themed shirts, sit and talk at a table with drinks and a sign reading "Brooke Santourian 2024 Bartender Battle Winner" at a Tiki Oasis event.
A group of people in tropical attire raise drinks and applaud on stage at a Tiki Oasis event, with banners and decorations in the background.
People in tropical attire celebrate on stage at Tiki Oasis 25th anniversary event, with a decorated backdrop and drinks on the table.
A woman in a green sleeveless dress smiles with her hands pressed to her cheeks, standing in front of a colorful background at an event.
A woman in a green dress smiles and holds a large wooden trophy with a glass cup at the top. A man stands in the background.

Throughout the day, a multitude of DJs kept everyone entertained with music at poolside and elsewhere.

A woman in a red and white swimsuit and flower headband smiles while holding a decorative umbrella by a pool.
A person splashes headfirst into a pool at the bottom of a green water slide labeled "Twister" surrounded by tropical plants.
A person exits a green spiral water slide labeled "Twister" and splashes into a pool surrounded by tropical plants.
A woman wearing a crown and sunglasses floats in a pool on an inflatable unicorn, with a person in a mermaid tail in front of her.
People in colorful clothing walk along a landscaped path with palm trees, flowers, and outdoor seating near modern apartment buildings on a sunny day.
A woman and two children stand in front of a Zoltar fortune teller machine in an arcade.
A close-up of a Zoltar fortune-telling machine with a person holding a "Zoltar Speaks" fortune card in front of the glass.
A group of children in colorful outfits stand facing an entertainer in front of a giant purple gorilla prop at a Tiki Oasis event.
A man in a colorful outfit gestures toward a large purple gorilla statue while several people in paper hats watch in a brightly decorated room.

On Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings, live bands played on an outdoor stage set up on the lawn.

A crowd of people in Hawaiian shirts watch a nighttime outdoor event with colorful stage lighting.

The fun continued late at night, with more live music…

…the Official Suite Soirees and the Midnight Burlesque Show.

A large hotel building lit with colorful lights at night, palm trees in front, and a crowd gathered at an outdoor event with a stage.
A man in a hat smiles while holding a woven straw monkey and a drink at a colorful event or festival.
A close-up of a smartwatch displaying the time 11:59 on Friday, August 8, worn on a wrist under purple lighting.
A performer in a green corset and gloves poses on stage with a large green fabric, in front of an audience and a blue backdrop.
A woman in a sparkly light blue dress strikes a dramatic pose on stage, holding a high-heeled shoe in one hand against a blue curtain backdrop.
A performer in a pink costume with feathers stands on stage under a "Tiki Oasis" sign, with an audience watching.
A performer in a colorful costume with large pink and blue feathers dances on stage at a Tiki Oasis event, with the event logo projected on a blue curtain behind her.
A woman in a crown and sequined dress holds a plaque and covers her mouth while another person with a microphone stands next to her against a purple backdrop.

On Sunday, after the day’s activities, it was time to party with the “Tiki Oasis Rock ‘n Roll Party! Shake, Shout, Shimmy!” That included arcade games, record vendors and Go-Go Dancers!

Black and white poster for a Lenny Kaye concert on August 10, presented by Tiki Oasis, featuring supporting acts, vendors, and event details.
Four vintage arcade and pinball machines are displayed in front of a colorful "Tiki Oasis Arcade" banner with a "2001" sign in a carpeted room.
A close-up view of an arcade bowling game with ten white pins arranged in a triangular formation on a striped lane.
Scoreboard display for "Ten Strike Classic" bowling game, showing red and green player score sections, bowling graphics, and score values for strikes and spares.
Close-up of a vintage tabletop baseball game featuring a plastic baseball player figurine and mechanical components under a clear cover.
A FunHouse pinball machine with colorful artwork, a large animated face, and various bumpers and flippers under a glass cover.

For more information and to sign up for the Tiki Oasis email list, visit: tikioasis.com.

A small dog wearing a pink floral shirt and novelty sunglasses that read "TIKI OASIS" is held up by a person indoors.
A woman stands behind a cart decorated with tropical plants and flowers, reading "Queen Rogue," with a large dog sitting inside.
Three small dogs wearing costumes sit in a pink toy car decorated with leis and a sign promoting @myPetsmiles on Facebook and Instagram.

To explore a wide variety of content dating back to 2002, with the most photos and the latest text, visit “AutoMatters & More” at https://automatters.net. Search by title or topic in the Search Bar in the middle of the Home Page, or click on the blue ‘years’ boxes and browse.

Copyright © 2025 by Jan Wagner – AutoMatters & More #894r1

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Jan Wagner

3 Comments

  1. David Sperry on August 22, 2025 at 8:47 am

    Rum and the sea do seem to go together. You should read up on the Kon Tiki Expedition… very interesting. David.

    Reply
  2. David Sperry on August 21, 2025 at 1:16 pm

    Jan, the Tiki Oasis was clearly inspired by Thor Heyerdahl’s Kon Tiki Expedition of 1948, where he navigated a balsa wood boat across the Pacific Ocean, to prove that ancient mariners could have done the same journey many centuries ago. It was worldwide news, and as a child, I can still remember all the hype.

    Years later, there was the Kon Tiki Bar and Restaurant in Montreal, where I rarely visited because it was too upscale for my menial salary.

    It looks like you thoroughly enjoyed your visit to Tiki Oasis, and I’m sure I would have too.

    Reply
    • Jan Wagner on August 21, 2025 at 7:08 pm

      David,
      Thank you for letting me know about that clear inspiration for Tiki Oasis. I did not know that.
      It also seems like an affinity for rum is common for Tiki aficionados. I do not care for alcoholic drinks, and especially rum. Its too strong for my tastes.
      I did enjoy Tiki Oasis and I am looking forward to going again next year. However, I wish they’d bring back the Tiki Oasis car show like they had at the previous hotel.
      Jan

      Reply

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