Laguna Ethos

(43 reviews)

0.5 mi

I've signed up my son, Dylan, for 5 private lessons with Instructor Travis…read more Travis is a wonderful Instructor with a lot of knowledges about surfing. Dylan has advanced from knowing a little bit about surfing to knowing a lot more about surfing. He is confident and comfortable now to surf on his own. He had so much fun surfing at the beach every weekend! Thank you California Surf Experience!! :)

What a great time! Got up my first try…read more Travis was helpful and knowledgable. Can't wait to do it again.:)

Semi private surf lesson! Super fun couple!

Group surf lessons family fun!

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DanSurf

(62 reviews)

0.1 mi

Dan is Great!!! First time we came it was my wife and me…read more She had a little previous experience and it was first time for me. I didn't become a pro but after about 1.5 hours I was able to catch and ride. My wife was doing even better. Few weeks later we came back with our friends and their 10 year old kids. Everyone enjoyed it a lot. The girl was a little hesitant at first but by the end of the lesson we couldn't pull her out of the water. Thank you Dan for a great lessons & vibe

Took my husband for a surf lesson with DanSurf and it was an amazing experience! Dan is personable,…read moresuper patient, and incredibly knowledgeable about surfing, the ocean, and the area. The 1:1 instruction was great, he had everything we needed--highly recommend!

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Laguna Beach Surf School

(7 reviews)

0.2 mi

My son took a Surf camp last summer with Laguna Beach Surf School and the first day (the typically…read morefearless) guy got worked so bad, he was afraid to return. I spoke with SlyDog the next morning, and throughout the rest of the week they really took his time with him. He ended up loving everything about the experience once he felt safe. There are a decent number of instructors in the water watching and guiding, and they do an outstanding job with the kids, he was surfing by the end of the second day, and had an absolute blast. I highly recommend these guys! This year he wants to master surfing and we're signed up for several back-to-back weeks. Counting the seconds!

Just wanted to shout out about the best time of our lives surfing…read more This could only happen with two of the best instructors we had the privilege to learn and enjoy surfing with. Day 1 was Piper and she was amazing not only with making us feel comfortable but taking the time to teach but also very knowledgeable and supportive. Day 2 was Cayla. To anyone out there that is nervous or skeptical about learning how to surf , well she was amazing not only with her knowledge but her very friendly demeanor and positive support. To all out there!!!! These girls will make you feel comfortable and most of all enjoy it and make memories forever . We travel a lot and do a lot of things like this with lessons in water sport. If you have any doubt about the cost or instructor or just have fun and LEARN.. This is the place and Piper and Cayla or the ones you want to fulfill your memories. NO JOKE, this is the place if you want to have fun and enjoy your vacation and pretend for a day that you can ‍ surf! Great pricing! Great Instructors! Top notch

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Blue Bus Surf Lessons

4.9

(43 reviews)

7.4 mi

Locally owned & operated

Certified professionals

Absolutely incredible experience! This surf school exceeded every expectation from start to finish…read more The instructors were patient, knowledgeable, encouraging, and made everyone feel comfortable in the water regardless of skill level. My son felt confident with Rich as his instructor. The equipment was great, the instruction was clear, and the entire experience and now my son has the confidence to go out on his own. If you're looking for a surf school that combines professionalism, positivity, and success, I recommend Blue Bus Surf Lessons. Highly recommend for kids, teens, beginners, families, or anyone wanting to learn how to surf.

Griffin and Todd made this such a fun experience. They were super attentive, encouraging, and eager…read moreto ensure we all had fun!

Grab your squad and let's learn to surf with Blue Bus Surf Lessons!

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Great vibes over here at Blue Bus Surf!

Soul Surf School

4.0

(13 reviews)

0.0 mi

I prepaid over $900 for camp weeks that were never provided and have not been refunded since August…read more2025. Multiple attempts to contact the owner, Karen, have been ignored with no resolution or communication. This has been an extremely frustrating and unprofessional experience. I strongly recommend not prepaying and proceeding with caution before booking

Awesome... if you have kids... send them! My Son enjoyed the…read moreovernight camp, made great friends and had a blast. No frills just good fun, good people and good times..

Group Surf Camp

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Soul Surf Team

Learn to Surf Laguna Beach

(8 reviews)

0.3 mi

Great experience, Eli was so helpful and chill. Would definitely book with him again!read more

This was our third lesson over the years and hands down the most helpful. John was patient and…read moreexplained the elements we needed to focus on without over complicating it.

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GoffTours

(50 reviews)

0.0 mi

I took my 17-year-old son to Laguna Beach for Spring Break where he wanted to learn how to surf…read more After checking various companies and reviews I came across Goff Tours and am SO happy I did. Goff made the entire experience AMAZING from start to finish. The way he explains how to surf guarantees success. My son was up and surfing on the first runs and just got better with each wave. Goffs' photo/video partner, Ann, was on shore taking videos. She used them to show/help him surf even better each time he went back in the water. This is an adventure he will never forget and he even has an amazing photo collection and a cool video to relive the experience. Hopefully, we will be back for more surfing and I'd book Goff, without a doubt! Thank you!

Great experience. Got all 3 kids up without any trouble on their first surfing lessonread more

Grace's Surfing, Lesson, in Laguna Beach, California 8-23-23

Miles surfing lesson in Laguna Beach California 7-24-23

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Surfing, Lesson in Dana, Point, California 9-4-23

Endless Sun Surf School

4.9

(120 reviews)

10.0 mi

Great experience with awesome instructors - patient, cool - exactly what you'd hope…read more I can say I've surfed after the experience

*****Perfect***** My…read moreyoungest is an avid swimmer in the pool and in the ocean. She swims and body surfs. She already had fins and knows the Newport and Laguna waters well. She even has done Laguna and Crystal Cove Junior Guards. However, she just wouldn't try surfing with me. So, I enrolled her in a private lesson. I spoke to Amy on the phone and she understood. She recommended Jorge because he has kids of his own. Jorge was great. Right away she hopped up and rode wave after wave. He was proactive at identifying good waves and giving her a slight push with verbal instructions. Afterwards, she kept asking me for a board and to go back surfing.. Even if you are a great surfer, there are many advantages of getting a lesson for your child. They have wet suits and giant foam boards. This saves money instead of going out and spending two or three hundred when your kid might not even like it. Using a larger board is the way to go and it eliminates the frustrations of learning on a shorter board. Jorge was great. He was proactive, engaging, and well versed with kids. I ended up buying a used foam board for her to practice more on. As she progresses, she can get a regular board This is a great place to take a lesson. Open communication and the follow-through makes me a fan and then some! Don't just go to the beach and take selfies to post. That behavior ruins the beach and it's a stupid way to live a fake life. Take a lesson and get in the water. Enjoy the ocean for all it has and have someone else take real pictures of you enjoying it! A nickel says you will have a blast Or, give your kids a great experience they will always remember. They make it easy here!

Learning to turn in surf class

Female student dropping into a wave during Summer Surf Camp!

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Wavehuggers

4.7

(293 reviews)

15.8 mi

Women-owned & operated

Kid friendly

I had my first ever surf experience today with Cady. She was super knowledgeable and helpful and…read morewas able to get me up and surfing and ride a wave all the way to the beach. There was a great community of surfers and everyone seemed to be having the a great time. Would definitely recommend and can't wait to go again!

This was our son first time taking a surfing lesson, and as an adult with special needs, he was…read moreanxious and nervous going into the session. We weren't sure how it would go, but coach Elliot made all the difference. He was incredibly patient, kind, and understanding of our son's needs. The first couple of attempts were tough- our son was nervous about riding the waves and facing the unknown. But coach Elliot never rushed him and offered steady encouragement the whole time. By the third try, everything changed- we saw a big smile on our son's face, thank you Coach Elliot for creating such a positive and supportive experience!

Instructor Quinn helps these awesome ladies catch their very first waves!

These bags are perfect for beach days and shopping! Post a photo of your lesson and tag @wavehuggers to receive yours!

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Another happy Wavehuggers' student.

Laguna College of Art & Design

3.4

(18 reviews)

1.8 mi

Choosing Laguna College of Art + Design was truly life-changing and remains one of the best…read moredecisions I've ever made. For a long time, I wasn't even sure if a creative career was feasible, let alone if I could support myself doing it. LCAD proved that it's not only possible but sustainable. One of the biggest draws for me was that LCAD is one of the most affordable accredited art and design schools in California. I never felt like I was sacrificing quality for cost. The education I received in the Design program was easily on par with competitors like Art Center, but with a much smaller price tag and a far more intimate environment. The industry connections here were so exciting to me. While I was still a student, I had the opportunity to work on projects with powerhouse brands like: Nike, Vans, Hurley, and the Anaheim Ducks. These aren't just names on a syllabus; they are real-world partnerships that prepare you for the workforce. When I graduated and entered the industry, I felt completely prepared because the classes were incredibly rigorous. People might think a school in a beautiful beach town is the "easy" choice, but I have never worked harder in my life. What really sets LCAD apart is the faculty. They don't just know your name; they care about your life. I saw this firsthand when a friend in the program was in a bad car accident. The Department Chair personally helped her navigate legal issues and created a custom plan so she wouldn't fall behind due to transportation hurdles. Years after graduating, I am still on texting terms with many of my professors. They are always ready to provide industry leads or advice. The location in Laguna Beach is stunning. Being able to slow down and enjoy the nature of the canyon provided a necessary balance to the high-intensity coursework. Not to mention the beauty and calm allowed for a constant source of inspiration for me. I left LCAD with a sharpened skillset, a career I love, and a group of best friends who are now my peers in the industry. If you are looking for a supportive, high-caliber, and industry-connected experience, this is it. I wouldn't change my time here for anything.

My daughter dropped out after a year and a half. It was a terrible experience. After graduating…read morefrom OCSA she was so excited for LCAD. It was just teachers that were professionals just trying to make an extra buck. And her IEP did not do her any good. The 6 hour classes were almost debilitating. And there were NO available counselors ever! This school drove her to depression and anxiety. Please don't send your children to this expensive school!

Graphic Design Student Work

Animation Light Table

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LCAD Students in Laguna Beach

Crown Valley Park

(59 reviews)

4.1 mi

We came to this park specifically for the splash pad. It's open from Memorial Day to Labor Day…read more It's a long park. Just keep driving on till you see the signs for the playground and splash pad. The splash pad has smaller splashers on one end good for younger kids and bigger slashers more in the middle and the other end. I was worried about my toddler going under the buckets because the water comes down with pretty heavy force. My kid accidentally went under it and he shockingly didn't get splatted down. It's convenient that the playground is right next to the splash pad. The kids had a great time and my son has asked to come back already. We didn't have issues with parking mid week but I can imagine it may be tight on the weekend.

Crown Valley Park has evolved over the past 30 years. What was once a simple building with a basic…read moregym has transformed into the modern age with updates that were needed. The summers are filled with summer concerts that allow families to come together and the community to enjoy music, foods from foos trucks. Fall welcomes the halloween haunts where kids make memories that last a life time. I really love hidden spots in the botanical gardens for flower lovers like me can go and just enjoy mother nature. The added butterfly garden and its butterfly chairs make it more special. The soccer fields are filled with kids and adults playing sports. The community center adds that final touch with rooms that can be rented for special events, meetings, and downstairs is access to the heated pool. 5/5 I have attended a few private events at the community center and its a great addition to the area.

Titans of Rock st the park, July 4th 2025

Lovely

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Gazebo

Fossil Reef Park

(46 reviews)

6.0 mi

Super cute park! I totally thought it was called dinosaur park because that's what I've heard…read morepeople call it for years. There are two levels to the actual playground space, and tons of grass fields to explore too. There is something here for every age/park skill level.

Pretty nice park! I love the educational and contextual signs throughout, and there are some pretty…read moreunique features, like fossils! And that bigger whale fossil - my kids loved climbing on it. The controllable water feature with the turtles is pretty cool too, and the boys enjoyed playing around in the sand, probably because it was one of the few areas with shade. I do wish there was more shade by the actual playground area. There's plenty of features here like slides, a bridge, a few sandy areas, small tractors, and more. Most families there were huddled in the shady area, so much of the playground was empty.

Slides from 2nd floor

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Treasure Island Park

(96 reviews)

2.1 mi

Beautiful California coastline with beach access. Come sitting low tide to view the tide pools. You…read morecan walk through the natural archway on the beach. You can see that pirate tower at Victoria Beach from here. There's a small parking garage and small outside parking lot.

A beautiful park by the Montage resort. There's a nice pathway with plenty of benches leading to…read morethe beach. There are places to take photos of the ocean. It sure is different than the mobile home park that used to be here.

Laguna Beach. PC: @younekgraphics

Lavender

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Aynsley B.

0

1

9

1 year ago

We had an amazing time with our six kids on the kayaking 1.5 hr adventure (13, 12, 11, 10, 8, & 7). The guides were incredibly easy-going and friendly. It was the first day for one of the guides, but it did not stop him from being incredibly helpful, and he kept our kids interested in the sea life. There were some great fun facts that we learned along the way. It's a trip I'm sure our kids won't stop talking about for a while. Reviews from the kids: "The directions were simple". "The stories were funny". "All the history made the tour more interesting". "I liked the bird poop rock". " read more

John D.

0

2

0

6 years ago

Best place to go to when you want to have some fun in the sun with knowledgeable and friendly instructors/guides. From nature hikes to kayak tours, Surf and SUP lessons and more! Laguna Ethos has the best prices and team of ambassadors/ guides in all of Laguna. Can't wait to be back. A MUST TRY WHEN YOU'RE IN LAGUNA BEACH! Wether on vacation from afar or just spending a day in Laguna I can't think of a better way to do it!!! read more

Cha C.

94

8

9

2 years ago

Justin was absolutely amazing! He was incredibly informative, experienced, and a lot of fun to be around. Safety was his top priority, and he did a fantastic job of guiding us in and out of the water. My friends and I had a wonderful time, even though it was our first time kayaking in the open ocean! I would highly recommend him for kayakers of all levels." read more

Kim P.

0

1

0

6 years ago

Jae and I booked a private kayak tour with Justin! It was the best time we had! Justin was so cute and he gave us the history of Laguna! I suggest if U have never been Kayaking Justin will make U feel safe! He is the best! read more

Stephanie E.

0

2

0

6 years ago

We had a blast surfing with Justin. We will be back!

Laguna Ethos - rafting - Updated August 2026

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La Vida Laguna

(146 reviews)

What an incredible experience overall! The owner Doug answered the phone at 8:30 AM and took our…read morereservation the same day we wanted to rent stand-up paddle boards! He was so nice and professional, and we did everything over the phone which rarely happens these days. I took my two grandkids and met him at the beach at noon. He introduced us to our guide Nick, who was fabulous! He made us feel safe and he was extremely knowledgeable. My grandkids loved him! My daughter texted me later in the evening, saying that they hadn't stopped talking about it. I will never use another fun rental company again. Thank you, La Vida Laguna for making me a memory etched in my mind forever‍‼

Charles did a wonderful job teaching my 12 year old how to surf. He was kind, attentive to her…read moreneeds and encouraging. The surf was a bit high and he made sure she was capable of handling it. He stayed with her the whole time making sure she was safe. I was impressed with how well he read the surf and kept her from the waves that were not suitable for a novice. Aubrey, my niece, was apprehensive about going, but when it was over she was very positive about all of the experience, especially the teacher. Hats off to La Vida Laguna

Newport Beach Surfing Lessons

4.5

(19 reviews)

Renting wetsuits was a new experience for me and my girls. Newport surf school was awesome! we…read morecan't wait till come back. Thanks Sean and Kelsy.

Myself & my 10 year old daughter thoroughly enjoyed our 2 hour surf lesson we recently had. Mason…read morewas great with both of us and had both of us standing on waves by the end of our lessons. Thank you Mason, The Saldivars

Learn To Surf

(72 reviews)

First time surfing! Dave was great at teaching us the fundamentals and helping us to get on the…read morewaves! We were able to stand on the board and ride the waves The location is great for beginners to learn. Overall a great experience Parking is street parking so give yourself enough time to find a spot.

I booked surf lessons and clearly communicated three times that I am an intermediate surfer, which…read moremeans the instructor needed to bring an appropriate surfboard. Instead, he arrived with one that had a broken leash and spent 90% of the time going back to shore, leaving me without instruction. This was beyond frustrating and completely unprofessional. To make matters worse, the merchant promised to take pictures during the session for two hours. She showed up late, despite the sky being clear and bright 30 minutes before the lesson was set to start. In the end, she only took photos for half an hour and never sent them to me despite my constant reminders. This experience was a total disappointment and an absolute waste of time and money. I would never recommend this service to anyone. The merchant was also being racist, and accusatory. I have the recording if anyone is interested. Overall, just stay away to keep your insanity. Many other surf schools in Huntington and I trust there are many other non racist people.

Lido Paddle Sports

(141 reviews)

I recently spent a perfect afternoon kayaking in Newport Beach, and I have to say, the experience…read morewas top-notch from start to finish. We rented from Lido Paddle sports and everything exceeded my expectations. If you're looking for a fun, relaxing way to enjoy the ocean, this is it! The views are what make Newport Beach shine! Paddling out from the harbor under that endless California sun was magical. Crystal-clear blue waves, and panoramic sights of the coastline with luxury yachts moored in the harbor. The sunny weather amplified everything--warm but not too hot, with a gentle breeze keeping things comfortable. Whether you're solo, with friends, or family, it's an easy recommendation for anyone visiting sunny Newport Beach. Just book ahead during peak season!

Top-notch service that is both easy and convenient. Today was an absolute blast!…read moreI did the day pass, but they offer monthly memberships too. Accepts Zelle

Southwind Kayak Center Rental Base

(227 reviews)

Robert was incredibly informative and kind. Anytime we have family visiting. This is the only…read morerental we will choose.

Pricing is fair, and they don't start your time until you go into the water. We've been here once…read morebefore and had a great time, which is why we figured bringing some friends out to celebrate a birthday would be worthwhile. However, the customer service we experienced put a damper on the celebration. We brought a group of 14 on a Saturday afternoon and were told we needed to call ahead of time for a group larger than 8. Nowhere on their website or Yelp indicates a reservation is required for a group larger than 8. In fact, their website states walk-ins are welcome, but groups of 20 or more require a reservation. I'd recommend updating your website if the reservation requirements have changed. The guy at the counter pointed at their graveyard of broken kayaks as an excuse despite not even asking whether we wanted to paddle board or kayak. He stepped aside to call the owner about our large group and eventually okayed us to use their rentals. When we told him most of us wanted to paddle board and we needed only 2 tandem kayaks, he admitted he assumed we each wanted single kayaks--which he would have had to bring down to the water. It sounded like he was too lazy to bring single kayaks out for all of us, but we would have gladly helped if he had asked. Lucky for him, the paddle boards and kayaks we needed were already ready by the water for us. He made a big deal out of nothing. We did enjoy our time out on the water and brought back the rentals an hour before close. However, we all were very turned off by the customer service we received and will likely look for a new kayak/paddle board rental place to bring our business to. This experience definitely did not leave a good first impression to our friends who had not been here before.

Pirate Coast Paddle Company

(374 reviews)

We were looking for a couple of gently used boards to purchase, so I called the business to ask if…read morethey did that. I was told to email the owner, Mark. He responded almost immediately with some options. We swung by and got a look at what he had and were paddling home with our new-to-us boards in no time and with ease. Mark and his employees were very nice, accommodating and knowledgeable and we got a great deal on two SUPs!

They were awesome helping with our group of 12+ people. Very friendly and fun. Great location with…read moreminimal current in the cove.

Goodvibesurf

(5 reviews)

Kelin is AMAZING instructor and very chill, laid back vibes. He was patient with us and…read moreencouraging. We had a lot of fun learning the basics of surfing and enjoying the experience throughout. The location is clean, chill and the other people surrounding are also beginners and very friendly/ supportive. We'll definitely book with him again and recommend him to anyone trying to just get out in the water and learn. The price is very reasonable as well. 5 starts!!!

Kelin is very instructive, patient, and always encouraging! I've taken two classes with Kelin and…read morealready took my friend to take her first class with Kelin. Great experience and I'd totally keep recommending Kelin to my friends. Super reasonable prices and trust me you will stand up on your first time with Kelin's classes.

Newport Aquatic Center

4.5

(214 reviews)

I visited the Newport Aquatic Center for the second time this past weekend for a friend's birthday…read moreand had another great experience! The kayak and paddleboard rentals are affordable, and signing the waiver online beforehand makes check-in quick and easy. The water route is beautiful and scenic. Just be mindful of the shallow grassy areas, as my paddleboard fin got stuck a couple of times. I'd also recommend bringing hand sanitizer or tissues, since the bathrooms were occasionally out of soap or toilet paper. If you can, use the restroom inside the Aquatic Center building instead. Overall, it's a fun, scenic spot that's open year-round, and I'd definitely recommend it!

This review is NAC adjacent, as my friend and I didn't directly use their equipment since we…read morebrought our own. We saw many happy folks paddling in their water craft though, and large groups who, I'm assuming, went out on tours. We saw plenty of teams coming and going who keep their equipment there. Their restrooms are located on the side of the building and are open to the public. The reason we came to NAC is that they offer a perfect launch spot for paddle sports. This area of Newport Back Bay is very calm and leads into the estuary. It's a beautiful place to paddle, with abundant bird life and waterfowl, as well as "flying" fish, and no doubt an abundance of marine life below the surface. Besides being a launch point, many families with young children also appreciate the calm water here. The area between beach and boundary can be swum in and is quite shallow. As a side note, once out on the water beyond this boundary, one cannot swim or exit their paddle craft. There is a parking lot for NAC but there's also a large dirt lot for visitors, for the amazing price of $0! Great access, beautiful wetlands, calm waters...this is a perfect place for all types of paddlers, nature enthusiasts, and families looking for a quieter alternative to the beach.

Clint Carroll Surf School

(183 reviews)

Fantastic Surf School! They got my son and his friend in for a last minute surf lesson today which…read moremade our beach day so fun and special...James was our instructor and he is so kind and amazing! Both the boys learned so much during their lesson and were already catching some waves....thank you so much!! :D

I got a lesson for my son. Clint was very responsive in getting the session set up. Start to…read morefinish was easy and well coordinated. The price was very reasonable for a two hour private session. My son had a great time. Hayden was his instructor. He was a great guy. Very patient and encouraging. I would highly recommend Hayden and this surf school if you are looking for lessons.

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