9 Best Spots for Surfing in San Diego for Beginners (2024)
In San Diego, surfing is undoubtedly one of the most popular activities to enjoy, even for beginners. From the adrenaline rush you get while taking off to the exhilarating feeling that overcomes your body as you glide across the wave. It’s no surprise that the San Diego beaches call surfing enthusiasts from all over the world.
That being said, navigating the sport in a city as massive as San Diego can be difficult and quite intimidating. Not to mention, it takes a great amount of time, effort, and perseverance to see improvement. To help you start your surfing journey on the right foot, here are the 9 best spots for surfing in San Diego as a beginner!
Can Beginners Surf in San Diego?
When people think of surfing, some top places that usually come to mind are Indonesia, Portugal, Tahiti, and San Diego.
Thus, it’s no secret that San Diego is one of the best places in the world to come and surf. Knowing this, you may be wondering if beginners are welcomed or if San Diego is geared toward more experienced surfers.
The short answer is yes — beginners can surf in San Diego! As someone who was once in your very shoes, just starting my surfing journey, there is almost no better place than San Diego to learn to surf.
With an abundance of beautiful beaches and various surf breaks, each with its own atmosphere and level of difficulty, there’s something for every surfer in this California city.
Plus, San Diego’s average temperature of 65 – 70°F year-round and over 300 days of sunshine a year means that you’re practically guaranteed perfect weather no matter when you surf! And San Diego isn’t too difficult to navigate around, even if you have a board in tow!
How Do You Know if a Beach Is Good to Surf?
When deciding what the best beach for surfing in San Diego is for you, there are a few key things you’ll want to consider.
- 🌊 Look at the Swell: You’ll want to head somewhere that has easy, gentle waves. Nothing steep or that’s receiving a lot of incoming ground swell (think how waves are bigger after storms). One thing I always recommend doing to determine if the surf conditions are right is checking the daily surf report.
Find the exact break you’re considering, and look at the surf forecast before you leave. For beginners, you’ll want to go when waves are registering as 1-3 feet. Anything larger could be overwhelming and possibly dangerous if you don’t have a lot of experience. - 🌊 Find a Beach Break: When checking the surf report, there’s typically a section that describes the surf break. As a newer surfer, you’ll want to learn to surf in San Diego on a beach break. Essentially, this means the waves are crashing because of shallow sand banks as opposed to hitting rocks or reefs (reef breaks).
- 🌊 Is There a Lifeguard: If you’re new to surfing or aren’t comfortable swimming in the ocean, be sure to go to a beach that has a lifeguard on duty. They can help you if you’re in danger, and they often alert surfers when the conditions are no longer safe to surf.
- 🌊 You Want an Easy Approach: This means you don’t have to hike with your board down the side of a cliff or bluff to reach the beach. You can typically Google search a beach and find out this information along with the beach’s parking situation.
- 🌊 Free Showers: It’s nice to go to a beach that offers free showers. This helps with rinsing the sand and saltwater off your body and surfboard.
9 Best Spots for Surfing in San Diego for Beginners (2024)
Now that you know what to look for when selecting a beach, here are the 9 best spots for surfing in San Diego as a beginner!
1. La Jolla Shores
If you’ve ever been to San Diego, you’ve likely heard of the stunning La Jolla. This neighborhood is home to one of the best spots for beginners to surf in San Diego: La Jolla Shores! La Jolla Shores is a fantastic place to learn to surf in San Diego for a multitude of reasons.
First, the waves produced along this mile-long stretch of beach are pretty consistent all year long and relatively gentle. Most of the time, you can expect waves that are about waist-high (2-3 feet), which is perfect for those just starting out. You won’t really come across heavy crushing waves unless there’s a particularly large storm that’s just come through.
La Jolla Shores is also a beach break, which means that it’s very forgiving and easier to get back out there if you wipe out a few times. No having to worry about hitting large rocks or any reefs on the floor. Just be mindful of the occasional sea critters, like stingrays!
In terms of crowds, the beach is a popular one, so you’ll notice a decent amount of beach-goers and surfers from sunrise till sunset. The local surf schools are usually out there on the weekends with their colorful foam boards.
As such, be sure to be mindful of other surfers and people in the water. La Jolla Shores is fairly spacious in terms of ocean real estate and has many breaks, so don’t feel like you need to stay grouped with other surfers. In fact, I recommend spreading out to give yourself room for error and avoid having to compete for waves!
Another positive to La Jolla Shores is that the beach has year-round lifeguards as well as bathrooms and shower facilities available for use on the main walkway.
La Jolla Shores Approach
La Jolla Shores has an easy approach. There is one large parking lot off Camino Del Oro and plenty of nearby street parking. I recommend getting there early in the day if you want a chance at parking in the lot. But if you don’t mind walking for 5 – 10 minutes, you might consider parking on the street to avoid the chaos of the parking lot.
2. Scripps
Like La Jolla Shores, another beginner-friendly surf spot in San Diego is Scripps. This surf spot is located just down the road from La Jolla Shores and is directly in front of the well-known Scripps Institute of Oceanography.
The waves at Scripps are pretty reliable and fun all year long. During the summer months, Scripps has 2-3 feet waves that are ideal for beginners. In contrast, the rest of the year sees slightly larger waves, which is why Scripps is often considered better for beginner to intermediate surfers.
When it comes to crowds, there’s typically a decent amount of people at Scripps from early in the morning till sunset. You’ll also usually find that there are more surfers than people lounging on the beach, except during the summer.
Unlike La Jolla Shores, Scripps features the Ellen Browning Scripps Memorial Pier, which splits Scripps into the North side and the South side.
The North side of the pier typically has fewer surfers and the waves tend to be a bit smaller. For this reason, you might be more comfortable learning how to surf on the Northside of the pier.
Meanwhile, the South side has more breaks available, but there are usually more experienced surfers in the area. Therefore, you’ll want to steer clear of the more advanced surfers at Scripps as they can be territorial.
Aside from great waves, Scripps has one lifeguard tower in the area as well as a shower area available near the entrance to the pier. There are no bathrooms on the beach, but you can use the bathroom at Caroline’s Seaside Cafe if you really need to.
🌴 SIDE NOTE: If you’re looking for a place to eat in the area, Caroline’s serves delicious breakfasts and lunches! It’s literally my favorite spot to eat at post-surfing, and my favorite brunch spot to recommend! Here is Caroline’s menu if you’re interested 🙂
Scripps Approach
Similar to La Jolla Shores, Scripps has a fairly straightforward approach. There’s no designated public parking lot, but there’s plenty of residential street parking.
Once you find your parking spot, walk towards the intersection of Kennel Way and El Paseo Grande. You’ll see two large paid parking lots meant for students and faculty, so don’t park there unless you want to pay or get a ticket. At the intersection, you’ll see a path that leads to a short concrete staircase that will take you directly to the beach!
NOTE: If you are looking to take lessons in surfing, UC San Diego offers recreational surf classes at Scripps. They are available to both students and the general public.
3. Del Mar
Located in the northern part of San Diego, Del Mar is another local favorite that can be an awesome surf spot for beginners to practice at.
Here, the waves can definitely vary in size, especially if there’s an incoming swell from a storm. Thus, be sure you check the surf report before you head out. If see anything 3 feet or less, then it’s a great time for beginners to go!
The waves are always fun, relatively easy to catch, and can provide a long ride when the conditions are right. Plus, Del Mar is a beach break, so no worries if you fall down once, twice, or 20 times! You’ll also want to keep your eyes on the lookout for seals as they often frequent the area and might swim by to say hello!
Another great thing about Del Mar is that there are tons of different breaks to choose from. This means that even on days when the waves are crowded, you can usually find a spot where there’s low competition, and you won’t get in the way of anyone.
The one downside of Del Mar is that there is no designated parking lot for beachgoers. This means you have to park on the street and walk to the beach. It can be a bit of a hassle, especially on days when the waves are pumping or if it’s the weekend or a holiday.
That said, if you don’t mind walking a few minutes to the beach, then Del Mar is worth checking out!
Del Mar Approach
As mentioned earlier, the approach is simply parking on one of the surrounding streets and walking to the beach. To avoid having to walk long distances with your board, I recommend trying to park near 15th Street.
This is pretty much as close as you can get without having to pay for parking. You’ll still have to walk a few minutes to reach the ramp from Seagrove Park to the beach, but it’s much more doable if you aren’t parked at 11th or 12th Street!
🌴 SIDE NOTE: If you’re looking to grub after surfing, there are lots of great food places along the Camino Del Mar. My friends and I enjoyed tasty burritos and Mexican food at En Fuego Cantina & Grill!
4. Fletcher Cove at Solana Beach
A few minutes north of Del Mar is Fletcher Cove at Solana Beach. This surf spot is a little smaller and more intimate compared to every other beach I’ve described.
Visitors can expect mellow waves that are easy to catch year-round, even for the newest of surfers. That being said, if you need anything, there are lifeguards on duty at the beach.
Aside from the waves, Fletcher Cove also features a kids’ playground, a little park with a small grassy area, plenty of picnic areas, a half-court basketball court, and some cool public art installations. There are also clean public bathrooms and free cold showers available if you want to rinse off after your surf sesh.
All in all, Fletcher Cove is a great surf spot in San Diego for beginners looking to avoid heavy crowds but still have fun on the waves.
Fletcher Cove Approach
One of the best parts of choosing to surf at Fletcher Cove is that there’s plenty of parking. Visitors will find a small parking lot nearby as well as lots of easy street parking available in the area. From there, you’ll need to walk down a relatively steep ramp to reach the beach.
5. San Elijo State Beach
About 30 minutes north of La Jolla is one of my favorite beginner surf spots, San Elijo State Beach. This is the beach where I initially learned how to surf at while growing up, so I have lots of fond memories of surfing here!
The beach extends for 2 miles along the California coastline and is located right next to Historic Route 101.
Beginner surfers can expect tame waves that typically range from 1 – 4 feet year-round. Once again, there are those larger days after a storm, so just be sure to check surf conditions before you head out.
In terms of the type of break, San Elijo State Beach is a beach break that’s perfect for beginners or intermediate surfers to practice on. The only thing to note is that when it’s super low tide, the rocky part of the ocean floor can sometimes become exposed. There aren’t a bunch of tiny rocks, but rather most of the ocean floor is a giant rock with little inlets.
When this happens, you’ll want to be mindful of your board fins scraping the floor and watch your footing.
On most days, if you go in the morning before 11 am, you’ll see lots of older guys surfing there as part of the morning dawn patrol. Meanwhile, the beach tends to clear out during the afternoon when the waves become less clean. However, once it hits about 4-5 pm, the post-work surfers flock to the beach.
Luckily, if you happen to go when it’s crowded, there are numerous surf breaks to pick from. Bathrooms and showers are available for use in the connected campground. Thus, whether you’re considering getting on a surfboard for the first time or honing your surfing skills, San Elijo State Beach is a great choice.
San Elijo State Beach Approach
Compared to the other places previously mentioned, accessing San Elijo State Beach might take you a little more time. Depending on what side of the beach you head towards, there may be a 50-foot bluff between where you park and the beach.
If you access the beach from the South side, there’s a giant paid parking lot next to the beach. But, if you don’t want to pay, you can find street parking nearby.
Similarly, if you approach the beach from the North side, there’s another paid parking lot. Instead of parking there, I would recommend parking on the side of the street or in the dirt work. From the north side, you can enter the San Elijo State Beach campground and take any of the staircases to the beach.
Heads up, the staircases become increasingly longer the further North you are!
6. Old Man’s at Tourmaline
In the South part of San Diego, beyond the La Jolla area, is Tourmaline Beach. This beach is well-known amongst the local San Diego surf community as it caters to all levels of surfing. For beginners, I recommend heading specifically to Old Man’s at Tourmaline.
Here, the waves are pretty mellow, making it another great surfing spot in San Diego for beginners.
You can expect waist-high waves during the summer months and chest-high waves during the rest of the year. These are ideal for any foam boards, longboards, and hybrid surfboards.
Something to note is that crowds can be an issue at Tourmaline, especially on the weekends. However, if you go early enough in the morning or during the weekdays, you shouldn’t have too much trouble finding a spot to surf. Plus, there are a few smaller breaks at Old Man’s, so doable to spread out.
One of my favorite things about Old Man’s at Tourmaline is that there’s always a friendly local vibe. Almost every time I’ve surfed there, I have seen several decked-out old surfer vans in the parking lot with people gathered around, singing, and playing music.
You just can’t help but smile as you immerse yourself in that authentic Southern California surf culture.
Not to mention, the surfers are also pretty laid back. Since the area is often filled with beginners, everyone is always trying to have a good time and catch some easy waves. Thus, don’t be afraid to ask for help as people are normally willing to give a helping hand!
Lastly, like La Jolla Shores, Old Man’s at Tourmaline has restrooms and showers that are available for use by beachgoers.
Old Man’s at Tourmaline Approach
In terms of the approach, it can be super easy or involve a little bit of a trek. There is a large parking lot in from of Old Man’s at Tourmaline, but it does fill up quickly during the evenings when people get off work and during the peak summer months.
Thus, if you want to avoid spending 30+ minutes driving around in loops, consider parking on one of the surrounding residential streets. The only thing to note about this is that you’ll have to walk down a fairly steep paved hill.
It shouldn’t take more than 5-10 minutes to walk up, but it can be exhausting when you’ve just completed your surf session.
7. Pacific Beach
Directly south of Tourmaline Beach is Pacific Beach, more commonly referred to as “PB.” Pacific Beach is another fantastic place for beginners to surf in San Diego for a few reasons.
For one, there are several beach breaks with smaller waves that cater toward foam boards and longboards. This is great for beginner and intermediate surfers since you’ll most likely want to start on a foamie or longboard.
Another perk of Pacific Beach is that it has a really welcoming local vibe. Everyone is super friendly and laid back, which makes for a great surfing experience overall.
If you need help, don’t hesitate to ask a local surfer for advice. There are also several lifeguard towers in the area if you need any assistance.
At times, it can get pretty crowded but, I’ve found that the crowds are usually manageable.
Pacific Beach is a larger beach, so you can spread out if you’re concerned about running into someone or getting in the way. And since there are so many people surfing here, it’s easy to find someone at your level to surf with.
Finally, if you’re looking for a place to eat after your session, Pacific Beach has no shortage of restaurants and cafes serving up delicious food!
The area is known for its vibrant nightlife, so there are tons of things to do in the area to make your time worthwhile.
Pacific Beach Approach
Since Pacific Beach is massive and you may not be sure where exactly to go, head to the north side of Crystal Pier. This is the best surfing area for beginners 🙂
In terms of parking, there is free street parking available on nearby streets, like Grand Ave and Garnet Street. From there, it’s a short and flat walk to the beach!
8. Mission Beach
If you’re flying into San Diego, Mission Beach is a great spot for surfing in San Diego for surfers of all levels. By car, it’s about 15 minutes from the San Diego International Airport. This makes it one of the best places to surf in San Diego if you don’t want to drive 45 minutes up to La Jolla
Plus, the beach is situated right next to Belmont Park, which houses lots of attractions. As a result, the beach is definitely one of the most popular and crowded ones.
For newer surfers still learning how to pop up and maneuver around people, I recommend staying in the area in front of Belmont Park. The waves here are gentler, and the people in the water are more laid back.
The one thing you will want to watch out for is strong rip currents. If you’re not familiar with rip currents, they’re essentially fast-moving channels of water that pull you away from shore. They typically occur near the south jetty that stretches out into the ocean.
I recommend doing your best to stay at least 100m from the South Jetty to avoid the rip currents. If you do find yourself caught in one, swim parallel to the shore. When you no longer feel you’re being pulled out, you can then start swimming toward the shore.
Along with surfing, Mission Beach has a paved path that people love to stroll, walk, bike, skate, or ride along. You’ll also find an assortment of restaurants and bars located right off the pathway if you want to grab something to eat.
Mission Beach Approach
Parking can be a bit tricky at Mission Beach. During the summer, it’s pretty hard to find street parking and will certainly test your patience. Even the paid parking lots tend to fill up quickly.
So if you’re visiting during peak season, make sure to get there early or consider taking public transit.
9. Ocean Beach
Directly across the channel from Mission Beach is the smaller but still popular Ocean Beach! Like Mission Beach, Ocean Beach is a nice alternative for surfing in San Diego for beginners if you’re staying near downtown.
Ocean Beach is a beach break, but the water is much shallower. As a result, it’s a good place in San Diego to learn how to surf for anyone hesitant about surfing in deep waters. This also means you don’t have to paddle out far to reach the waves’ breaking point.
You’ll want to surf North of the Ocean Beach Pier because that’s where the waves are gentler and beginner-friendly. The surf crowd is also nicer north of the pier since intermediate to advanced surfers tend to hang out south of the pier where the waves are larger. Again, you’ll want to be careful of rip currents forming near the jetty and pier.
Lastly, Ocean Beach also has lots of fantastic amenities that make it a great place to spend the day. These include lifeguards on duty, restrooms, showers, and beach volleyball courts. There are even plenty of surf schools and shops if you need to rent a surfboard for the day or want to take a few lessons!
And if you start to feel hungry, stop by one of the adorable cafes or restaurants in the Ocean Beach area. They still exude that Retro Southern California local surfer vibe!
Ocean Beach Approach
The approach for Ocean Beach is fairly chill. There are public parking lots near the beach, but they do fill up fast. If you can’t find a space in the parking lot, you can always park on the street.
What to Bring Surfing
Aside from your surfboard, unless you’re renting on-site, here are a few things you’ll want to bring to go surfing.
- 🌞 Sunscreen: While lobsters can be found washed up on some of the San Diego beach shorelines, it’s best if you don’t turn into one. Make sure to protect your skin by applying a generous amount of sunscreen.
- 🏖 Beach Towel: A necessity for both drying off after coming out of the water and for lounging on the beach! I always travel with this Rainleaf microfiber towel. It’s very compact, dries quickly, and doesn’t get that mil-dewy smell.
- 💧 Water: Bring more water than you think you’ll need as it’s easy to become dehydrated. The water is also extremely salty and can burn your tongue/throat if you aren’t used to it. Water helps wash away the saltiness.
- 🥪 Snacks: We can’t forget the snacks! If you plan on spending the day at the beach, bring snacks or cash to buy food. I like packing fresh fruit and sandwiches to help take the salty edge off.
- 🩳 Changing mat: If you plan on changing out of your swimsuit or a wetsuit, I strongly recommend getting a changing mat. When the sun is out, the streets and concrete in San Diego get HOT. Save your feet from getting burned while changing by getting a little changing mat to stand on. These mats are also convenient because they can be converted into a waterproof bag that keeps your wet items together! No need to worry about dirt, sand, and saltwater all over the place in your car. 😅
✅ This is the durable changing mat and Rainlead Microfiber Towel I recommend!
Do You Need a Wetsuit to Surf in San Diego?
A common question people from out of town often ask is if you need a wetsuit to surf in San Diego. The answer is yes and no.
While most people associate San Diego with perfect sunny conditions almost year-round, the water temperature definitely fluctuates from month to month. For example, during the summer months, the water temperature is pretty warm and hovers around the 70s – low 80s°F. Thus, you can comfortably be in the water with just your swimsuit or swim trunks.
However, from about late September to May, the water temperatures begin to drop, bottoming out around December to January. For the September to May period, you’ll definitely want to consider getting a wetsuit.
I recommend a 3/2 wetsuit if you’re surfing during September and October or April and May. Meanwhile, you’ll want a thicker 4/3 wetsuit for the colder winter months.
Where to Stay in San Diego
If you’re flying from out of town, you’ll likely need a place to stay. Here are my top recommendations on where to stay in the San Diego area based on my experiences and an excessive amount of research!
Budget Stay
Location: Sands of La Jolla is in one of the nicest and safest areas of San Diego. The area is extremely safe and central to everything you could possibly need — shops, restaurants, cafes, and of course, the beach!
Amenities: Features spacious modern rooms with private balconies, a spa area with loungers, an outdoor swimming pool, and free parking.
Why it’s worth staying here: While this hotel has a three-star rating, you’re treated like a 5-star guest. The service is excellent, and the staff is more than willing to point you in the right direction for some San Diego hidden gems. This is a great place to stay if you’re looking for an affordable getaway!
✅ Click to book your affordable stay in San Diego at Sands of La Jolla
Mid Range Stay
📍Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa
Location: The Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa has an unbeatable location and sits directly in front of Mission Bay. It’s also 4 miles away from SeaWorld and 10.5 miles away from the San Diego Zoo. The area is lovely to walk around as there are lots of little boutique shops, adorable cafes, and restaurants in the area.
Amenities: Features fitness center, outdoor pool, on-site dining, private beach area, volleyball courts, as well as bikes, inline sakes, and water sports equipment available for rent. The resort also frequently hosts evening entertainment shows that are fabulous to take part in.
Why it’s worth staying here: As someone who has stayed here multiple times, I cannot recommend the Catamaran Resort and Hotel Spa enough. I’ve had an incredible experience and found something new to admire every time. If you’re looking for a relaxing escape from the world that won’t break your bank, this is the place to go.
✅ For a comfortable and relaxing stay, consider booking at the Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa
Surfing in San Diego: FAQ
For beginner surfers, the best time to surf in San Diego is summer. The waves are generally smaller and the water is warmer, so you won’t have to worry about getting a wetsuit! Contrastingly, if you’re an intermediate surfer looking to improve on waves consistently ranging from 3-5+ feet, the best time to surf is the fall. This is when San Diego gets lots of incoming swell from the SW and W regions.
To keep it short and sweet, the answer is yes. You can absolutely surf in San Diego in December. Just know that the water temperature will be at one of its coldest points in December, so you’ll want at least a 4/3 wetsuit.
Also, be aware that the waves and swells tend to be bigger in December due to frequent on-shore and off-shore storms. As a result, always check the daily surf report to see if conditions are safe and good for you to be out there. The last thing you want is to show up at the beach and see giant waves crashing everywhere.
Along with surfing, some other fun things to do in San Diego that I recommend doing include indulging in all the delicious food 🌯, walking around Balboa Park, visiting the shopping centers (Westfield UTC and One Paseo are good ones), rock climbing at Mesa Rim, tasting fine wines at the local vineyards or in the vineyards of the Valle de Guadalupe region, and doing goat yoga!
Wrap-Up: 9 Best Spots for Surfing in San Diego for Beginners (2024)
From the many stunning beaches to the majestic sea creatures always peaking their heads through the ocean’s surface to say hello, San Diego is one of the best places in the world to surf.
I was lucky enough to call San Diego my home for 5 years and loved every second of it. So, if you’ve been thinking of making a trip out there or beginning your surfing journey…now’s the time to do it!
Just remember that surfing takes time and LOTS of practice, so be patient and do your best to enjoy the ride :’) And the bright side is that you already know the 9 best spots for surfing in San Diego for beginners, so you’ve already got a leg up!
Ultimately, I hope this post has been helpful and wish you the best of luck in your surf adventure. As always, feel free to reach out if you have any questions!
👉 Want to learn about surfing in exotic locations? Check out my post about all things surfing in Tahiti and its famous waves!
Read More About California
- 🌴 Palm Springs: Are you a tennis fan? If so don’t miss out on attending the crowd-favorite BNP Paribas Open! There are tons of things to do and excursions to join in this desert oasis that’s just 2 hours from San Diego!
- 🌲 Santa Cruz: If you’re headed up North to Santa Cruz for the Winter season, here’s what you can expect!
