7 San Diego Surf Trips Worth Booking

1.SUP Rental

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 47 reviews · 1 to 4 hours (approx.) Our pick

Rent a stand-up paddleboard at Liberty Station and paddle calm marina water at your own pace for one to four hours. You receive a board, paddle, and life jacket, with quick shore instructions before setting out. The setting offers downtown views, easy access, and a gentle start for beginners.

“The staff was amazing and were very patient and flexible. We had members of our group running late because they were traveling from out of town with more weekend travel than usual. The staff was very accommodating and made us feel comfortable the whole time. We will definitely return!”

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2.Stand up Paddle Board Lesson on The San Diego Bay

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 25 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $25Best value

Meet Michael, Sean, or the Chula Vista Water Sports team at Bayside Park for a beginner-friendly paddleboard lesson. You get safety instruction, a board, life vest, and dry bag, then about 90 minutes on San Diego Bay, with kayaking available instead.

“Mike was great (early, prepared, and experienced). My family (2 adults and 2 children) and I have never been paddle boarding before and Mike took time to give us lessons making sure we were comfortable before heading out to the bay. My kids went out on their own! Everyone had a great time. The location was also great.”

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3.Semi-Private Surf Lesson

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 19 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $125

Meet the San Diego Surf School at 4850 Cass St for a 90-minute private lesson focused on the pop-up, wave timing, and paddling. Your instructor provides a board and wetsuit, then works with only your group. Past sessions featured instructors such as Tanner, Cody, Tom, Ken, and Brooks.

“Excellent experience for my two sons. Instructor Tom had them up in 30 minutes. Quick instruction on the beach and they were into the water. Must do for teens.”

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4.Group Surf Lesson

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 14 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $113

Meet the San Diego Surf School at 4850 Cass St for a 90-minute beginner lesson with gear included. Expect beach safety practice, clear coaching, and time in the waves with CPR and lifeguard-certified instructors. Private groups, English instruction, and a 4:1 student-to-instructor ratio keep the lesson personal.

“Amazing instructors had so much fun, great prep too and made me feel safe and confident Easy location to get to and from as well”

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5.Private Surf Lesson

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 13 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $162

Meet at 4850 Cass St for a private 90-minute lesson with San Diego Surf School. Your instructor covers safety, paddling, wave timing, and the pop-up, then gives focused coaching in the water. Wetsuit, rash guard, and board rental are included.

“Great check-in experience with warm greetings from the staff. Our instructor was friendly, kind, and patient as my daughter learned to navigate the waves. She had a wonderful time learning to surf! My daughter was always near the instructor - was never concerned with safety. Would book this again!”

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6.Private Group Surf Lesson

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5 reviews · 2 hours

Spend two hours learning to surf with a private instructor from Wavehuggers. You’ll practice wetsuit use, beach footwork, paddling, ocean conditions, etiquette, and wave riding at a San Diego-area beach you choose.

“Eric goes great! So patient and fun. Born to be a surf instructor. If we weren’t moving across the country in a couple weeks, we would continue lessons.”

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7.1 Day Adult Surf Retreat in San Diego

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $191

Meet San Diego Surf School at 9am for a three-hour adult surf lesson at 4850 Cass St. Your small group learns surfing basics, etiquette, wave choice, and ocean safety, with all gear included and up to three surfers per instructor.

“Great experience. I plan on coming back to San Diego just to take a multi day class with these guys.”

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