Enjoy The Ride Surf School

(96 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!

These guys were great. Not only was Rusty communicative but he was also gracious and flexible to…read moreaccommodate us when I mixed up the booking date. Curan jumped right in and gave us a lesson and he was great. He made it super easy for us to be successful and had lots of patience. We are looking forward to our next surf lesson when we are in town. Thank you.

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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

(176 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

(63 reviews)

6.2 mi

My three teen/young adult sons had a fabulous first surfing experience today thanks to LTR and…read moretheir knowledgeable and helpful instructor Hayden. Everyone at LTR was so kind and helpful. We parents were quite impressed with their overall program, which we saw in action. At one point, I observed the intermediate group of youth at a camp/session that John was coaching picking up trash on the beach during a break. They clearly know not only how to cultivate community, but also how to care for it and the environment. Bravo! My sons can't wait to get back in the water tomorrow and give surfing another go! Thank you!

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.

Best beginner-friendly surf lessons in Oceanside, CA

Learn to rip like local Oceanside legends

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Happy Surfer

Offshore Surf Shop

Super awesome, 10/10. Rented 2 surfboards & a boogeyboard. Right next to beach so great location,…read moreand solid prices! Very affordable :) Owner was also super cool!

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.

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Eli Howard Surf School

(43 reviews)

5.9 mi

San Elijo Beach is an excellent place to learn to surf, since the waves tend to be gentler than…read moreelsewhere. Eli Howard Surf School is a great school, especially if you're camping at San Elijo. The instructors were super supportive and helpful, and 2 hours was enough to tell me I want more surfing!

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

(189 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

(69 reviews)

3.2 mi

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.

***Warning to parents*** My experience with the teachers…read morewas generally good but you could tell there was a disconnect between them and upper management due to the high turnover rate and disruption in teacher continuity. The frequent and disruptive staff changes significantly effected my 4 year old son who was upset to see teachers come and go. At the end of our semester for 2024-2025 it became worse and substitutes/new faces were very common. We were told by some teachers that quit that safety regs/guidelines were not being followed(especially on rainy/stormy days). All that being said, we decided to pull our child out from the Fall 2025 semester. We had already paid for it but we figured we would be returned our reservation money due to the circumstances. Management refused our first attempt to reimburse us even after my child's spot was filled(Bad business etiquette). So here we are with our reviews and our next steps will be small claims. In the contract it states that they will maintain a consistent and properly staffed program...That was not our experience.

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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

4.7

(54 reviews)

2.6 mi

We feel incredibly blessed to be part of the Highland family. We follow respectful parenting and…read moreare big believers in child led play based learning so Highland was the perfect fit for our family. And the teachers are what make Highland special. They are the most loving authentic human beings on the planet and they love all the children. Each of them treat each child with love and respect in every interaction. We couldn't be more thankful to their impact on our little loves lives. Our middle child entered shy and a little guarded and left transformed- confident and happy. She is now 6 and is thriving beyond our wildest imaginations at kindergarten. Our youngest is in his second year at Highland and he loves school so much so he doesn't want to be picked up until closing and when he is an adult he wants to teach at Highland. Thank you to all at Highland for loving, nurturing and supporting my kiddos so well! PS Highland staff is also diverse, and likely as a result, student population fairly diverse too, which is also of high value to our family. PPS Love that the kids spend so much time outside!

My children did not attend this preschool, this is based on my experience trying to enroll my…read moredaughter in the school. I have sent emails to four different contacts provided by the school website asking about enrollment over several months, and have not received any replies at all. I understand they could be busy or fully enrolled, but at the very least someone could send a one sentence email saying they are full. Extremely disappointing communication, which is too bad because it looks like a lovely place.

Our art area with giant chalkboard wall

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Discovery Preschool

(43 reviews)

4.5 mi

Family-owned & operated

Discounts available

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.

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

Discovery Preschool was voted the best Preschool in North County!

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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

(17 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.

Very Disappointing Experience…read more When I first read the reviews for this daycare, I honestly thought I had found the best daycare for my children. The reviews gave me a very positive impression, so I went there genuinely hoping to enroll my children. Unfortunately, my actual experience was very different. The first thing I noticed was that the outdoor play area seemed quite small to me. However, that alone would not have stopped me from enrolling my children. I was still willing to move forward until I had several conversations with the director that completely changed my mind. My baby is only four months old. I explained that I would want to stop by during the day from time to time to check on my baby. The director reacted very strongly and asked me, "What do you mean by visiting?" I was told that I should leave my child and go, and that at most I could come once and look at my baby from behind the glass. When I explained that I wanted to be able to visit during the day, I was told, "If everyone wants to come, we can't work." The comment that I found most upsetting was: "I only have this problem with Iranians." I personally found that statement very disappointing and uncomfortable, especially because the staff I interacted with were also Persian-speaking. I had toured several other daycare centers, and my experience with them was completely different. They were respectful and welcoming when I asked about visiting my baby during the day, and some even told me that I could come to breastfeed my baby if needed. I never felt like asking about my child was an inconvenience. I also asked for printed copies of the forms I needed. The way this request was handled felt unnecessarily irritated and unprofessional to me. I was given several papers that, in my opinion, were disorganized. At the other daycare centers I visited, the forms were provided neatly in folders and the staff were much more helpful and organized. I understand that every daycare has rules and that staff need to maintain a routine. I was not asking to disrupt the classroom. As a parent of a four-month-old baby, I simply wanted to understand how communication and parental visits worked and to feel comfortable with the people caring for my child. I have now enrolled my children at a different daycare, and my experience has been completely different. The staff have been respectful, patient, and welcoming. I am able to come in when I need to, and I have even been able to stay for a while with my children. No one has ever told me that I cannot visit my children or that I have to stand behind a window to see them. This experience has made me even more confident that my concerns during my visit to this daycare were reasonable. Unfortunately, after my tour and conversations with the director, I no longer felt comfortable enrolling my children there. Based on my personal experience, this was one of the most disappointing daycare tours I had. I went in with very high expectations because of the reviews, but my experience with the director completely changed my impression. I ultimately decided not to enroll my children, and based on my experience, I would not recommend this daycare to my family or friends. This review reflects my personal experience, impressions, and opinions after visiting the daycare.

One of our preschool classrooms

Pre-K classroom

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Gaby’s Daycare

See more unrecommended reviews

(5 reviews)

1.4 mi

Gaby's daycare is everything you could want in a daycare. I hesitate to even call it daycare…read morebecause it feels more like preschool. Gabi is amazing! She does reading, art, gardening, and more with all the children--babies to preschoolers. She's passionate and love what she does. I couldn't trust a better person and environment to leave my daughter. My daughter has so much fun going there and she's always happy and tells me how was her day. I would definitely recommend Gaby's daycare!!!

Gaby was our daycare helper long ago in San Diego and we loved her so much. She is reliable, very…read moresweet and caring. If you're looking for a safe place to have peace of mind to leave your children, I recommend Gaby. She not only cares a lot about each child but she knows the importance of teaching young children. Gaby knows how to guide children towards making good choices and she disciplines with love and redirection.

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Hugh B.

2 years ago

Daniel has been by far the best surf teacher that I have had. He has helped me learn many aspects of surfing, and he has great insights in terms of learning various aspects of surfing. I have been surfing for over ten years, learned much later in life and had developed a lot of bad habits that were holding me back. Daniel has been helping me to correct a lot of those habits. One surf shop owner told me that he is one of the best surfers in SD and I believe it. He has an effortless way of surfing, frequently catching waves without paddling, because his positioning is so good. I booked a lot of lessons with Daniel, and I am glad that I did. He has helped me to read waves, understand wave dynamics, tides, and has taken video footage of me that has moved my surfing forward to the point where I frequently catch more than 10 good waves in a session. I have had a lot of mediocre surf coaches who really miss where you need to make changes and don't offer solutions. I recommend booking multiple sessions with Daniel if you want to become a better surfer. I expect that by the time I have completed the book of lessons that i scheduled, my surfing will be on a completely different level than where I started. read more

James S.

5 years ago

I Highly recommend Daniel and Enjoy the Ride for surf coaching especially for beginners. This was my first time attempt at surfing and booked two lessons while on vacation in Carlsbad California. Daniel kept me up to date right up until the morning of my lessons on where we would meet and find the best conditions. Daniel brought a wetsuit and foamy board and was always on time. For my first time I was nervous but Daniel made it so much fun and very comfortable especially in the water. I only had two lessons but learned a lot about surfing and can't wait to come back and try it again. I Highly recommend Daniel for anyone looking to try surfing from San Diego to Oceanside CA Daniel is the guy to call. Thanks Daniel you made my trip! read more

Kwok H.

5 years ago

Daniel is an incredible surf and top notch. I took one surf school lesson prior to our first lesson and learned more with Daniel than I'd ever imagine. It was enough to get me confident to surf and catch waves on my own. He touched on basic surfing etiquette, reading the waves, and providing pointers I continue to use. He's a great instructor for beginners, but also those looking to get better and move onto the next level. I've taken a few lessons already and can't wait for the next one to improve my surfing skill. Not only is he there to help and always willing to answer (my many) questions, he makes every session fun and enjoyable. Highly recommend! read more

Negar N.

267

4 years ago

My husband wanted to learn to surf since I met him, so for his birthday I bought him 3 lessons with Daniel. After his first lesson he called me beaming with joy, he had the best time! He stood up on his board during his first lesson and even rode a couple waves. When I called to inquire about lessons Daniel got back to me quickly, it was easy to purchase lessons through his website and coordinate my husbands first session. Daniel is a total pro he knows all the things to keep his students safe, he's super knowledgeable, kind and attentive. I'm so grateful we found him! My husband is so happy with Enjoy The Ride, we've already purchased 6 more lessons! read more

Margaret H.

3 years ago

Absolutely fabulous experience! Daniel is a fantastic, highly professional, and patient instructor. He tailored a set of lessons for my friend and me (we are both beginners just learning how to surf) that was the perfect balance of hands-on and letting us be independent. We both got up on our first day thanks to Daniel's expert instruction! We will ABSOLUTELY be continuing our lessons with Daniel and look forward to building on what we have learned so far. I would give Daniel more than 5 stars if I could. I can't recommend him highly enough! read more

Andrew J.

4 years ago

Daniel is an excellent surf instructor. He's the best, and I've taken many lessons with several different instructors. He's more of a coach, and his talent is crafting a lesson for the individual. He helped me understand the nuances of reading waves in and out of the water. And offered helpful tips related to the finer points of etiquette and safety. Most importantly, he had valuable feedback for riding waves. Best of all, he's an all-around good guy with a positive attitude, and I enjoyed my morning with him in the lineup. read more

Carolina S.

4 years ago

Saying that Daniel is a great teacher is an understatement. It takes serious skill to be a teacher that is hugely helpful, receptive and positively impactful -- he offers all that and more. Not only is he this incredibly down to earth and warm hearted human, but he's also an exceptional teacher! He gave me the giidance, tools and feedback that I needed to allow me to embark on my surf obsession (I surf most days now). if you're wanting to commit to surfing, I HIGHLY suggest taking as many classes as possible with Daniel. read more

Josette L.

307

4 years ago

I couldn't have asked for a better surf instructor than Daniel! Daniel focused on invaluable skills like recognizing and reading waves, fundamentals of popping up, and positive constructive feedback along the whole lesson (in addition to him being a lovely human to spend 2 hours in the water with). His understanding of the ocean and ability to translate that into teaching helped me gain confidence quickly and truly enjoy my time learning to surf. I would highly recommend Daniel for anyone looking for surf instruction! read more

Ezra W.

5 years ago

Decided to give surfing a go and came across enjoy the ride website. Seemed like a smaller run operation and not as commercial which I figured I wanted. It was a great authentic experience and could not have asked for a better person than my instructor Daniel to push me into some waves and help me stand up. He guided me through the steps and provided the equipment that made me feel safe and excited to give it a try. Incredibly fun! Would highly recommend having a great southern California surf lesson from enjoy the ride. read more

Veronica A.

5 years ago

Daniel is an amazing surf instructor! He's so passionate about surfing and it shows through his dedication and time he puts into teaching me how to surf. He constantly has a positive attitude and has so much energy even during the early morning sessions. On top of that, he's super easy to communicate with and provides beginners with everything they need to start learning (boards, wetsuits, etc.) He's also been open to communicate about what type of wetsuit I should get and what boards would be best fit for me. read more

Sarah B.

4 years ago

I have taken lessons with a couple of surf instructors and Daniel is by far the best! He is detailed oriented during the lesson by teaching you surf safety, wave watching, body positions, and even style. Some instructors make you feel like you can surf by pushing you all of the time to catch the right wave but Daniel will give you skills that you will be able to catch waves even after the lesson! Not only is he great instructor but a lovely human being! Book a lesson with him, you won't regret it. read more

Lianna K.

5 years ago

If you're headed to San Diego, definitely consider booking lessons with Daniel! We had a really great experience in both our lessons. I strongly recommend him if you're interested in trying out surfing or have some experience. It was my first time and he was clear, didn't overload with info, and let me go at my own pace. My brother has surfing experience and he was able to provide lots of specific tips and advice. We both got a ton out of the two times we went out with Daniel. read more

Sean G.

5 years ago

Surfing with Daniel is a great experience. This guy has a ton of experience and passion which shows when you go out in the water with him. As a student he pushed us to think about the whole process and continually encouraged us to be more independent. Learning with Daniel felt like going out in the water with an old friend. Super friendly and fun to be around, 100% recommend learning with him. I can't wait to have my friends from the East coast to have a lesson with him. read more

Kevin M.

5 years ago

As a Canadian, surfing was always a dream that I never thought would become a reality. I'm living in San Diego to get away from the cold so I decide to give surfing a try. In my head I said, "don't get frustrated if you don't get up in the first lesson" - much to my surprise, Daniel had me riding my first wave after just failed attempts. I went 3/6 during my first lesson. Drop Daniel a line is you want to learn to surf, have a relaxed atmosphere and lots of laughs!! read more

Elizabeth G.

4 years ago

Daniel was such an amazing instructor! I'd never surfed in my life, I really went into the lesson way below beginner level and left feeling like a pro! Daniel started off going over safety rules and basics we practiced how to stand up on the board and hold our balance. He gave us many tips on how to navigate the board in the ocean. It was a lot of fun. We really learned a lot from him. He was attentive while out in the ocean we enjoyed the lesson 1000/10 recommend!! read more

Samantha H.

2 years ago

Daniel is my favorite surf coach in San Diego. He is extremely knowledgeable about the ocean and his positive attitude really adds to the experience for a super fun time. Not only does he help you catch waves, but teaches you how to read the ocean. Daniel has only ever taken me out when the conditions were just right, he knows exactly when and where to go at the right times. I highly recommend Daniel if you are looking to learn or improve your surfing abilities! read more

Katie F.

2 months ago

Daniel was responsive and easy to communicate and coordinate with and super friendly! I picked up a few really good tips from him and had a great time. I am mostly working on becoming more independent in the water--I've done lessons and surf camps but was still worried about going out by myself to work on things--and he definitely helped with some things like wave selection and timing. If I'm in the area again, I hope to do another lesson with him. read more

Jessica O.

3 years ago

My two brothers and I had SO MUCH FUN with Daniel during our surfing lesson. Daniel had some amazing tips and was super patient with all of us. As someone who had never even touched a surf board before, being able to actually stand and ride a wave was such an exhilarating experience and that's all thanks to Daniel! I would recommend him to all of my friends who have an interest in learning to surf. On my way to go buy my first board right now! read more

Mattie M.

309

4 years ago

Daniel is a wonderful instructor! He explained everything from beginning to end to us and we were both standing up and surfing and turning by the end of our hour and a half lesson!! We learned so much about reading waves and surf etiquette. We can't thank him enough I've been trying to surf for years and I finally did it! A bucket list checked off! Thank you Daniel! When we come back to Southern California will be back for another lesson!! read more

Kim S.

3 years ago

We had an incredible experience with the Daniel! We booked a 90m lesson for 2 kids ages 6 & 7. He was fantastic with kids, patient, and made the lesson fun. Despite the challenging high tide and rough waters, Daniel kept the kids energized and engaged throughout. His knowledge about the conditions was impressive, and we caught many great waves, making it the best first surfing experience for the kids. Highly recommended! read more

Enjoy The Ride Surf School - surfschools - Updated August 2026

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