Los Angeles · SURF LESSONS

The 15 Best Surf Lessons near Los Angeles

38 tours  ·  from $69 a head

Every beginner break in the county is slow, mellow and crowded, which is exactly what you want on day one. The 15 below compare Santa Monica, Huntington and the Santa Barbara points on group size, what gear is included and how long you get in the water.

Los Angeles: Surfing Lesson in Venice Beach - The First 30 to 40 Minutes on the Sand
Surf Lessons, Tour Reviews, Venice Beach Tours, Workshops

Los Angeles: Surfing Lesson in Venice Beach

1.Surfing Lesson in Venice Beach

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 442 reviews · 2 hours · from $69Our pick

Learn to surf at Venice Beach in a two-hour lesson with wetsuit, board, safety training, and patient English-speaking instructors.

“Highly recommended! Clear information, they answered all my questions quickly and kindly. The instructor Axel was very good.”

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1.5-Hour Surf Lesson in Santa Monica - The final hour: putting the pop-up to work
Santa Monica Tours, Surf Lessons, Surf Lessons in Santa Monica, Tour Reviews, Workshops

1.5-Hour Surf Lesson in Santa Monica

2.1.5-Hour Surf Lesson in Santa Monica

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 146 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $140Top rated

Learn to surf on the sandy-bottomed beach between Venice and Santa Monica with equipment, safety training, and an instructor included.

“It was an amazing time! Liam was the best instructor and so patient with our nephews! We would do it again!”

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Shared 2 Hour Small Group Surf Lesson in Santa Monica - About an hour of coached practice in the water
2-Hour Experiences, Santa Monica Tours, Surf Lessons, Surf Lessons in Santa Monica, Tour Reviews, Workshops

Shared 2 Hour Small Group Surf Lesson in Santa Monica

3.Shared 2 Hour Small Group Surf Lesson in Santa Monica

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 144 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $85

Learn to surf at Santa Monica with Fun Surf LA, using included gear, small groups, beach training, and guided ocean practice for $85.

“John was a great instructor. The weather was rather cold and wet, so he gave us two wet suits each to keep us as warm as possible. Easy meeting spot. Great fun!”

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Private Surf Lesson with Instructor, Board, & Wetsuit - The first 15 minutes on the sand
Private, Santa Barbara Tours, Surf Lessons, Surf Lessons in Santa Barbara, Tour Reviews, Workshops

Private Surf Lesson with Instructor, Board, & Wetsuit

4.Private Surf Lesson with Instructor, Board, & Wetsuit

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 96 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $85

Learn to surf south of Santa Barbara with a private instructor, board, and wetsuit included in this 90-minute beginner lesson.

“Madison was a delightful instructor for my two kids. She was knowledgeable, supportive and friendly. The kids had a blast and had many wonderful things to say about Madison. Thank you!”

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2-Hour Surf Lesson in Santa Monica - Meeting at the Venice and Santa Monica border
2-Hour Experiences, Santa Monica Tours, Surf Lessons, Surf Lessons in Santa Monica, Tour Reviews, Workshops

2-Hour Surf Lesson in Santa Monica

5.2-Hour Surf Lesson in Santa Monica

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 95 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $145

Learn to surf at Venice Beach with gear, safety training, and guided water time in a two-hour Santa Monica lesson.

“Dale was excellent - he was very patient and supportive while trying to learn the ins and outs of surfing!”

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Surf Class for Beginners in Venice - The land lesson: useful safety before the fun begins
Surf Lessons, Tour Reviews, Workshops

Surf Class for Beginners in Venice

6.Surf Class for Beginners in Venice

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 83 reviews · 2 hours (approx.)

Learn to surf in Venice with a two-hour beginner lesson, including board, wetsuit, safety training, and hands-on instruction.

“I was in California for six days and this surfing lesson was the best part of the whole trip. Surfing was on my bucket list and this was a fun and easy way to check it off. The lesson was very helpful and you spent plenty of time in the water trying it out for yourself. The instructor (Alex) was very helpful. I will definitely go back for more lessons when I am in town. They also do more than just begginer lessons!”

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Ventura Surf Lesson - The water session and catching your first waves
Surf Lessons, Tour Reviews, Workshops

Ventura Surf Lesson

8.Ventura Surf Lesson

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 75 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $85

Learn to surf at Ventura’s Mondo Beach with a private 90-minute lesson, patient instructors, and all equipment included for $85 per person.

“Nick was amazing, professional and very attentive to our daughter's first surfing experience. I would definitely recommend him and this company. A+”

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1.5 Hour Surf Lesson in Laguna Beach - Getting into the water with a coach nearby
Orange County Tours, Surf Lessons, Surf Lessons in Orange County, Tour Reviews, Workshops

1.5 Hour Surf Lesson in Laguna Beach

9.1.5 Hour Surf Lesson in Laguna Beach

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 70 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $110

Learn to surf in Laguna Beach with a local instructor, warm gear, small groups, and beginner-friendly coaching at a beautiful California beach.

“Great experience. Our instructor Zeke was very informative and great to talk to. Made us feel very comfortable. Had a great time and can't wait to get back on the waves.”

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Private Surf Lesson Newport Beach, California - Two hours with a coach focused on your group
Orange County Tours, Private, Surf Lessons, Surf Lessons in Orange County, Tour Reviews, Workshops

Private Surf Lesson Newport Beach, California

10.Private Surf Lesson Newport Beach, California

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 69 reviews · 2 hours (approx.)

Learn to surf in Newport Beach with a private instructor, personal coaching, included equipment, and lessons for all ages and skill levels.

“Our girls loved their surf lessons and learned a lot. I think they had Dave(?) but he was so fun and joked with the girls that made them so relaxed and easier to learn. I wish I would’ve signed myself up.”

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Private Surfing Lesson in Santa Monica - Why private instruction helps beginners
Private, Santa Monica Tours, Surf Lessons, Surf Lessons in Santa Monica, Tour Reviews, Workshops

Private Surfing Lesson in Santa Monica

11.Private Surfing Lesson in Santa Monica

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 47 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $125

Learn to surf with a private instructor in Santa Monica and Venice Beach, with boards, wetsuits, flexible coaching, and free cancellation.

“Hands down the best surfing lessons ever. Our instructor Jonathan, I hope I’m spelling his name correctly, was amazing. He was fun and he laughed with us. He laughed at us while we were laughing. All together it was an amazing experience and I would recommend it for anyone!”

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Private Surf Lesson in Venice Beach - The 30-minute land lesson at Washington Boulevard
Private, Surf Lessons, Tour Reviews, Venice Beach Tours, Workshops

Private Surf Lesson in Venice Beach

12.Private Surf Lesson in Venice Beach

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 42 reviews · 2 hours (approx.)

Learn to surf at Venice Beach with a private two-hour lesson, board, wetsuit, safety coaching, and patient one-on-one instruction.

“My two daughters had a great experience. Paul was super patient and a great instructor. Would absolutely recommend.”

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Private Surf Lessons in Malibu - Meeting at 23000 Pacific Coast Highway
Malibu Tours, Private, Surf Lessons, Tour Reviews, Workshops

Private Surf Lessons in Malibu

13.Private Surf Lessons in Malibu

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 38 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $135

Learn to surf at Malibu’s Surfrider Beach with private instruction, gentle waves, and patient coaching from local surfer Ric.

“Ric displayed patience with my novice “surfers”. He made certain all were comfortable. A great experience was had by all!”

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2 Day Beginner Surf Adventure - Day one on Pacific Coast Highway 1
2-Day Experiences, Surf Lessons, Tour Reviews

2 Day Beginner Surf Adventure

14.2 Day Beginner Surf Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 26 reviews · 2 days (approx.)

Learn to surf on Malibu’s coast, camp under the stars, enjoy meals, and hike to a swimming hole on this active two-day Los Angeles escape.

“Warning - No longer exists. Should not be on Viator ! Assume they'll be refunding me after I contacted themn. But Very disappointed, all the hassle, flew the kids to LA etc. Have used them worldwide with no issues. Surprised no controls in place”

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2h of Private Surf Lesson for Beginners in Santa Monica - The beach meeting point at 2400 Ocean Front Walk
2-Hour Experiences, Private, Santa Monica Tours, Surf Lessons, Surf Lessons in Santa Monica, Tour Reviews, Workshops

2h of Private Surf Lesson for Beginners in Santa Monica

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