Private Surf Lesson in Los Angeles
Learn faster with your own private surf instructor
Duration
1 hour and 45 minutes
Includes
Board, wetsuit, instructor
Highlights
Get a personalized introduction to surfing with a dedicated instructor, solo or with friends and family. Build skills like wave selection, paddling out, and turning over one lesson or a multi-lesson package.
- Meet your private instructor for focused, step-by-step coaching
- Practice paddling, standing up, and riding waves with hands-on guidance
- Improve technique with tips on timing, etiquette, and tides
- Choose a multi-lesson package to build consistency and turning skills
- Surf for 1 hour and 45 minutes per lesson
What's Included
- Foam longboard
- Full-length wetsuit
- CPR and First Aid certified instructor
Things to know
Ages 5 and up. Gratuity is not included; tips are optional.
Cancellation Policy
Full payment due in advance; non-refundable. Cancel or reschedule at least 48 hours in advance to receive full credit; less than 48 hours gets no refund or credit. Operator may cancel if conditions are unsafe or minimum enrollments not met; then services are rescheduled or fully refunded.
FAQs
Wear a swimsuit under your wetsuit and apply waterproof sunscreen on your face before you arrive.
Bring a towel, drinking water, and your cell phone and other essentials.
No. There is no locked storage. Keep valuables concealed and place them in a safe spot among the gear since it is a public beach.
Meeting details
1 Bicknell Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90401. The lesson takes place on Santa Monica State Beach, on the sand south of the Santa Monica Pier. Parking is available at nearby lots including Parking Lot 3 (1750 Appian Way), behind Shutters Hotel. The location is also accessible by public transit.
More about the Santa Monica Pier
The Santa Monica Pier rises above the Pacific like a postcard come to life, its Ferris wheel turning slowly against the California sky as surfers carve through the waves below. This stretch of coastline, framed by the unmistakable silhouette of the Santa Monica Pier, is one of the most iconic places in the world to learn how to surf. The water here is forgiving, the sandy bottom is gentle, and the long, rolling whitewater waves break in a way that practically invites beginners to stand up and ride. Set against the backdrop of the Santa Monica Pier, your first surf lesson becomes more than a lesson, it becomes a memory tied to one of Southern California's most beloved landmarks.
Your private surf lesson takes place on the soft sand just steps from the Santa Monica Pier, where a certified instructor walks you through ocean safety, paddling technique, pop-up form, and wave-reading basics before you ever touch the water. With all the gear provided, including a soft-top longboard and wetsuit, you wade out into the same lineup that locals have been surfing for generations. The salt air, the cries of seagulls, the distant hum of the pier's arcade, all of it folds into the experience as you catch your first wave. Because the lesson is private, the pace is yours, whether you want gentle coaching or push yourself to ride unbroken waves farther out.
This experience is perfect for first-time surfers, families with kids, couples looking for a memorable date, and travelers who want a quintessentially Californian story to take home. Visitors staying near the Santa Monica Pier will appreciate how easy it is to walk straight from the boardwalk into the surf, and confident swimmers of all ages will find the conditions welcoming. Few activities capture the spirit of the coast quite like learning to surf within sight of the Santa Monica Pier.
