Tiki Oasis celebrated its 25th year on Aug. 6 -10. Presented by Otto and Baby Doe, 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, DJs, colorful caftans, tropical cocktails with tastings, food, Tiki-themed hospitality suites, cool cars, the Tiki Oasis Marketplace, original Art and Lamp Shows, entertaining and educational seminars, Tiki-themed craft classes, dancing, costume contests, 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 and Country Resort in Mission Valley.
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.
The annual Tiki Oasis Caftan Stroll poolside
(Jan Wagner)
An opening night (Wednesday, Aug. 6) 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 a.m. Thursday morning, Aug. 7.
The seminars and other activities all took place at the Town & Country Resort, from Thursday, Aug. 7, through Sunday, Aug. 10. 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.
Original lamp at the annual Tiki Oasis Lamp Show
(Jan Wagner)
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!,” “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,” “Lamp Building from Layout To Illuminate” with Patrick Thompson, “Brooches and Brims” with Kristen James & Jennifer Watson, ”Posing for Photos… Underwater!” with MeduSirena, and the 11th Annual Tiki Oasis San Diego Bartender Battle.”
Throughout the day, a multitude of DJs kept everyone entertained with music at poolside and elsewhere. On Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings, live bands played on an outdoor stage set up on the lawn. The fun continued late at night, with more live music, the Official Suite Soirees and the Midnight Burlesque Show.
A live band performing on stage at the event.
(Jan Wagner)
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!
For more information and to sign up for the Tiki Oasis email list, visit: tikioasis.com.
Eliza Woodman — 2025 Bartender Battle winner
(Jan Wagner)
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Copyright © 2025 by Jan Wagner – AutoMatters & More #894r1
Originally Published: August 19, 2025 at 10:55 AM PDT