Los Angeles: Private Surfing Lesson

The first wave changes everything. This two-hour private surf lesson gives you personal coaching at one of several famous Los Angeles beaches, with boards and wetsuits included. I like the one-on-one pace and the fact that first-timers are welcome. I also like the choice of bringing one friend, so you can share the lesson without joining a large class. The main consideration is simple: you need basic swimming ability, and surf conditions can force a change of plans.

You will meet near Santa Monica at 20 Bicknell Avenue, then get fitted with a wetsuit and an 8- or 9-foot board. I appreciate that the instructor covers ocean awareness and safety before sending you into the water. The class is taught in English or Spanish, and the 4.8 rating from 75 reviews points to a consistently well-received experience, with recent comments praising the fun, clear instruction, and motivation.

Key points at a glance

• Private coaching for one or two people: You can learn at your own pace instead of trying to keep up with a large group.
• A proper beginner setup: Wetsuits and 8- or 9-foot surfboards are provided, making the first lesson easier to arrange.
• Three possible beach areas: The lesson may meet at Venice Beach, Santa Monica Beach, or Redondo and Torrance Beach, depending on the arrangement and conditions.
• Safety comes before the waves: You learn how to pop up, understand the ocean, and handle basic safety before the water session.
• Useful practical extras: Your belongings can be stored in a locked surf school van, and an outdoor public shower is available afterward.
• Flexible booking terms: You can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund and reserve now while paying later.

Why a private Los Angeles surf lesson works

Surfing looks easy from the shore. A board glides toward the beach, someone pops up, and the whole thing appears effortless. In practice, the timing, balance, board position, and wave choice give beginners plenty to think about. A private lesson helps because the instructor can focus on your specific problems instead of delivering the same speech to a crowded class.

That personal attention matters most during the first attempts. If you are nervous in the water, you can spend more time on the sand. If you already surf occasionally, you can move more quickly toward the lineup and use the lesson to improve your technique.

The booking accommodates one or two people. For a solo student, that means the entire lesson centers on your progress. For two friends, it offers a more social outing without giving up the small-group feel.

The lesson lasts two hours, not a full day of surfing. The activity is listed as valid for one day because you select an available starting time, but you should think of it as a focused half-day stop within a Los Angeles visit. That length is sensible for beginners, who can become tired quickly while paddling and repeatedly getting back on the board.

Arriving at 20 Bicknell Avenue in Santa Monica

The stated meeting point is 20 Bicknell Avenue, Santa Monica, California 90401. Once you enter the parking lot, turn right and look for a white Ford E-250 van or a blue surf school bus. The instructor meets you on the right side of the lot, off Bicknell Avenue.

This detail is worth saving before you go. A beach parking lot can feel confusing when you are carrying swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen, especially if you are arriving close to the lesson time. I would keep the address and coordinates, 34.0048827, -118.4907467, ready on your phone.

The lesson can also take place at Venice Beach or at Redondo and Torrance Beach. Because the supplied meeting instructions specifically identify Santa Monica, confirm your exact beach and meeting point when booking. The location may depend on the day’s arrangements and surf conditions.

You are not expected to bring a surfboard or wetsuit. Those are supplied, which removes two awkward items from your packing list. Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and water. You should also dress in a way that makes changing into a wetsuit easy.

Choosing between Santa Monica, Venice, and the South Bay

The three beach areas give the activity a different feel, although the core instruction remains the same.

Santa Monica Beach is the clearest choice if you want a straightforward meeting point with detailed parking instructions. It also fits neatly into a day built around the Santa Monica waterfront.

Venice Beach adds more local character. The area is famous for its eccentric street life, beach culture, and people-watching. If you like pairing an active lesson with time around a distinctive Los Angeles beach district, Venice gives the day extra flavor. The tradeoff is that the beach environment can feel less calm and orderly than a quieter stretch of coast.

Redondo or Torrance Beach may suit you if the lesson is arranged in the South Bay. These locations offer another part of the Los Angeles coast, away from the best-known Santa Monica and Venice names. The important point is to confirm the precise location in advance rather than assume that every booking begins at Bicknell Avenue.

You are not choosing a sightseeing tour with several stops. The beach is the setting for the lesson, and the value comes from the instruction and water time. Pick the meeting area that works best with the rest of your day.

The first part of the lesson: equipment and beach training

Before you enter the water, you are fitted with a wetsuit and given a surfboard. The available boards are 8 and 9 feet long. Larger boards are a sensible choice for learning because they provide more stability than a short performance board.

The instructor then assesses your level. A complete beginner can expect an extended lesson on the sand. This is where you learn the mechanics of surfing without also worrying about waves, paddling, and keeping your head above water.

The key skill is the pop-up, the movement that takes you from lying on the board to standing. You will also learn important points about the ocean and finish the land session with safety instruction. That order is a real strength. A lesson that rushes straight to the waves may look exciting, but it can leave a new surfer unsure about basic water judgment.

If you already have some surfing experience, the instructor may move you toward the lineup sooner. The private format makes that adjustment possible. You are not forced to spend the full lesson repeating material you already understand, though the instructor will still cover the safety points that apply to the day.

The ocean session and what beginners should expect

After the beach instruction, you spend the remaining time in the ocean with the instructor. The exact amount of successful wave riding will vary. A first lesson is not a promise that you will stand up every time, or even that every attempt will feel graceful. You should measure success by learning the process, reading the water more confidently, and making controlled attempts.

The instructor helps you become more comfortable on the board and in the water. That support is particularly useful for people who have always wanted to try surfing but feel unsure about the first step.

Basic swimming ability is required. This is not a casual activity for someone who cannot manage in the water. You also need to follow the instructor’s safety directions and accept that ocean conditions are not fully predictable.

The activity can be rescheduled or canceled because of surf or weather conditions. You are contacted the day before if that happens. I see this as a practical safety policy rather than a flaw, but it does mean you should avoid booking the lesson as the only fixed highlight of a tightly packed day.

What the private format is worth at $99

The price is $99 per person. For one person, that is a fair cost for a two-hour lesson that includes an instructor, wetsuit, and surfboard. You are paying for coaching and equipment together, not simply access to a board.

For two people, the total is $198. The value depends on how much you want personal attention. If your main goal is to spend time at the beach and try standing on a board once or twice, a larger group class might cost less. If you want instruction shaped around your pace, the private arrangement makes more sense.

I especially like the option for a friend to join. Two people can encourage each other, compare progress, and share the day without turning the lesson into a big class. Still, remember that the price is per person, not a flat rate for two.

The lesson is also a practical option for a short Los Angeles visit. Since the equipment is included and the activity lasts two hours, you can place it between other plans. You will need to allow extra time for changing, meeting the instructor, and rinsing off afterward, but you are not committing an entire day to the beach.

Safety, storage, and the post-lesson rinse

Safety is built into the beach portion of the lesson. You learn about the ocean before entering it, and the instructor stays with you during the water session. That structure should help beginners understand that surfing is more than balancing on a board.

You need to bring your own sunscreen, towel, swimwear, and water. Those items are not listed among the included equipment. Los Angeles sun can be strong, so sunscreen is not an optional extra for most people spending time on the beach.

Your belongings can be stored in the locked surf school van. This is useful because you do not want to carry a phone, wallet, or extra clothing into the water. I would still bring only what you need and keep valuables to a minimum.

After the class, you follow the instructor to an outdoor public shower to rinse off. It is a basic beach finish, not a private changing facility or spa-style wash. Plan your clothing accordingly, and do not expect a long indoor shower or a polished locker-room setup.

What the strongest feedback tells you

The most positive comments focus on two things: the lesson was fun, and the instructor gave clear guidance and motivation. One recent German-language comment says the instructor taught surfing properly, guided the student, and kept them motivated. That is exactly what you want from a first lesson, since the hardest part can be staying patient after a few failed attempts.

Other recent feedback describes the experience as perfect or simply says that everything was fine. Those short comments do not provide technical detail, but together with the 4.8 rating from 75 reviews, they suggest a reliable level of satisfaction.

No instructor name is provided, so you cannot request a particular teacher based on the available information. Instruction is offered in English and Spanish. If language is important for you, select the language you prefer when arranging the lesson.

The high praise should not make you expect expert-level surfing in two hours. The real benefit is a friendly introduction, basic technique, safety awareness, and a chance to decide if you want more practice.

Who should book this lesson

I would recommend it to a first-time surfer who can swim and wants personal attention. It also suits an intermediate surfer who wants to work on confidence or technique without joining a large class.

It is a good match for:

• Solo visitors who want a structured beach activity
• Two friends looking for a shared lesson
• Adults and children age seven or older who have basic swimming ability
• Beginners who want equipment supplied
• Intermediate surfers who prefer individual feedback
• Visitors who can keep their schedule flexible in case weather changes the plan

I would be more cautious if you cannot swim, dislike public beach facilities, or need a guaranteed activity at a precise time. I would also avoid booking it as a firm must-do if your Los Angeles schedule has no room for a weather-related change.

Booking details worth knowing before you go

Children under seven cannot participate. The activity is private or offered in small groups, and the private option is available for one or two people.

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve-now-and-pay-later option is helpful if you are still arranging your Los Angeles plans. Starting times depend on availability, so check the schedule rather than assuming that a lesson is available at any hour.

The provider is Cali-Adventures.com. Instruction is available in English and Spanish. Since the location may involve Santa Monica, Venice, or Redondo and Torrance, verify the exact beach and meeting instructions before the day of your lesson.

Should you book the Los Angeles private surf lesson?

Book it if you want a real introduction to surfing, value one-on-one coaching, and can swim. The $99 price is reasonable because it includes the instructor, wetsuit, and board, while the private format gives you more useful attention than a crowded class.

I would choose this lesson over a casual board rental for a first attempt. You get safety instruction, practice on the sand, guidance in the ocean, storage for your belongings, and a rinse afterward. Just keep your expectations realistic: two hours can teach you the basics, but it will not turn you into a polished surfer.

If Venice, Santa Monica, or the South Bay fits your plans, this is a practical way to add ocean time to a Los Angeles visit. Leave room for conditions to change, bring the simple beach essentials, and treat standing up as a bonus rather than the only measure of a good day.

FAQ

How long does the surf lesson last?

The private surf lesson lasts two hours.

How much does the lesson cost?

The price is $99 per person.

Can one person book the private lesson?

Yes. The lesson can be booked for one person or for two people.

Are surfboards and wetsuits included?

Yes. Surfboards measuring 8 and 9 feet, along with wetsuits, are included.

Where is the meeting point?

The listed meeting point is 20 Bicknell Avenue, Santa Monica, California 90401. Enter the parking lot, turn right, and look for a white Ford E-250 van or blue surf school bus on the right side off Bicknell Avenue.

Can the lesson take place somewhere besides Santa Monica?

Yes. The lesson may meet at Venice Beach, Santa Monica Beach, or Redondo and Torrance Beach. Confirm your exact location before the activity.

Do I need to know how to swim?

Yes. Basic swimming ability is required to participate.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and water.

Can the lesson be canceled or rescheduled because of weather?

Yes. The activity may be rescheduled or canceled because of surf or weather conditions. You will be contacted the day before if this happens.