North County Surf Academy

(187 reviews)

0.8 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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Oceanside Surf School

(9 reviews)

1.5 mi

Brought my grands (ages 4-17) here for my grandma camp. Each age group had their own instructors…read more A wonderful time was had by all. The instructors worked well with the short attention spans the youngest kids had, as well as being patient with the tweens and teens. A fun family day.

Matthew was an awesome instructor for my husband and 8 yo son's first time surfing. He was very…read morekind and reassuring to my son who hadn't ever surfed and he made surf to keep an eye out for him while he was in the water. He got both of them up and surfing in to shore within thirty minutes. I watched the whole time and it was obvious he was keeping an eye out for both of them, swimming over to my son when he couldn't quite make it through the waves on his own. He was so encouraging and knowledgeable and they both had a great time learning from him. I would recommend this surf school to anyone wanting to teach their kids to surf.

Family surf lessons happening now in OCEANSIDE CALIFORNIA

Catch a new wave in 2026 with Oceanside Surf School

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Make a bucket list moment today at Oceanside Surf School!

Surfin Fire Surf School

(60 reviews)

0.7 mi

My granddaughter has been wanting to learn how to surf but I had safety concerns. After some…read moreresearch Surf Fire stood out as a great option to get her into the water, and we are thrilled with our choice! Alysandra was kind, knowledgeable and kept Persephone safe the entire time. Kid got up on her first try! I highly recommend this place and plan on coming back when we can. Fran from Arizona

My adult son and I did the 1.5 hour semi-private learn to surf. It included the wetsuit, long foam…read moreboard and instruction. The instructor (Babsy?) was attentive and provided the right cues when we needed them. We tried with a YouTube video and some loaner boards on our own the day before -- but this experience was night and day different. One of us was up unassisted and the other with some assist by the end of the lesson. Nice!

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Learn To Rip Surf Lessons

(61 reviews)

0.1 mi

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

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

Best beginner-friendly surf lessons in Oceanside, CA

Learn to rip like local Oceanside legends

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Happy Surfer

San Diego Surf School

(350 reviews)

28.7 mi

Courteous and great staff, amazing, smart instructors, fun and safe learning surf experience!read more

I was really disappointed with our experience at San Diego Surf School. My husband and I booked a…read morebeginner surf lesson because we had never surfed before and wanted to learn the fundamentals from a professional instructor. Unfortunately, that isn't what we received. Our instructor told us he was just visiting from out of town, and it felt like he wasn't prepared or invested in teaching. To start he was late, when he did show up we received very little instruction before going into the water and were never taught many of the basic skills that beginners should learn, including proper paddling technique, how to pop up on the board, or even how to safely fall off the board. As beginners, that was especially concerning because safety should be the top priority. Once we were in the water, we were practically left on our own. Instead of receiving coaching, corrections, or guidance throughout the lesson, we were left trying to figure everything out ourselves. We paid for a surf lesson, not just a board rental. After the lesson, I reached out to the owner to explain our experience. To their credit, they responded promptly and admitted that our lesson was not taught according to their beginner curriculum. They explained that beginner lessons are supposed to include ocean safety, surf etiquette, how to safely fall, paddling technique, popping up, and active coaching throughout the lesson, all of the things we expected but didn't receive. However, the resolution they offered was only 50% off another lesson. While I appreciate the acknowledgment that our lesson fell below their standards, I don't think it's reasonable to ask customers to pay again even at a discount to receive the instruction they already paid for the first time. They also mentioned that they couldn't offer a complimentary lesson because they wanted to ensure their instructors were fairly compensated. As a customer, I believe it's just as important that clients receive the quality of service they paid for. We chose this school because of its great reputation, which made this experience even more disappointing. Hopefully this was an isolated incident, but I think future beginners should know that our experience was far from the comprehensive lesson that was advertised.

San Diego Surf School operates in two locations: Pacific Beach and Ocean Beach, to make surfing your favorite thing to do

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Encinitas Surf Lessons

4.9

(177 reviews)

12.2 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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Surf Ride

Family-owned & operated

49 years in business

Justice at the front is a g. SR is always the local go to. I love surf rideeeeeeeeeeeeeeread more

Surf Ride has definitely been a staple for my family for years. We love coming in to check out new…read moreboards, wetsuits, clothes, etc. While prices may be high on clothing items, they tend to have decent deals on boards, wetsuits, and surfing gear in general. They have a lot of variety which makes it such a great surf shop to check out. It's really easy to find parking on the side of the building in their lot and/or street parking. Their customer service is great as well as they always greet us, ask us if we need any help, and also help when we do have questions. Everyone is really kind and helpful honestly. Makes shopping here such a good experience.

Best Summer Camp IN SAN DIEGO!! Located at the North Jetty in the Oceanside Harbor.

Huge selection of boards

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Best Summer Camp IN SAN DIEGO!! Located at the North Jetty in the Oceanside Harbor.

Marks Surf Instruction

3.8

(5 reviews)

0.9 mi

Our girls had a great time, were in the water after 15 min and up on their boards not long after…read morethat! Friendly and great instructor. They're ready to rent boards and practice again tomorrow !

I had a hard mom week and had to reschedule due to my oldest needing a covid test. Then after…read morerescheduling I confused the time (my fault). Texted Mark and his only response was to recommend someone else. A two word text. Kept my $60 and nothing else back. Sad that having a bad week caused him to write us off. I would have paid for another session and let him keep the $60 for me missing the session. During these times some of us need a break. Especially when getting our kids out and about as we are allowed.

Families and Groups have a great time learning to surf together.

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SoCal Surf Lessons

(95 reviews)

3.9 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!

My 12 year old daughter wanted surfing lessons this summer and we looked into several different…read morecamps but SoCal seemed to be the right fit for us. I'm so happy we ended up with Rusty and his team! The whole experience was so fun. Everyone was so patient and attentive to all the kids needs. We will definitely be signing up again with Rusty. I highly, highly recommend SoCal Surf!

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Hello Kiddie Daycare

4.9

(39 reviews)

5.9 mi

Misty n Blanca are awesome care takers of my children.My children don't want to leave since they…read moreenjoy being with them. The quality time my children get from the Misty n Blanca do an awesome job.I encourage to get a tour from Misty(The Owner))does an courageous job.They offer arts n crafts, celebrating kids birthday with all the children. My wife n I greatly appreciate there's no surcharge if we are late. The price can't beat the price compared other facilities around the area Keep up the Great Work Misty n Blanca.

We absolutely love this in-home daycare! From the moment we walked through the door, we felt…read morewelcomed and at ease. The environment is warm, clean, and inviting--just like a second home. It's clear that Misty and Blanca genuinely cares for every child, creating a nurturing and safe space where little ones can learn, play, and grow. My eldest daughter went to Hello Kiddie for 3 years and my second child has been there for a year now. Both of our girls blossomed since starting here. They come home every day excited to tell us about the books they've read, the songs they've sung, and the fun activities they've done. We're also so impressed with how much they've learned--everything from early literacy and numbers to sharing and social skills. They even learned a little bit of Spanish! The small group size allows for lots of personal attention, and we've noticed how well the provider knows our child's personality, needs, and milestones. Communication is excellent--we get regular updates, photos, and honest feedback that helps us stay involved. They are also super amazing with helping with potty training. If you're looking for a loving, reliable, and enriching daycare, this is it. We're so grateful to have found such a wonderful place for our child to grow and thrive!

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Highland Preschool

(53 reviews)

4.0 mi

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

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

Our art area with giant chalkboard wall

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Discovery Preschool

(43 reviews)

2.0 mi

Family-owned & operated

Discounts available

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

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

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Discovery Preschool

(8 reviews)

9.6 mi

Locally owned & operated

Family-owned & operated

Always the best, cant say enough about Discovery in Vista…read more Caring staff that goes above and beyond! Check them out!

Great location. A lot newer than the other location, so everything looks brand new still. Teachers…read moreare all great, and our little girl loves it there!

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Gaby’s Daycare

(5 reviews)

4.7 mi

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.

Our family loves Gabby. My son flourished while in her care from ages 1-3. She is warm, open and a…read moregreat communicator. From water days and garden exploration to special celebrations and fundamental learning, we're really going to miss her with preschool on the horizon. I highly recommend Gabby's childcare services.

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Kids Castle Day Care

(22 reviews)

9.3 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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Buzy Beez Preschool Daycare

(3 reviews)

7.7 mi

This has been by far the best daycare my son has been to . We have gone through a lot of daycares,…read moresuch as Kindercare, base care , in home cares and none have measure up to the care Buzy Beez Preschool Daycare has provided for our son. I didn't like in home daycares but Buzy Beez has been the greatest ! Our son is a one year old and with in a couple of weeks of our son starting here, he had learned how to say different words in English and in sign language. They have school schedules for the kids and such a great loving environment. I've never felt so reassured that my son is in great hands while I am at work/school. Over all, 100!

BEST OF THE BEST! Both of my granddaughters went to Buzy Beez. They go way above and beyond for…read moreevery child, from celebrating and making their birthdays extra special to special events and holidays extraordinaire! Both of my granddaughters were ahead when entering the school system and Buzy Beez played a big role in preparing them. The owners/operators are some of the best Christian people we have met here in California and we all still remain friends and they still are involved in our lives. We are also so grateful to them for the care and love shown. Thank you & God Bless each and everyone @ Buzy Beez!

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The Learning Experience - Oceanside

(24 reviews)

6.0 mi

We have nothing but good things to say about TLE Oceanside. Our son started in May of 2025 as a 3…read moreyear old who had only been with family prior to and was expecting a little brother in June of 2025. The staff was so welcoming during our tour, they made us feel at home. Since, we have developed some amazing relationships with everyone! They have been flexible with our schedule changes. You do not have to fit into a cookie cutter schedule, ours went from M, Th, F to 5 days a week. They have early drop off (at 7AM) and pick up as late at 6PM! There was a leadership change recently and the staff handled it amazingly. The New Director, Ms. Suzette, is so on top of it, she is super approachable, gives us multiple notices about upcoming events so we don't miss out and has even started a Teacher of the Month program. For a group of people who already had great morale, she has made the team even stronger! Our son is very kind and somewhat timid when you first meet him. Ms. Kylee has made him feel confident and comfortable trying and doing new things. Watching him grow in her class has been amazing! He has come home using sign language, singing songs, teaching us how to do yoga and so much more. She even helped us on his potty training journey! When we do things as a family on the weekend, he always says he wants to tell Ms. Kylee when he goes back to school "tomorrow". Even the owner, Ms. Segal, has taken the time to get to know us and has really helped us get comfortable quickly. As a busy mom herself, she has so much patience and understanding when it comes to making sure our babies are taken care of. When choosing a school, we read reviews. TLE was regarded as family friendly and I couldn't agree more! They hold multiple family activities throughout the year from Ice Cream Socials to Foam Day to Trunk of Treat to Ornament Decorating.. I honestly feel we are getting what we pay for and that means something these days!

Our children have attended TLE since June 2025. My son started when he was 1.5 years old and his…read moreteachers have all been amazing (shout out to Miss Jazmine). My 6 month old daughter started 2 weeks ago and she has never been able to take a bottle so that was a concern with her starting daycare. Miss Brandi has been so great and patient with my daughter and has been a miracle worker getting my daughter to take the bottle. I feel so lucky that I know both my children are well-cared for at TLE!