THE MIRAMAR JOURNEY AND THE CROWN BRANDS
Founded in 1983 on the golden shores of California’s Miramar Beach, Miramar® and King of the Beach® were born out of a shared passion for surf, sand, and the spirit of competition. Alongside its sister brand Sideout®, these American Riviera Brands™ embody a lifestyle that celebrates self-discovery, adventure, and the global beach culture.
From our beginnings in Santa Barbara — now home to the Rosewood Miramar Beach Montecito — we’ve stayed true to our belief: there’s a higher level of consciousness to be found through the journeys that the beach, surf, and volleyball lifestyles inspire.
OUR LEGACY
In 1983, founder Stephen Ascher, fresh from UC Berkeley and two-time National Champion setter, launched Sideout® Beachwear out of his frat house. A chance meeting at the MAGIC tradeshow with beach volleyball icon Sinjin Smith set the stage for something legendary.
Together, they built a brand rooted in the beach lifestyle — blending fashion, performance, and culture. With just a $5,000 investment and a vision for something bigger, Ascher and Smith created King of the Beach®, a symbol of excellence, authenticity, and passion.
The brand’s iconic imagery — like Sinjin’s 1988 “floater” poster on ESPN — became synonymous with the golden era of beach volleyball.
KING OF THE BEACH® and QUEEN OF THE BEACH™
The title of King of the Beach has been worn by legends, none greater than Karch Kiraly, widely regarded as the greatest volleyball player of all time. The only athlete to win Olympic gold in both indoor and beach volleyball, Karch continues to inspire athletes worldwide as head coach of the U.S. Women’s National Team.
Today, King and Queen of the Beach® represent more than sport — they embody a global lifestyle of freedom, strength, and connection to the sea.