2 Day Beginner Surf Adventure

The best part of this two-day escape is the mix of surf lessons and wild coastal camping. One day puts you in the water at a secluded Malibu surf spot, and the next takes you into the Santa Monica Mountains for a swim and possible cliff jump.

I like that the basics are covered: six hours of instruction, surfboards, wetsuits, transport, meals, snacks, and camping gear. I also like the private tent on a 1,000-acre property, which gives you a far quieter night than a standard Los Angeles hotel. The big concern is availability. A serious booking report described the experience as no longer operating, so you should confirm the date directly before arranging flights or bringing children.

Key points to know before you book

• Six hours in the water: The surf teaching takes place on the first day at a secluded Malibu spot, with boards and wetsuits supplied.
• A private coastal camp: You sleep in your own tent at Malibu Family Wines, with a sleeping bag and inflatable mat provided.
• Meals are part of the package: Lunch, a barbecue dinner, breakfast, and snacks are included, though you must report dietary needs when booking.
• An active second day: After coffee, tea, oatmeal, and fruit, you hike in the Santa Monica Mountains to a swimming hole.
• Small-group format: The maximum group size is 12, with the surf camp described as a small-group experience of up to six hours.
• Check that it is operating: A past customer arrived to find the experience apparently unavailable, making direct confirmation especially important.

What this two-day Malibu adventure is really offering

This is not simply a surf lesson with a night at a campsite. It is a compact outdoor weekend that links three very different Southern California pleasures: the Pacific Coast Highway, beginner surfing, and the dry hills and swimming holes of the Santa Monica Mountains.

You start from 4375 Berryman Avenue in Los Angeles and return there at the end. Transport is included, so you do not need to work out how to reach a surf beach, a remote campsite, and a hiking area on your own. That matters in Malibu, where the coast and inland recreation areas are spread out and driving logistics can eat up much of a short trip.

The experience is offered in English, though the guide may be multilingual. The maximum group size is 12, a useful limit for a lesson that requires attention in the water. The description presents the surf portion as a small-group camp, but it does not promise a specific instructor-to-student ratio, so ask about that if personal coaching is your main reason for booking.

Day one on Pacific Coast Highway 1

The first drive follows Pacific Coast Highway 1 through Malibu. The road itself is part of the attraction, with coastal views and famous surf spots along the route. The guide also points out celebrity homes, though the main value of this stretch is getting context for Malibu as a surf coast rather than spending the day on a sightseeing bus.

The group then reaches a secluded surf spot for the main lesson. You receive up to six hours of instruction, plus a surfboard and wetsuit. For a complete beginner, that is a serious amount of water time. It gives you room to learn the basic position, practice getting onto the board, and keep trying after the first few falls.

The word beginner matters here. This is designed for someone starting from scratch, not for an experienced surfer seeking challenging waves. The supplied information does not promise a certain wave size or a particular beach, so conditions may shape the lesson. You should expect instruction built around learning safely and catching early waves rather than a high-performance surf session.

Six hours can also be tiring. You will want to treat the lesson as the main physical effort of day one, not as a quick activity before a full evening of other plans. The included snacks and lunch are useful because time in the water can leave you hungry well before dinner.

The operation says it runs in all weather, but the cancellation terms also say the experience requires good weather and may be canceled if conditions are poor. That is not unusual for an outdoor surf and camping trip, but it is worth understanding before you commit to flights, lodging, or a tight Los Angeles schedule.

Camping at Malibu Family Wines

After surfing, you head to Malibu Family Wines, described as a remote 1,000-acre property with an exclusive campsite for the group. You set up your tent, relax, prepare a barbecue dinner, and watch the sunset.

The private tent is a strong feature for people who want to try camping without buying equipment. A sleeping bag and inflatable mat are supplied, as are the camping reservation and transport. You still need to be comfortable sleeping outdoors, packing up your own tent, and accepting a simpler night than you would get in a hotel.

Wine is available for purchase at the property. It is not included, so bring the right expectation: dinner is part of the tour, but drinks beyond what is provided are an extra cost. The setting should appeal to you if the idea of a quiet evening outdoors sounds better than returning to central Los Angeles after a long surf lesson.

The camping stop also gives the experience its social side. Cooking a barbecue and watching the sun go down creates a natural pause after the organized teaching. Yet the remote setting means you should pack carefully. The supplied details do not provide a full packing list, so dress for changing coastal conditions and remember that the operator says to dress appropriately in all weather.

A gentle morning, then a more adventurous afternoon

Day two begins at the campsite with coffee or tea, a light breakfast of oatmeal and fresh fruit, and time to enjoy the view. Sunrise is recommended, which makes sense for a coastal camp, but it also means you should not expect a late start if you want to see it.

The breakfast is practical rather than lavish. Oatmeal and fruit give you a simple start before packing your tent and moving on. If you have allergies or follow a special diet, report those needs when you book. The provider specifically asks for dietary information in advance, and this is important because lunch, dinner, breakfast, and snacks are all built into the day.

After camp, the group heads to a well-known hiking area in the Santa Monica Mountains. The walk leads to a swimming hole with deep water and an opportunity for cliff jumping. The setting is described as one of Malibu’s most beautiful hiking areas, but the exact trail and swimming hole are not identified.

That lack of detail matters. Cliff jumping is optional in spirit, but the description presents it as part of the adventure, so you should be comfortable around deep water and uneven outdoor terrain. The information says most participants can take part, but it does not provide a trail length, elevation gain, water temperature, or accessibility details.

I would treat this as an active outing rather than a casual stroll. Wear shoes suitable for hiking and clothing that can get wet. The provider asks you to disclose medical conditions, which is sensible given the combination of surfing, camping, hiking, swimming, and cliff jumping.

The second day balances the first. Surfing teaches you a new skill through repeated practice, while the mountain stop is more about scenery, movement, and a memorable outdoor finish. If you want a trip with plenty of downtime, this may feel full. If you want two days with little dead time, it fits well.

What is included, and what that means for value

No tour price is supplied here, so I cannot judge the exact dollar value. Still, the package includes several costs that can add up quickly in Los Angeles:

• Six hours of surf instruction
• Surfboards and wetsuits
• Transportation from the meeting point and back
• Lunch, barbecue dinner, breakfast, and snacks
• A private tent
• Sleeping bag and inflatable mat
• Camping reservations

That makes the experience more than a basic lesson. You are paying for instruction, equipment, food, transport, and an overnight outdoor stay in one booking. For someone without a car, surf gear, or camping equipment, that convenience may be worth a higher price than arranging separate activities.

The tradeoff is control. You do not choose the surf beach, campsite, hiking route, meal menu, or departure timing. You also pay for a bundled weekend even if you mainly want to surf. Compare the total price with a standalone lesson and a regular Malibu campground, but remember to add equipment rental, food, and transport when making that comparison.

A GoPro video is not included. If you want footage of your first attempts, you will need to arrange that separately, and the supplied information does not say whether a camera operator is available.

Group size, fitness, and who should choose it

The maximum group size is 12. That is small enough to keep the outing personal, though the actual group could be smaller or larger depending on the date. The surf camp itself is described as serving up to six people for the small-group lesson, but the overall activity limit is 12, so ask for clarification if that distinction matters to you.

This suits an active adult, a couple, a family with older children, or friends who want a packed weekend outside the city. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. The activity is near public transportation at its starting point, but transport during the experience is included.

You should be ready for several physical demands in a short period: six hours of surfing, sleeping outdoors, packing camp, hiking, swimming, and possibly jumping from a cliff into deep water. Most people can participate according to the supplied guidance, but you should disclose medical conditions and be honest about your comfort in the water.

This is not the right pick if you want a polished resort stay, a guaranteed private surf coach, or a relaxed beach holiday. It is also a poor fit if you dislike group schedules or cannot tolerate the uncertainty that comes with weather-dependent outdoor plans.

The most important concern: confirm the operation

One past booking report raised a major warning, describing the experience as no longer existing and noting that a family had flown to Los Angeles with children before discovering the problem. That is far more serious than a complaint about a late start or a simple meal issue.

Because of that, I would not book nonrefundable flights or build an entire family holiday around this activity until you have confirmed that Eat Sleep Surf is accepting bookings for your chosen date. Make sure the meeting point, departure time, and overnight camp are still active. A confirmation message at booking is listed as standard, but given the availability concern, an additional direct check is wise.

The stated cancellation terms are strict. Cancel at least six full days before the start time for a full refund. Cancel two to six full days ahead for a 50 percent refund, while cancellations within two full days receive no refund. Changes are not accepted inside those same windows. If poor weather causes cancellation, you should be offered another date or a full refund.

That policy makes early planning important, but the reported availability problem makes confirmation even more important. The cut-off times use local time in Los Angeles.

Should you book this surf camp?

Book it if you want a practical introduction to surfing and like the idea of adding a private tent, a barbecue sunset, and a mountain swimming hole to the same weekend. The included equipment, meals, transport, and six hours of teaching give the package real value for a first-time surfer who does not have local gear or a car.

Think twice if you need a tightly guaranteed product, dislike rustic camping, or are booking around expensive flights. The experience sounds appealing on paper, but the reported concern about it no longer operating cannot be ignored.

My advice is simple: confirm that Eat Sleep Surf is currently running the exact two-day trip before paying for related travel. If it is active and the date works, this offers a lively, demanding, and memorable way to trade Los Angeles traffic for waves, stars, and a swim in the Malibu hills.

FAQ

Where does the experience start and finish?

It starts at 4375 Berryman Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90066, and ends back at the same meeting point.

How long is the surf instruction?

Up to six hours of surf instruction is included on the first day.

Is surf equipment provided?

Yes. Surfboards and wetsuits are included.

What meals are included?

Lunch, barbecue dinner, breakfast, and snacks are included. Breakfast consists of coffee or tea, oatmeal, and fresh fruit. Dietary requirements should be provided when booking.

Do I sleep in a tent?

Yes. A private tent, sleeping bag, inflatable mat, and camping reservation are included.

What happens if bad weather cancels the experience?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. The experience is described as weather-dependent.