Learn How To Surf: 10 Best Surf Camps & Surf Lessons In San Diego (2024)

Are you looking to take San Diego surf lessons? You’ve come to the right place. San Diego is home to 70 miles of alluring beaches, offering a playground for those who want to take up surfing. I love living in San Diego and watching the surfers during high tide, but to be honest, I have not yet made it a point to learn it myself.

Regardless of your experience, plenty of options will have you hitting waves at high speeds in no time.

To help choose the option that suits you best, we’ve researched this list of the best surf camps and surf lessons in San Diego. You’ll be a professional before you know it!

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The Top La Jolla Surf Camps

Learn To Surf In La Jolla

La Jolla is well known as one of the top places for first-timers learning to surf in California. Take this hour-and-a-half lesson with an experienced instructor along the La Jolla shores. Grasp the fundamentals of surfing and learn safety on land before heading out on your own.

After the lesson, participants can keep the surfboard for an additional hour to practice all they’ve learned.

The La Jolla shores surf lessons begin at Everyday California’s office at Avenida De La Playa. There’s a maximum limit of four people, so you get an intimate experience with your instructor and can take in more from the lessons.

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The classes include boards and an Everyday California t-shirt. If you’d like a wet suit, you can hire one for an added fee.

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2-Hour Private Group Surf Lessons In La Jolla

Would you like to do a private La Jolla shores surf lesson? This two-hour masterclass is a brilliant way to improve your surfing skills through new techniques, etiquette, safety, and more. The company’s CPR-certified instructors tailor the lessons to your ability.

Whether you’ve surfed a couple of times before or it’s your first, you’ll be in good hands. During the lesson, you’ll also be taught about ocean conservation and how to keep the water safe for other surfers.

You get to choose what time you begin your lesson. There will be an option for you to communicate this upon booking. Everything necessary is included in the price of this excursion, including your surfboard, wet suit, and bottled water.

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The Best Pacific Beach Surf Camps

Private Surf Lesson on Pacific Beach

Large group classes can have an impact on how much someone gets out of a lesson, especially for people just starting out. Book yourself 1.5-hour Pacific Beach surf lessons to get an instructor’s full attention and master how to surf properly.

Get used to correctly positioning yourself on a board and discover how to anticipate certain waves in a fun, interactive way.

Lessons are tailored towards each person’s skill set, so you’re not taking on something you’re incapable of. All instructors are professional lifeguards and CPR certified, so you’ll be in safe hands.

While these are private surf lessons, if you’d like to take part as a family, that’s possible. There’s no need to bring any wetsuits or surfboards, as the company provides them.

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Semi-Private Surf Lesson with San Diego Surf School

Join the San Diego Surf School for an action-packed, semi-private 90-minute lesson. Start your journey at Cass Street, where your guide will meet you. Take advantage of the low student-to-instructor ratio which ensures you get the most out of the class.

Begin your surfing experience on the beach, learning how to stand up and how to position your body when a wave comes towards you. Once you’re comfortable, it’s time to see what you’re made of on the water. We know you’ll be great!

If you’re a family or group of buddies looking to dip your toes into the surfing world, this is one of the leading surfing classes in San Diego for that. You get high-quality gear with your bookings, like a modern surfboard and an insulated wet suit.

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1-Day Adult Surf Lessons in San Diego

Choosing a one-day class can be difficult, with so many companies offering surf lessons. This retreat comes with all of the required gear and is the perfect place to kick things off if you’ve never laid foot on a board.

Learn the basics so you’ll be safe out on the sea alone and grasp a new skill or two from a team of friendly experts. The instructors go the extra mile to ensure you get where you want to be.

The departure time is at 9 am from Cass Street, but you’re required to be there a half an hour early to get your gear on.

Book here

2-Day Adult Surf Retreat In San Diego

Make good use of the Pacific Ocean while you visit San Diego and join this two-day small group surf retreat. Decide which days suit your schedule, pack your bags, and prepare to surf on Pacific Beach.

Start every morning bright and early, from 9 am, so the middle of your day isn’t taken up. Reap the benefits of having small group lessons of three-to-one instructors who will provide you with a wide range of knowledge.

By the end of day two, you’ll be fully competent on a surfboard and able to go out on your own whenever you like.

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3-Day Adult Surf Retreat in San Diego

Gain some real progress over three days through this surf camp located close to Pacific Beach. The surf school offers an intensive course for adults over three consecutive mornings from Monday to Wednesday (three hours for each class).

Grasp a variety of expertise from instructors who have been on surfboards since they were little. You’re guaranteed to learn about water safety, surfing behavior, selecting the right waves, and more. The results you’ll come out with at the end will be astonishing.

Each morning of the course you’ll be given a wetsuit, surfboard, and rash guard so you’re well-equipped.

This area of San Diego is one of the easiest places to learn how to surf, as the waves are smaller than in other parts of the coast. It’s the ideal place for a beginner to learn their craft. If you’re an experienced surfer, don’t worry; the classes are tailored toward each individual’s skill set, giving you more freedom.

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5-Day Adult Surf Retreat in San Diego

Become a master surfer on this five-day adult San Diego surf camp. Instead of dipping your toes into the sport, become a pro over five days, learning about everything from wave selection to balancing techniques.

Classes are three people to one instructor, allowing personalized support throughout the retreat. Rash guards, surfboards, and wet suits are included, you couldn’t ask for much more!

Book here

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Small Group Surf Lesson San Diego

What better way to learn how to surf in San Diego than by taking a group lesson? Grab a towel and friends and head down to Cass Street, where your 90 minute class will start.

Find out the best techniques and tricks from expert instructors who have been teaching people how to take on the San Diego waves for years.

Each group has a maximum limit of four people to one instructor, so you’ll still get personalized attention. All your gear is included in the price; all you have to worry about is getting on your feet!

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Private Surf Lessons with Lance Maxwell (A Professional Surfer)

Cut the trial-and-error method of learning on your own and head out to sea for a 90-minute lesson with a professional surfer. Lance Maxwell has surfed in some of the most difficult surfing destinations, including Mavericks and Nazare.

Learn an array of tips for your ability, like positioning, correct ways of standing up, paddling, ocean awareness, and choosing safe waves. There’s no need to bring your surfboard and wet suit as they will be provided by the instructor.

You’ll meet up with Lance at Mission Boulevard and make your way to nearby Pacific Beach, where the class begins. He’ll be in the water with you throughout the excursion and show you exactly how things are done. It’s not every day you get to have a one-to-one with a pro surfer.

After the class, you’ll have a bit of question-and-answer time with your instructor. This is your time to get the inside scoop on how to become a great surfer!

Lessons are available Monday to Friday, 10 am to 5:30 pm. Class time is confirmed by the instructor beforehand.

Book here

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Surfing seems like a difficult water sport to learn from the outside, but once you grasp the method, there will be no stopping you. Taking classes is one of the best ways to build up your skillset and learn to surf in San Diego.

With a few classes and some consistent practice out in the water, you’ll be well on your way to becoming fully confident on a surfboard!

When you’re ready to practice after lessons, check out the Best Beaches In San Diego.

Which surf lessons in San Diego will you try?

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Last Updated on May 9, 2023 by Maria Haase

Learn How To Surf: 10 Best Surf Camps & Surf Lessons In San Diego (2024)
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