Leucadia Surf School

(43 reviews)

0.1 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!

Fulcrum Surf

4.7

(80 reviews)

2.1 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)

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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Surfin Fire Surf School

4.8

(63 reviews)

2.4 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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Hang Zen Surf + Sea

(19 reviews)

2.1 mi

Scotty came highly recommended by my cousins who are Encinitas locals - their son took lessons…read morefrom him and knew he'd be the perfect fit for my 6-year-old son and me. And they were absolutely right! We had an absolute blast. It was our very first time surfing, and Scotty was incredibly thorough and attentive to my son, which I deeply appreciated as a parent. He kept the focus on safety while ensuring we learned a ton and shredded plenty of waves. We will definitely be back for more lessons with Scotty on our next trip up from Florida!

If you have no experience surfing you should get zen surfing instructor. If you have experience…read moresurfing you still should get zen surfing instructor. Honestly, hands down we had an amazing experience with Scott and the team learning how to surf. I have previously tried surfing twice and has since given up on idea to excel in the sport. I arrived to the lessons skeptical and honestly was there to support my partner who has been surfing for a bit now. Scott and his team implemented very personable and customized approach to each of our levels and within 30 minutes I was able to stand on the surfboard and catch small waves. By the end of the lesson, we moved to the ~real~ waves (idk they probably were small ones for professional surfers but I felt accomplished). If you told me that would've been result by the end of this class I would probably laugh in your face knowing how bad I was at surfing. Team of instructors here take their time to listen to all the concerns and create personable approach to each person. As a result my partner and I had very different (but nonetheless positive) experiences resulting in both of us enhancing on our surfing skills and abilities. We had a lot of fun learning, advancing and picking up right technic. I highly recommend this place and cannot wait to come back to learn more

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Concept Surf Shop

We had such a great experience with Concept Surf Shop and Uriel, surf instructor, this summer! We…read morebooked multiple private lessons with Uriel, and he was amazing. He was patient, encouraging, and did a great job explaining things in a way that really clicked with her. He created such a positive environment where she felt comfortable trying new things, making mistakes, and continuing to improve. By the end of the summer, she was more confident in the water and even more excited about surfing. We are so grateful for the time and effort he put into helping her grow, and we'll definitely be booking more lessons in future. Highly recommend!

Best place to rent boards in Encinitas. Walking distance to the beach. If you have friends coming…read moreto town, they also offer surf lessons, wetsuits, sunglasses, shirts, hats and dog bandanas.

Practicing pop ups before going in

Colin the instructor giving student Colin tips

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Maui Surf Academy

(24 reviews)

1.0 mi

My kids (ages 6 and 9) had a great experience at this surf camp. They will meet your kid where they…read moreare at and encourage them without any pressure. And the location is hard to beat...Highly recommend Maui Surf Academy!

Matt and his team (Baylee and Nathan you rock) are so fabulous!!! My oldest daughter was already…read more standing up on day 2 of 5! They kept the kids engaged and inspired to learn. Overall excellent customer service. We will be back next year!

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Kahuna Bob's Surf School

4.8

(4 reviews)

I took both group and even a few private lessons a few summers ago and loved them! I learned a lot…read moreand had tons of fun! The class size for the group lessons was always reasonable, the instructors were great, and the prices were fair ( I don't remember how much but it included the lessons, wetsuit, and board) Definitely would recommend Kahuna Bob's

A real coach who knows how to teach the techniques to get you surfing. Highly recommend. Will be…read moreback for more lessons from Kahuna Bob!

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SwimLabs Swim School

4.5

(60 reviews)

1.0 mi

My twins look forward to going to Swim Labs. One of my daughters was very afraid of the water, but…read moresince taking classes here we have seen so much improvement in her technique as well as her confidence. I would definitely recommend signing up with Swim Laps Trevino Family

SwimLabs has been our family's swim lesson destination for years. The coaches and staff are very…read morekind and accommodating. Our eldest started private lessons with coach Josh and coach Havana. They both helped him progress well in a short period of time. Our youngest is now with coach Josh who helped him transition from beginner to intermediate. Coach Josh is very patient. He understands the student's needs and tailors the lessons accordingly. Our youngest one also has private lessons with coach Kim for the past few months. She has been instrumental in getting him to relax and feel comfortable in the water. She makes the lessons fun and encourages him when he gets the strokes/kicks right. I would highly recommend coach Josh, coach Havana and coach Kim for their dedication and commitment in teaching kids how to swim.

SwimLabs Instructor teaching freestyle on "the bar"

Happy swimmers!

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Moonlight State Beach

4.5

(389 reviews)

0.1 mi

Beach is clean with a free parking lot just above. At the entrance there's a nice little…read moreplayground, a concessions stand with actual options beyond your standard hotdogs and burgers. We came on a cloudy day so it wasn't really crowded and we found free parking in the lot up the hill, just above the beach. The lifeguard station is right there so there was a sense of added safety as my kids learned to surf. Beach was clean, people were chill, and we'll def be back!

We came here as a family and really enjoyed it. I actually believe this beach was recommended to…read moreme, and it was everything they said it would be. The beach was nice and the water felt really good, not too cold, which made it even better. My daughter had a blast playing in the sand and just being free, and my husband loved it too, especially since it was his first time being in warm ocean water. We were able to find a spot that wasn't overly crowded, which made it feel even more peaceful and relaxing. Overall it was just a really good beach day and I would definitely come back.

Pork Platter from Beach Wolf.

Curry potato tacos from Beach Wolf.

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Look the Moon!

Jet Ski Rentals

4.0

(4 reviews)

11.2 mi

This "business " doesn't have a website and when you call the number provided your calls get…read moreforwarded, no pricing on any page

The staff was great. Pricing was great. And not a ton of paperwork. I'll definitely go back and…read morerent again soon

Electricity available , jet ski rentals location is the best

Lake Elsinore jet ski rentals

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Paddle boarding was fun also! not difficult at all , we also rented jet ski. It was fun also, I was a little scared,

Sugar Sweet Farm

(118 reviews)

Our son Cruz has been going to Sugar Sweet Farm since he was 6 years old. Last summer, as he was…read moreapproaching 12, we thought it would probably be his final camp season. We were wrong. He signed up again this year, and when we picked him up today, he couldn't stop talking about all the fun he had--just like he did when he was 6. Seeing that kind of excitement after all these years truly melted our hearts. Now, Cruz is already looking forward to becoming a counselor one day. Elizabeth, Farmer Bubba, and the entire team are simply the best. You've created a place where kids make memories that last a lifetime. Parents, if you're looking for an incredible summer camp experience, Sugar Sweet Farm is the place to be. Thank you for all the memories.

I brought my 16month old nephew to here. We had so much fun and had an amazing day here…read more Sign up and sign the prior visit. Lots of animals and activities for kids. Turtle, chicken, snakes, lizards , dogs, bunny, horses, rabbits.. etc For activities; play grounds, face painting, art class, play room I would definitely bring him here again.

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Coastal Kiddos

(18 reviews)

Our 5-year old really enjoys this camp. We signed him up for ski week and he had tons of fun during…read morea very rainy week. Coach Brooks is amazing! We get funded through San Diego Regional Center and she was really great in accommodating our request and even offered an additional week of Spring Break camp because our school district had a different timeline than the other coastal schools. Coach Brooks and Coach Zora introduced our kid to lots of fun activities such as building forts, tide pooling, building and flying kites, hiking the slot at Annie's Canyon, and even encountering rattlesnakes. This was such a great outdoor activity for our kid in a safe and supportive environment. Being an only child, his exposure to interacting with multi-aged kids has been a tremendous experience. Thank you, Coastal Kiddos, for helping us build one of our child's best core memories!

My son just attended two weeks of the tide pool camp and LOVED it!!! He was eager to go to camp…read moreeveryday and came home with a big smile. I originally signed him up for one week and then added the second one because he had so much fun. He loved exploring the tide pools and playing in the ocean. The owner Brooks was great with the kids and the other staff were amazing as well.

Hi I'm Brooks. I am an outdoor educator from La Jolla with over 8 years of experience working with children.

Son found these at camp

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Linda C.

21

8

0

13 years ago

My husband and I signed our Grandson up for one lesson last week. He was in town for six days and we really wanted him to spend time in the water. We opted for one day of surf lessons not knowing if he would like it. Gerry had him standing on his board by the end of the first lesson. We ended up cancelling everything else we had planned and just let him go to Gerry's surf school and catch waves. He had so much fun! The instructors were wonderful and very encouraging and we did not have to worry about wetsuits or boards. We did stay to watch the class and always felt that our child was safe. We love the way the school is run and how the lessons are set up. The students participate from the very beginning and they sure respect each other in the water. I would recommend this school for anyone. Thank you all so much for providing such a wonderful experience for a young boy. Oh, and the waves were all "10 footers" when he talked to his parents read more

Dave F.

0

2

0

13 years ago

I just spent the last week at a Leucadia Surf School surf camp, and I absolutely loved it (so much so that I'm writing my second ever yelp review). Let's get a little background here. I'm a big guy at 6'2" 230lbs. With in the first day, using Gerry's method I was standing in inside. Within three I was riding waves on the outside (though few and far between). I was really impressed with the way Gerry runs his school. You can tell that he genuinely wants everyone to have fun, and fall in love with surfing. Mission accomplished Gerry. The staff that he hires are all professional, and eager to give helpful tips that help you better understand the sport. All in all, if you're big or small, attend a Leucadia Surf School surf camp, and you're pretty much guaranteed to be a self sufficient surfer within a week. Ride safe read more

Chuck J.

4

2

0

12 years ago

Gerry, who owns this company, is the real deal! He helped us create memories we won't soon forget. I couldn't have asked for more. He started surfing well before it was cool and I love that knowledge and old school chilled out attitude. If you want to stand up in the first half hour, spend a couple hours with someone you felt you have known for years prior and walk away safe and well informed about surfing, this is the only surf school you need to call. read more

Regina O.

0

7

0

13 years ago

Absolutely the best surf camp on moonlight beach, my son did four days and had a ball, lots of instructors, lots of help it's all about surf, they get them up on the board so fast. There were other schools on the beach and leucadia surf school stood out so much as by far the best camp. Would recommend it to all my friends. Was totall impressed from start to finish. read more

Karly M.

0

10

0

12 years ago

I decided to take my mom and sister out for a fun activity to celebrate my mom's birthday. This did not disappoint! Gerry was a great teacher, very focused on safety, but also looking to make sure that we had a good time. The price was great, and I would recommend this to anyone. I would also love to get another lesson from Gerry. read more

Carol K.

0

1

0

14 years ago

I would highly recommend Gerry to anyone wishing to learn to surf. I walked away from a 2 hour group lesson with a great foundation to build on.. Gerry is not only extremely knowledgeable teaching skills and safety, I completed the lesson with confidence and enthusiasm for the sport. read more

Lana B.

3

4

0

12 years ago

My 11 year old son took his first surf lesson with Gerry. Had a great time and can't wait to get back on a board. Gerry is patient, thorough, makes sure everyone is safe and having fun. I definitely recommend Leucadia!!! read more

Leucadia Surf School - summer_camps - Updated August 2026

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Hang Zen Surf + Sea

(19 reviews)

Scotty came highly recommended by my cousins who are Encinitas locals - their son took lessons…read morefrom him and knew he'd be the perfect fit for my 6-year-old son and me. And they were absolutely right! We had an absolute blast. It was our very first time surfing, and Scotty was incredibly thorough and attentive to my son, which I deeply appreciated as a parent. He kept the focus on safety while ensuring we learned a ton and shredded plenty of waves. We will definitely be back for more lessons with Scotty on our next trip up from Florida!

If you have no experience surfing you should get zen surfing instructor. If you have experience…read moresurfing you still should get zen surfing instructor. Honestly, hands down we had an amazing experience with Scott and the team learning how to surf. I have previously tried surfing twice and has since given up on idea to excel in the sport. I arrived to the lessons skeptical and honestly was there to support my partner who has been surfing for a bit now. Scott and his team implemented very personable and customized approach to each of our levels and within 30 minutes I was able to stand on the surfboard and catch small waves. By the end of the lesson, we moved to the ~real~ waves (idk they probably were small ones for professional surfers but I felt accomplished). If you told me that would've been result by the end of this class I would probably laugh in your face knowing how bad I was at surfing. Team of instructors here take their time to listen to all the concerns and create personable approach to each person. As a result my partner and I had very different (but nonetheless positive) experiences resulting in both of us enhancing on our surfing skills and abilities. We had a lot of fun learning, advancing and picking up right technic. I highly recommend this place and cannot wait to come back to learn more

Moonlight Beach Surf Camps

(2 reviews)

Surf Camps for all ages! Instructors are so friendly and continue to work with you according to…read moreyour level. James is great. Kirk is great. I'm in the Adult Womens Camp/Lessons Program and Im loving life!

Great camp! My son had an amazing time. The instructors are very passionate about surf culture and…read moreinstructing. Best part of all, I was able to see my son surf a few waves during the friday surf contest they host at the camp. Now when I go to the beach we can paddle together.

SoCal Surf Lessons

(96 reviews)

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.

Maui Surf Academy

(24 reviews)

My kids (ages 6 and 9) had a great experience at this surf camp. They will meet your kid where they…read moreare at and encourage them without any pressure. And the location is hard to beat...Highly recommend Maui Surf Academy!

Matt and his team (Baylee and Nathan you rock) are so fabulous!!! My oldest daughter was already…read more standing up on day 2 of 5! They kept the kids engaged and inspired to learn. Overall excellent customer service. We will be back next year!

Whitlock Surf Experience

4.8

(189 reviews)

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!

Encinitas Surf Lessons

4.9

(176 reviews)

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!

Learn To Rip Surf Lessons

(63 reviews)

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.

Sol Surf Camp

4.4

(17 reviews)

Overall a great camp. The counselors are amazing. Nick C and Aiden where my kids favorite. The…read moregroups were small, 2 kids per consoler on average. Sasha, the owner was always responsive to any questions or feedback I had. My daughter got stung by a bee during camp and the Nick C, was so calm and handled the situation perfectly. I happened to be there so I was able to see and help. Nick carried her for me all the way to my car. However if I wasn't there I would be full confident she would have been taken care of. They also played some games with the kids and let them free play in the water and sand when when they wanted. But also encouraged them to surf. Both my kids were able to surf , by day two. I have a daughter and a son an both loved this camp. Ages 7 and 9. The only thing I would say is camp is actually over at 1:45 not 2, but that was so minor I didn't even mention it to Sasha. Its a long day at the beach and these instructors were amazing. We will for sure do this camp again next year. I highly recommend. Thank you SOL SURF!!

My 6 year old started surf camp again this year and was hesitant to get in the water, but Sasha and…read moreTristan and all the other counselors were patient and understanding and helped him overcome his fear. Now all he talks about is going back to Sol Surf Camp every day! It's great, when he's not surfing he's collecting shells and ocean creatures with the other kids. He wants to go all summer next year!

Luke Moore Shapes

(2 reviews)

Best private surf lessons in oceanside, I'd recommend Luke to anyone looking to experience surfing…read morefor the first time or become a better surfer. Luke has great knowledge of the best waves to teach beginners in Oceanside and is very friendly. You can tell he really loves what he does and it shows in the experiences of people who take his surf lessons.

I took my son to Luke for a surf lesson and I recommend him for any level of surfer whether your as…read morebeginner or experienced. I value his surfing experience and surfboard design experience. Go check it out you won't be disappointed!

Blue Paddle SUP