Enjoy The Ride Surf School

(94 reviews)

2.2 mi

My daughter and I decided to try surfing for the first time, and we had an amazing experience with…read moreSoCal Surf Lessons! We had zero ocean experience, but our instructors, Rusty and Justin, were fantastic. They made us feel comfortable right away and did a great job teaching beginners. We were a little worried about getting cold, but Rusty set us up with extra thick wetsuits, which made a huge difference. After a quick practice on the beach, we headed straight into the water! It was an exhilarating experience! I even managed to get up a few times. We had an absolute blast and would definitely recommend this to anyone wanting to try surfing!

Our family reunion was held in Carlsbad, where we booked SoCal Surf lessons for our group of 18…read more After about 30 minutes of beach instructions from Rusty, the big group broke up into a series of smaller ones, then paddled out with their own instructor. Lots of waves were caught, lots of wipeouts experienced, and a great time was had by all. , Rusty was easy to work with, timely with communication, and his instructors knowledgable and patient. This was a great introduction to the sport for our family members. Thanks, Rusty!

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Fulcrum Surf

4.7

(80 reviews)

3.8 mi

WARNING!!!! Took My Money, Canceled the Trip, Zero Accountability!!…read more Booking with Fulcrum Surf has been one of the worst customer experiences I've ever had. I paid several thousand dollars up front for a Kelly Slater Wave Ranch trip -- something special I had planned more than a year in advance as a Christmas gift for my fiancé. After the initial deposit, my card was hit with additional charges I did not authorize or approve beforehand. I assumed it was part of the package and kept going because I trusted the company and believed the trip was secured. Then they went silent. For months. When they finally resurfaced -- over a year after taking and holding my money -- it was to tell me the trip wasn't happening. No apology, no explanation, no alternative solution, and certainly no urgency. The trip that I had paid for in full simply did not exist anymore. Instead of refunding me, they offered store credit, as if I should be excited to keep gambling with a company that couldn't deliver the trip they already took my money for. I declined and asked for a refund back to my original form of payment, which is standard for any legitimate business. Since then? Radio silence. No refund. No acknowledgment. No accountability. Just a company sitting on my money, hoping I'll get tired and go away. In my opinion, this behavior is deeply unprofessional and completely unacceptable. A company that can quickly charge your card but disappears the moment they owe you money tells me everything I need to know. If you're considering booking with them, here's my honest advice: don't. There are plenty of surf travel companies out there that understand customer service, deliver what they sell, and don't leave customers chasing their own money for months. After everything I've experienced, I would never book with Fulcrum Surf again and would strongly warn others to think twice before handing over a single dollar.

Justin and Ari from Fulcrum might just be the best coaches in all of SoCal (and I've had a few!)…read more In a short time, they helped elevate my skills to a whole new level, transitioning me from a Wavestorm, to a mid-length, and now to a performance shortboard. Both place a big emphasis on form, incorporating both land and water exercises to strengthen the key muscle groups essential for shortboarding. In the water, they keep attention to the smallest details which is helping to fine-tune my technique - and the video analysis has been a game changer for my progress. Fulcrum sincerely cares about my progress and surf journey and I can't thank them enough.

A complete range of instruction from beginner to advanced coaching, summer surf camps, Independent Surf PE, international travel and more.

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Awesome crew!

Encinitas Surf Lessons

4.9

(177 reviews)

6.1 mi

I booked this for my kiddos for two of their birthday experiences when visiting from AZ. We had a…read moresmall issue with booking what were able to get it all figured out. Carlos was awesome with my 3 kids! He gave them great cues and was super patient and supportive. My kids had an absolute blast and just "going to the beach" will probably never cut it again!

I had a lesson with Alex, and he was really great with the stage I was at. I need some help with…read morewave selection, reading, timing, etc., and a lot of instructors just revert to working on the first-time beginner stuff. Alex helped me with what I was trying to work on and let me keep some stuff in his car, because I was traveling without one for part of my trip, which I really appreciated!

Tom and Jason

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Learn To Rip Surf Lessons

(61 reviews)

6.2 mi

My boys (14 &12) had 3, 2 hour surf lessons with LTR. They absolutely loved their lessons even…read morethough they were very hesitant. The instructors made the boys feel extremely comfortable and confident. By the second lesson the instructors decided to take them out into the deeper water and challenge them more. I really appreciated that. Also, communication with setting up appointments was very prompt and thorough. LTR provides everything for the lesson. They have a great selection of boards and wetsuits.

First time surfing, I had an amazing time. Great teachers (I was with Elizabeth) who teach very…read moreclearly and great opportunity to just walk up to the tent and end up having a great time. Whenever we are in the area, will be coming back. :)

Best beginner-friendly surf lessons in Oceanside, CA

Learn to rip like local Oceanside legends

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Happy Surfer

Offshore Surf Shop

Good locals place to get stuff you need. The store has a wide selection, affordable prices and good…read moreservice. Staff was very helpful and accommodating.

Huge selection for women. A lot of surf shops imo really don't have squat for women and they have a…read moreton. I got a dress, top, a few bottoms, a one piece cut out long sleeve suit, got my daughter some matching reef shoes. It was nice to be able to have a lot to choose from. The workers were cool but younger and a little ditzy but I guess that's to be expected.

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Eli Howard Surf School

(44 reviews)

5.9 mi

We LOVE Eli Howard! Our most favorite camp that we truly count down the days for. Emily is amazing…read moreand so are all of the instructors.

Great in-water instruction for beginners. Lots of reps on the inside reform for those who need to…read morefind their feel for the waves, then help with learning to catch and drop in on waves with a face

Surf Campers are always ready to refuel after surfing. Did somebody say "Crumb Cake!?"

If I can do it- you can, too!

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There is more to the camps than surfing!

Surfin Fire Surf School

(63 reviews)

6.6 mi

In early April 2026, we took a surf lesson with Steve and had SO much fun. He met us (ages 44, 44,…read moreand 15) at the top of the steps at Stonesteps Beach and helped us suit up in comfy wetsuits. We were all first-timers from a landlocked state. Steve's instructions out on the water were easy to follow and he helped steady the boards to ensure we all got up! The ocean temp was perfect for a 75 degree sunny day- we were super comfortable. The ocean floor is very flat with no rocks or seaweed. Honestly wouldn't change a darn thing, and huge shoutout to Steve who is very good at this! Would absolutely do this again.

Surfing has always been something that I was too afraid or intimidated to try. I've lived in SoCal…read moremy whole life and was kinda embarrassed that I never REALLY tried to surf. I decided to face my fears and sign up for a lesson. I'm so happy I did. I had an amazing private lesson with Steve who was very patient and encouraging. They provided the board and wetsuit so all I needed to do was show up. It was a perfect day and the waves weren't too scary. They picked a spot that wasn't crowded and we just kept trying to catch waves. Steve provided helpful tips each wave and I eventually was able to ride multiple waves which surprised me! I wasn't expecting to be able to be able to stay up on the board, but through minor adjustments from Steve I exceeded my expectations. Thank you Lynn for setting everything up and making it easy. Highly recommend!

Waxing down the boards

All gear included.

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Fox Surf Lessons

(11 reviews)

2.6 mi

BEST SURF TEACHER EVER!!!!!!!!…read more Seriously, I've been working with Richard for about 2 months now, and I have gone from being a complete beginner to riding 5 ft waves. I feel totally confident in the water when I'm out there with Richard, and he has taught me so much about everything from fundamentals to safety to surf slang. We also always have a ton of fun together - he's a super nice guy! I really can't recommend him highly enough!!!!!!

What a great first surf lesson my daughter had! Richard Fox is one of those few, special people who…read morehas a real passion for what he does. He was really kind and patient with my kid, and she learned so much from him in just one lesson. Richard Fox is a true old-school surfing pro who makes a living teaching others his love of the ocean and the waves. He is a true professional instructor and I can't say enough good things about him or his teaching style. Oh, and my kid actually STOOD UP on the board toward the end of her lesson and surfed to shore! We will be seeing Richard again for a few more lessons. Thank you Richard Fox!!!!

The "what's what and how's how" pre-lesson before the plunge.

Wooo hooo first wave!

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Whitlock Surf Experience

(187 reviews)

5.4 mi

It was a great experience, I was a first timer and we got out there and shredded some waves and had…read morea great time, definitely will be coming back in the future!

Wow! I can't say enough kind things about my whole experience. Cory and his team were absolutely…read moreamazing. Ray led the lesson and made everyone feel included. He even took his time to remember everyone's name, which says a lot. He was very encouraging and helpful. My group ended up connecting after to hangout the rest of the day in Oceanside and we all even ended up buying surf boards back at the shop (also highly recommend). Give Cory your money and go surf! Trust me!

You know it's a good sign when you take your first lesson and leave with a surfboard and wetsuit.

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The Native School

3.8

(68 reviews)

3.2 mi

We are so happy our kindergartener had the opportunity to join native this year. She has grown so…read moremuch in her self confidence, exploration skills and we're in awe at how much she's learned in just a few months! The entire staff and all teachers are such incredible people and we couldn't have asked for sweater or more caring teachers for our learner.

My daughter is in her second year at Native School and we cannot say enough good things about it!…read moreUnfortunately there has been some bad publicity because a former employee (trying to steal students away to a competing school she was opening) fed parents misinformation that scared them, including launching a really personal attack against the amazing director, Shannon, who is an incredibly transparent and thoughtful preschool director. She hosts regular meetings for parents to talk to her and will also always be happy to hop on a meeting any afternoon to discuss any questions and concerns. The program itself stood out to me immediately for being a really good supportive model for development. The students are not playing "Lord of the Flies" out in the woods, they are guided and supported by amazing teachers who spend their afternoons writing documentation of the learning in their classrooms and designing emergent curriculum. We could not be happier with the school we chose and our daughter loves school passionately. We have even decided to keep her in Native School another year instead of moving to the free public TK because of how much we love the program and the teachers.

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Country Club Child Care

4.9

(57 reviews)

12.5 mi

We've been with CCCC for about six months, and prior to that we were living in Los Angeles, where…read moreour son attended a daycare he absolutely loved. Naturally, we were a bit nervous about making a switch when he was so young--but the transition couldn't have gone more smoothly. He quickly settled in and formed bonds with both the teachers and the other children. One of the things we really appreciate is their communication. They share photos throughout the day (which my husband and parents especially enjoy) and provide updates at pickup. It's clear that a lot of thought goes into their daily activities too--they're creative and engaging. We've seen meaningful growth in our son, both developmentally and socially. He truly thrives around other kids, and we credit much of that to his experience at CCCC. Another standout quality is their flexibility. Our schedule is mostly part-time, but when we've needed full-time care for certain months, they've been incredibly accommodating. That kind of flexibility is hard to find at larger daycare centers.

Country club child care has a warm, home-like atmosphere where kids feel safe and cared for…read more I especially appreciate how clean and organized everything is, and how much attention is given to each child. It doesn't feel like a big, overwhelming daycare -- it feels more personal, which is so important for little ones. They also do creative activities like arts and play-based learning, which helps kids develop and stay engaged. If you're looking for a smaller, nurturing environment for your child, this is definitely a great option.

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Highland Preschool

(53 reviews)

2.6 mi

It was actually an old draft that had been sitting in my account. I realized I never posted before,…read moreso I went ahead and posted it now. I'm not carrying anything. All good here. Just thought I'd share my experience with others so they aren't surprised. I've had people ask me what I thought about Highland and I've told them, so it seemed fitting to make it public to warn people. Now you are making things up. No profanity was used. How did you even come up with that? You weren't there. Did she make that up or did you? And what disrespect are you talking about? Me being mad? Yes, I was mad, but there was no disrespect. Raising my voice a little out of frustration that I had just told the teacher about my kid's reflux, then less than an hour later I had to pick her up for what you even confirmed was spit up? I missed my deadline and had to rearrange my whole week because of that. You told me I could bring my kid back that same day once you confirmed that the teacher didn't even know what spit up is (yet she is watching 10+ kids all day long). But I refused because I had been called so many times to pick up my child in the past. My kid has since been at another preschool and I haven't been called a single time to pick her up. If anything, your school and the teacher had a clear disrespect of my time and my job on many occasions when you would call me and require me to pick up my kid for silly reasons. Can any other reviewers confirm that this has happened to them as well? I am sure there are some that would say so themselves. I totally understand what I committed to when registering. I didn't know that my kid would be sent home again, and after so many times, I just had enough. I asked for a refund of the deposit, but you refused despite the mistake on your staff's part. That's ok. I figured since that is the case, then an honest review is fair.

We are so happy with our Highland experience. I was very anxious about sending my daughter to…read morepreschool for the first time, and we toured several facilities to see what was out there and what would be the best fit for us. As soon as we toured Highland, I knew we had found our place. The teachers are so incredibly kind and nurturing, and the Reggio Emilia play-based philosophy they follow is so wonderful. We love how much outdoor time our daughter gets, and she loves telling us about everything she's learning. In addition to the classrooms, there is a garden, mud kitchen, art atelier, and critters for the kids to play with / learn about including Tortilla the tortoise and Larry the chinchilla. Our daughter has been there for nearly a year now and we just couldn't be more pleased. As a mom, it's so important to trust the school and caregivers that interact with your child/children, and Highland is a truly wonderful place to send your kids.

Our art area with giant chalkboard wall

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Discovery Preschool

(43 reviews)

4.5 mi

Family-owned & operated

Discounts available

We have had an exceptional experience at Discovery Preschool and could not be more grateful for our…read moreson's time here. Our son entered the infant classroom at four months old and as a first time parent I had so many fears and concerns regarding childcare, I sobbed the day we dropped him off for the first time. Over a year later our family has to relocate, and on his last day in the toddler room I cried again, but this time out of genuine sadness to leave our Discovery family. Sally, Jen, and the staff have provided unconditional care, demonstrated professionalism, and shared their expertise in a way that has exceeded my expectations for childcare. I will be forever grateful for the love and guidance they have provided our family. Some areas Discovery has impressed us in: -Infant safe sleep and overall child safety -Breastmilk handling and bottle feeding -Handling of parent-provided food during transition to solids -Assistance and adherence to provided infant sleep and feeding schedule -Transition from infant to toddler room -Age appropriate activities -Opportunity for safe outdoor toddler play -Communication with parents regarding child-specific development -Timely reports of illness and injury -Family oriented environment and sense of community

We love Discovery! Our daughter started going there about a year-and-a-half ago when she turned 3…read moreand then our baby joined a couple months later at 6 months old. Exceptional staff, curriculum and activities. Both kids love it there and have so much fun.

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Cardiff Family Daycare

(27 reviews)

7.7 mi

We cannot recommend Jodie and Cardiff Family Daycare highly enough! Our son started with Jodie when…read morehe was 16 months old and stayed for a full year. During that time, we saw incredible progress in his development and social skills. Jodie is so creative with her daily activities; she doesn't just 'watch' the kids, she truly teaches them through play. One of our absolute favorite parts of the week was Music Day, where a musician comes in with a guitar to sing with the children. It was a highlight for our son! Jodie has cultivated a wonderful, kind group of children, and the environment is always warm and welcoming. We only moved him because we wanted a Spanish-immersion environment for his language development, but we are so grateful for the love and care Jodie gave our son. She will be missed!

We loved our time at Cardiff Family Daycare. The owner Jodie is so warm and experienced- we…read moreimmediately felt safe to leave our 9 month old in her care. We loved that the kids do lots of outside activities and that Jodie is flexible with how they nap and any other individual needs they might have. We will continue to bring our kids there when their new schools have breaks and we need coverage care. 10/10!

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Kids Castle Day Care

(22 reviews)

3.5 mi

I cannot recommend Kids Castle enough! My 2-year-old has been attending since last September, and…read moreit has been the perfect fit for our family. Before finding this wonderful at-home care facility, my child had a poor experience at a local large daycare, which left us nervous. However, she settled in very quickly at Kids Castle and is now happy to go in and play every single day. The small team of women who run it are incredibly professional, polite, and caring. Their communication skills are excellent, which makes me feel so relaxed leaving my child there. The quality of care and activities is top-notch. They cover everything from reading, counting, and learning colors to dancing, cooking, arts and crafts, and vital social-emotional learning. I feel incredibly fortunate to have found Kids Castle and truly hope we can stay here until my child reaches TK!

My wife and I moved to La Costa in November and started looking for childcare right away. We added…read moreour names to the waitlist at Kids Castle daycare and kept our fingers crossed. About five months later we got the call, and it has been the best experience since. The wait was absolutely worth it. My daughter has already shown real progress from all the activities and structure they provide. I also really appreciate the daily photo updates, it gives us peace of mind and lets us feel connected to her day. We could not be happier with our decision. I cannot recommend Kids Castle enough

Watering plants!

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Three Little Owls Learning Academy

(15 reviews)

7.0 mi

Both of my children attended daycare at Three Little Owls. My son was in the infant room and my…read moredaughter in the preschool. We toured numerous daycare centers in Vista, and Three Little Owls was the obvious choice for a number of reasons. First, it was by far the cleanest daycare center we toured. The teachers and owners are extremely vigilant about daily cleaning and sanitizing. It was also opened more recently so all of the toys, supplies, and furniture are very new and clean. Next, they make all meals fresh for the students, daily. My son started at six months when he began solids and I was so impressed with the food they offered him. (They make the babies homemade bone broth puree!) my daughter also loved all of the homemade meals and snacks in the preschool. Lastly, the owners and teachers all truly love the students. My husband and I both work full time and leaving our babies everyday is hard. However, I always felt so confident that they were loved and cared for by every teacher at Three Little Owls. You don't find teachers that compassionate and invested in the children at every daycare. It is truly a special place. I highly recommend Three Little Owls to anyone looking for childcare. We are so grateful for all they have done for us.

Words can't express how amazing Three Little Owls Academy truly is. My son was enrolled here and…read moreabsolutely loved his time at the school. Every day was filled with fun, engaging activities, and I could see his growth almost immediately, he even learned new words and manners within his first week! The staff are incredibly kind, nurturing, and genuinely care about each child as if they were their own. They prepare fresh, delicious meals daily, and it's clear that so much love and thought go into everything they do. I would also like to add how clean and well kept the place is! They do a fantastic job ensuring the space is not busy and clean! We are so grateful to have found such a wonderful, safe, and enriching environment for our son. Three Little Owls Academy is truly a special place!

One of our preschool classrooms

Pre-K classroom

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Gaby’s Daycare