Surfing is an extremely fun and healthy activity that almost anyone can enjoy. However, if you are a beginner, learning to surf can be challenging. This is especially true if you don’t learn in the right places. Fortunately, San Diego County has plenty of beginner-friendly beaches, as well as rental shops, surf lesson camps, and even warm water in late summer and early fall. San Diego also has many other recreational activities.
When learning to surf, it is extremely important to choose the correct location. The learning curve can be steep enough that smooth waves are a must for the learning process. They are also simple safer, you want to leave the harder breaking waves for the more advanced surfers. This is important because even after your lessons, you will want to spend a lot of time practicing in the water. Some beginner surf spots that come to mind are La Jolla Shores, Tourmaline, and San Onofre. It is strongly recommended that you take a lesson from a professional instructor. The instructor will not only show you proper technique, but will also show you proper etiquette and have the proper surfboard (and wetsuit, if necessary) for you to learn. Professional instructors also know which beach to go to, as well as the right time to go.
Better than just lessons are all the surf camps on the San Diego County coast. These generally range from a full day to a full week of instruction. Surf camps are best for a learning blitz before you start out on your own. They will definitely shorten the learning curve for you.
Some popular surf camps
- Pacific Surf School – Mission Beach
- Surf Diva Surf School – La Jolla
- SoCal Surf School – Oceanside
- Surf Lessons SoCal – Carlsbad
- San Diego Surf Academy – South Carlsbad
- Leucadia Surf School – Leucadia
- Eli Howard Surf School – San Elijo State Beach
- Summer Soul Surf Camp – San Onofre
The water is not warm year-round, but it is quite warm in late summer and early fall, and is almost always warmer than the rest of California. If a wetsuit is needed, it can be rented from one of the many surf shops or a surf instructor will provide one for you as part of a lesson.
In addition to surfing, San Diego County offers many other activities. That’s what makes it ideal for families on vacation. For the kids there is Legoland, SeaWorld and the huge San Diego Zoo. For the adults the endless night life and restaurants. For everyone there is fishing, swimming, this list could go on. It goes without saying that you can find plenty What to do when you’re not learning to surf.
Southern California is probably the most ideal place in the US to learn to surf. Easy access beaches for beginners and a great selection of surf lessons and camps. Add to this the natural beauty and variety of activities, why not choose San Diego as the place where you will finally learn to surf? As many have already discovered, surfing is much more than a sport, it is a way of life. One that may start somewhere on a beach in San Diego County.