Sandbar Surf School

Signed my kiddo up for surf lessons, and she absolutely LOVED it! My daughter said everyone was…read morevery nice and encouraging. Definitely coming back!!

Stu and Ally are just the BEST!!! Family owned local shop…read morewith really cool stuff, Stu hooked me up today with a used board thx man!

Morning surf lesson.

Some great looking caps!

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Book your private or group surfing lesson today! CALL: (805) 773-1855 EMAIL: surfing14@live.com

Central Coast Surf School and Kayaks

4.8(40 reviews)

2.4 mi

My teenagers did a lesson with Riley and had the best time! He was super nice, patient, and…read morehelpful. Highly recommend!

Justice was amazing. He taught my great niece and I simply while be so encouraging. The owner…read morecontacted us to ensure the experience was just as we expected. So amazing! Yep, I am repeating myself since we were so amazed and pleased. We had a blast, too. Thanks again, Justice. You rock!! We are surfers now. ‍

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Pismo Beach Surf Academy

5.0(37 reviews)

I didn't know how affordable and approachable surf rentals and lessons could be! Rod and his wife…read morerun the place, and they are both genuinely cool people who want you to have a great experience. I decided the day before we went to give it a try for the first time with me and my two sons. Rod made me feel like I was his only customer, even though all of his lessons and classes were fully booked. Since he couldn't fit us in officially we just did rentals, and he still found time between lessons to give me and my sons quick free lessons and encouragement, and he got all of us up on a wave for the first time. He even managed to get some pics for us! I had no idea what to expect with a rental, but Rod clearly wants all of his customers to enjoy themselves, and goes out of his way to make it happen. Next time we'll definitely plan ahead and book lessons to raise our chances of catching more waves and more fun. I highly recommend renting from Rod, and trying to book a lesson!

This was a great find. My daughter had the best time with coach Rod. Great tips and loads of fun…read more We did reservation online so it was really easy! Right away received confirmation. They have great gear--she wore a brand new wetsuit! And Rod made sure we got lots of pictures and videos of it all which was awesome. We will visit again when we are in Pismo. Highly recommend!!

Another surfer success story, thanks, Rod!

Magical time in Pismo Beach.

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Recovering after a wave

Pismo Beach Surf School

3.6(5 reviews)

Do not rent from this place!!!! I strongly advise families to look elsewhere. We rented bikes that…read morewere visibly rusted and in clear disrepair. The pedaling was labored, and the chain on our family bike popped off not once, but twice, leaving us stranded in traffic. This wasn't just an inconvenience--it was a safety hazard. We returned the bikes early, and the owner's response was shockingly dismissive. She said a quick "sorry" and then literally went inside and hid, refusing to speak with us or offer any refund. An appalling lack of customer care.

DO NOT RENT FROM HERE. THE SURFING EQUIPMENT IS WARN OFF + UNFRIENDLY STAFF…read more I got a wetsuit with a big hole on it, around my leg and the leash on the surfboard was so torn and heavily used that it could barely hold together. When I told the staff about the hole on the wetsuit, he said that's ok as long as there's not a lot of water coming into it. I don't know how they managed to surf without having water coming in. The equipment was not useable and the owner not only refused to refund, but also shown aggressive and unfriendly attitude. Oh and by the way, it's really pricey to rent from here. Overall really poor experience. Do not recommend. There are many other better rental shops out there in pismo.

Living Pismo

Pismo Beach Bike rentals at Pismo Beach Surf School

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Avila Beach Surf School

4.7(20 reviews)

3.9 mi

My new years resolution was to learn how to surf! My boyfriend and I finally made the decision…read morewhile we were vacationing in Pismo beach to try surf lessons. There were so many options on Yelp I had no idea what to choose. I started calling around and found most were around the same price. This company was the only one who actually answered when I called the first time. I give them 5 stars because our surf instruction STEVE was AMAZING! Steve is not who booked our appt as I believe the owner of the company is the one who actually booked it for the next day. The owner texted me a address of where to meet them and it was very easy to find their mobile truck. The only problem was when we showed up that day no one was there after 15mins. Finally after 20 mins I decided to call. The owner answered again and completely apologized as they had double booked or did not write it on the schedule. He gave us a small discount and it was fine because the best thing though our instructor was there within 10 mins. The view of the beach is amazing so we were not worried. Our instructor Steve was fantastic! He was so go with the flow, knew exactly how to teach us what we should and should not do. He was very patient with me and was right beside me every second in the beginning when we paddled out. Once he saw I was a bit more comfortable he went out to my boyfriend and helped him go follower out. It was a blast, tiring lol but so much fun. And Steve made is safe, comfortable and fun for both of us. I would highly recommend this company and ESPECIALLY STEVE AS YOUR INSTRUCTOR. He even gave us some excersie to help build out arm strength that we could everyday to help for the next time we go surfing. Check out the photos because I actually stood up for a few seconds and it is thanks to our instructor Steve. Happy surfing!!

Justin was easy to talk to and coordinate with months in advance and a day before. Rented 10 boards…read moreand 8 wetsuits for 2 hours. He showed up at Morro Bay 1/2hr early with extra materials, got my friends fitted, and even gave a simple tutorial to renting newbies on the beach. My mom, who learned that day, said it was the most fun she's had in a long time. All boards were goalies, and some had air bubbles, but all were great beginner boards with three fins, leashes, and soft tops.

Great day of surfing in the rain!! Thank you Kevin for being an amazing surf coach!! Avila Beach Surf School is the best! !

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Pismo Beach Surf Shop

4.4(163 reviews)

2.5 mi

The owner Bill was very calming and settled my nerves very nicely. This was my idea & so my hubby &…read moreI went. I soon learned ocean kayaking no bueno for me! Bill guided us and was great at instructions. He also had no problem when I said ok I'm done let's go back! He's very knowledgeable & safety was #1 which was great! thanks Bill!

I strongly advise families to look elsewhere. We rented bikes that were visibly rusted and in clear…read moredisrepair. The pedaling was labored, and the chain on our family bike popped off not once, but twice, leaving us stranded in traffic. This wasn't just an inconvenience--it was a safety hazard. We returned the bikes early, and the owner's response was shockingly dismissive. She said a quick "sorry" and then literally went inside and hid, refusing to speak with us or offer any refund. An appalling lack of customer care.

A Bill sammich

Can you find the seals in this photo?

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Central Coast Kayaks

4.9(275 reviews)

0.0 mi

Honestly - I had such a great time kayaking with Jack last week! I was the only person who signed…read moreup so I got a personal tour. I'm not an experienced kayaker and Jack made sure I was comfortable and knew what I was doing! We saw sea lions, a blue heron, and just had a great time out there on Morro Bay. The water was smooth and we took a little break about an hour in to just stretch out on the sand bar (plus - snack!). All in all, it was a great time. Totally worth what I paid including the tip. Would do it again!

Our Cave excursion was canceled due to strong tide and it could be unsafe so we end up doing the…read moreMorro Bay kayaking which is calm and opposite of kayaking out in the ocean. As a family, we still had a good time.

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Zada Surf School

5.0(5 reviews)

2.4 mi

Scheduled to take a surf lesson on Saturday 9am. Scheduled a couple of weeks in advance as i was…read moreplan ing to do a roadtrip to pismo beach that weekend. Scheduling went well. I got a followup call two days out to confirm size of wetsuit. And i got charged the day before. I was really excited to take the lesson. I arrived 10 mins early as instructed. But the instructor was a no show. The person who books him was also out of town. So i didnt really have anyway to directly contact anyone related to the shop. Spent time away from family, but got nothing for it. I left 25 mins after the lesson was supposed to begin. Things happen, I guess. But just very disappointed. === Update ==== spoke to the proprietor , and they had some exigencies that led to the breakdown in communication. Carmen was gracious enough to offer a freebie next time I am in town... Wishing their business the best !

My 16 year old and 10 year old had their first lesson today with Rodney. They learned so much and…read morehad so much fun. Rodney is so patient and encouraging. He had a step by step approach to teaching/learning that really helped them to be patient with themselves and to gain confidence.

Pismo Beach

Learn to surf Pismo

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Super Stoked

Esteem Surf

4.7(59 reviews)

Sage Latte alone intrigued me to try. Requested with oat milk and it turned out absolutely…read moredelicious. Their house brew coffee also had plenty of flavor! There was just one barissta so the line quickly grew. However it was worth the wait. Glad to have tried before leaving Pismo Beach!

Loved decor and vibe--Totally worth the walk..chill colors & designs of their products. I'd say…read moretheir products are gender neutral. Have 2 big fitting rooms. Found some Dickies pants, a t-shirt and texturizing spray smelled like the best beach scent ever!!! Their prices were reasonable for beach front. Music & staff top notch, also The coffee shop smelled amazing, but we just came from restaurant so didn't order. Next time for sure!!

Admiring everything in this 1/2 of the store

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Pancho's Surf Shop

4.5(104 reviews)

I mean cmon gotta love it here. The best spot in Pismo for everything you need and it is RIGHT…read moreTHERE. Love it, big fan for sure. Great customer service and they clearly love their job. Awesome spot!

Great surf and skate shop in pismo! Right on the main drag that leads to the pismo pier , they had…read morea great selection of clothes and hats , flip flops. I even bought a Cabellero skate board while i was browsing!! Great service and nice board shop! Thanks

See more unrecommended reviews

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Best hats in town

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Kathi K.

13 years ago

When my daughter asked to take surf lessons this summer I did a lot of research on the Internet for a camp in Pismo Beach. I am so glad that I found Sandbar Surf. They are amazing! My daughter, 13, was signed up for the week long camp, two hours of surfing for 5 days. The owner Jonny was so kind and helpful on the phone, making the arrangements was a breeze. Although my kiddo was nervous about not knowing anyone, she was instantly put at ease by the upbeat and caring team that Sandbar Surf has. Meeting in the morning was simple and in just a few minutes my daughter was carrying her board out to learn all about this awesome sport. The lessons are informative, stressing safety and technique in a relaxed environment. Within an hour of lessons on sand and in the water, our kiddo was riding the waves. She was surfing! So cool! Heidi was our teacher and quickly became our friend. Surfing, has turned into a great love of my gal. It's a sport that is not competitive but is challenging. Its calming and exhilarating at the same. She has found the power and peacefulness of the ocean to be just the place she knows she belongs. The experience of Sandbar Surf lessons was so wonderful that my daughter encouraged my husband to take lessons as well! How awesome is that? And what a cool way for a Dad and Daughter to stay connected during the teenage years. My husband had never surfed, but Jonny and the crew made it very comfortable for him. And although he was nervous and took a little longer to get the hang of things, he had the best time. And now he is hooked on surfing as well! So awesome. We have been back now to Sandbar a few times just to rent boards and suits and hit the waves and its always easy to set those arrangements up. Just give them a jingle and you're all hooked up. Our family would recommend Sandbar Surf to anyone and we have! All summer long. It's awesome to know that these instructors are now our friends. And I look forward to more lessons for my gal as her skills grow. They are just a phenomenal company! read more

Jeremy G.

2 years ago

After trying two different surf schools during my stay in Pismo Beach, I can confidently say that Sandbar Surf School exceeded my expectations. The first school was disorganized; we started late, had a large group with minimal instructor attention, and inadequate equipment that made learning difficult. In contrast, Sandbar Surf School was a game-changer. With three attentive instructors for a small group of seven, they effectively catered to various skill levels. Two instructors were in shallower waters, offering guidance to beginners, while another was deeper, encouraging us to catch waves. What impressed me most was their equipment and personalized instruction. They provided properly sized boards with leashes, which prevented us from chasing after runaway boards. The instructors were hands-on, at times holding our boards and guiding us into optimal positions for successful rides. This approach not only boosted my confidence but also significantly improved my surfing skills in just one session. Overall, Sandbar Surf School's professionalism, personalized approach, and quality equipment make it the clear choice for anyone looking to learn or improve their surfing skills in Pismo Beach. I highly recommend them for an enjoyable and effective surfing experience. read more

Liz C.

11 years ago

Priceless Experience! We reserved 3 days for my children 14 and 8. Making the reservation was a breeze as well as Jonny's follow up texts regarding directions. Staff (Alyssa,Ryan,Ellie and Christin)were patient and enthusiastic which helped alleviate some anxiety. Prior to hitting the water students are briefed on surfing safety and etiquette. Day 1 Uriah the 8 yr old was up surfing in the first 20 minutes. The 14 yr old spent first day getting comfortable with waves and building confidence/muscle memory. Day 2 20 minutes into the morning the 14 yr old found her inner surfer and was standing up catching some waves. The children spent the morning catching waves. Remarkable day. The joy could be felt a block away. Day 3 This day was met with enthusiasm as well as sore muscles. Again staff was incredible and gave the children pointers on how to better control and improve their technique. Giving my children this experience was the best money I've spent in ages. Tips As a helicopter parent I rented a wet suit and hung out in the surf to assist my 8 year old if needed(strong swimmer we have a pool). This eased my anxiety and allowed me to enjoy as well. Pack snacks as they give you a break and trust me you'll want a little added fuel to finish strong. read more

Jeanette N.

11 years ago

We went July 15, 2015. Awesome opportunity! Great staff. We dealt mostly with Alyssa. She was super enthusiastic and helpful.a couple of times when the other instructors students wee doing fine and he was close to my daughter he quickly helped her out. The staff was very observant. was my 13 y/o daughter's first surfing experience. She ride lots of waves in and finally got it on the last wave of the day. They took a much needed break about halfway through the 2 hour lesson. A chance veto let off steam, regroup, grab a snack or drink. They had plenty of wet suits and rash guards to fit the class. I think there were 11 kids in the class. They start out on the beach talking about and demonstrating techniques, head into the water without boards to get used to the ocean and feel of the wetsuits...then out with the boards. It was fun to watch and the kids all seemed to be having a great time. It wasn't all about getting up and riding a wave standing. That's great, but you have to get the timing down for catching the wave. The groupings were small so all could have a lot of individualized instruction. Private lessons are available but we only had one day available due to our schedule. We will be going back!!! read more

L D.

9 years ago

We had a wonderful experience with the Sandbar Surf School. Jonny is so friendly and made the whole experience easy, from booking over the phone to putting our wetsuits on at the van (magic bag for the win!). It was nice that everything we needed was included in the price, including wetsuit, board and instruction (and a great attitude from the staff!). We had a wonderful surf instructor, and the ratio was excellent so we had one instructor for the two of us taking the lesson. We are beginners, and she helped us figure out how to stand up, and even how to pick out which waves were good for surfing. She was really encouraging, enthusiastic and friendly, and we really enjoyed our two hours in the water! We really appreciated that they gave us an opportunity to do a warm up on land and get used to the water temperature before heading in for our lesson. When we come back to Pismo we will definitely check out the Sandbar Surf School again and keep practicing! We can't say enough nice things about Jonny and his crew. A great, fun way to spend the morning! read more

Manny H.

12 years ago

My daughter (12) and I (old) took surf lessons for two days from Sandbar Surf School over Spring Break. We had the BEST experience!. We booked sort of last minute and John, the owner, was extremely friendly and just a great guy. He is very accommodating, genuine and just a cool dude. The entire staff there are awesome with everyone. They are very energetic, friendly, easy going and give the right amount of info., especially for first timers like us. My daughter could not stop talking about how fun it was and now she is hooked on surfing more. I believe a lot of her enthusiasm is due to the wonderful experience she had at Sandbar!! If you have ever wanted to learn to surf or need extra lessons, this is the place. We will definitely be back at Sandbar when we visit next time. One cool thing they do is pick up trash, for 2 minutes, prior to getting in the water. Its a great lesson to teach everyone, especially young kids. I like their philosophy of leaving the beach cleaner than you found it!! read more

Steven S.

11 years ago

Finally at the age of 40 I took my first surf lesson and Sandbar was the perfect choice! Alyssa was an awesome instructor who took the time and effort to show me how to get up and enjoy the ride. I think I might just have found a fun new sport - but it is a sport and hard work! They make it look so easy out there...but found it's all these muscles us old folks don't use anymore - all the more reason to keep at it and take another lesson. They cater to the individual and give great instruction from the first wave to the 50th (felt like 50!). A nice easy break where you can go from your feet in the sand to the board to the wave in a matter of seconds - not getting beat up by the waves made it fun and easy to learn! Give Sandbar a try - you'll have a great time and learn all you need to know to Surf no matter what your age. read more

Chris R.

11 years ago

I highly recommend Sandbar Surf School to anyone looking to learn how to surf. Jonny and his staff are fantastic! The price point is great for the central coast, one of the cheapest i could find. Too often are cheaper prices associated with reduction in quality and/or experience. We've all heard the old adage "You get what you pay for." which can be used to refer to superior/inferior products or services, in either case the connotation is limitation. I'm happy to report with Sandbar Surf School not only do you get to keep a few bucks in your pocket, but its an amazing experience and you will receive very high quality(superior) instruction! Thank you Sandbar Surf School for helping begin the journey of learning how to surf. Now my 6 year old want to learn how to surf i will be def returning to Sandbar Surf School. read more

Brandon G.

11 years ago

I had a blast and would highly recommend sandbar surf to anyone. I was in the middle of battling a stomach flu on vacation but decided to suck it up and give it a go anyways, and in glad I didn't skip this experience. Instructor was patient and always positive, always encouraging. I forgot how sick I was while getting a great work out... How does that even happen? My favorite part of the lesson was learning the technicalities of surfing, as he never told me to do something without explaining why I should do it. My fiance booked this class not knowing we were getting 2days of lessons, and when he found out I wasn't feeling well enough for the second lesson, he happily refunded the 2ND day and wished me the best. Class act. read more

Bill C.

4 years ago

Awesome! Johnny and his crew made the first surf experience for this Texan family a big win. We are going to have stories for years and now the kids have a positive perspective on surfing! I learned so much and I have so much more respect for surfers! The class was welcoming, fun, relaxed, graceful and a whole lot of a workout! Based on my limited experience, Pismo Beach is a great place to learn. It's clean and family oriented. there are facilities at the pier and the parking lot where the truck is parked. we ended up surfing at mission beach in San Diego....that was much harder (and Johnny wasn't there to instruct us). I fulfilled a life long dream! Thanks Sandbar Surf School!!! read more

Melissa S.

10 years ago

Had a wonderful experience with this surf school, Jonny the owner, and all the instructors. I signed my daughter up for a lesson because it was something she wanted to try. Once we registered for our lesson, Jonny got right back to me confirming her class. Everyone was friendly and helpful! It was my daughters first time ever attempting surfing. She was given individualized instruction, help, and was constantly being encouraged by not only her instructor but by the owner as well. Overall, we had an excellent experience and I was very pleased with the class. My daughter left wanting to return and try surfing again!! I would recommend this surf school to anyone in the Pismo beach area:) read more

Dane W.

3 years ago

I went Surfing with them a little over a month ago now and had a great time. I was in Pismo working on a hotel in the area and really wanted to try and surf while I was in the area. Jonny was a really nice dude and hooked me up big time. I was in a weird situation when most of the time I could only get out before he even opened shop or at the end of the day when no one was around. He still came through and was able to help me out with a board and wetsuit (little sidenote the wetsuit was way better than expected. I have worn a few and this one was by far the warmest I have worn). All in all, great people, great product, and awesome memories that I'll be talking about for a while. read more

Jason Y.

9 years ago

Wow, these guys/gals are amazing! My wife and I decide, at almost 40, that we want to start surfing. So my wife decided to start with lessons. I felt kinda stupid as mostly kids do this sort of thing. Jonny was great from the first phone conversation. Day of the lesson, all kids except the wife and I. Jonny, Angela, and Hailey made us feel welcomed and I guess normal. All three instructors were amazing with the kids that were learning. We had so much fun!!! The instruction they gave was top notch. Most importantly they made the whole experience for everyone really fun. Nothing but smiles all around at the end. We're taking our kids for lessons from sandbar surf very soon! read more

Carolyn W.

9 years ago

Jonny was very flexible and willing to wait in case I could not get my teen from our morning commitment at Cal Poly to the beach at 8:45 am (we were on time but appreciated his accommodation.) He was also upbeat and obviously wants everyone to have a great experience! The instructors took care to spend some time with each student. The range of ages and previous exposure to surfing among this particular group was a challenge for the instructors in terms of how far out they could take the students for good waves, but I think they handled it pretty well. My teen was really tempted for another lesson the next day--just couldn't fit it in the schedule! Until next time... read more

Kathryn K.

15 years ago

My 9 year old daughter recently did their one week camp and had an incredible time. The instructors Rob and Katie were patient and encouraging and really kept the kids engaged the entire time. Warm up consists of a game of tag plus stretching. They have the kids in and out of the water constantly so that they don't get bored with a lot of lecture. The kids are standing up on the boards within the first 45 minutes of hitting the water. I would highly recommend Sandbar Surf to anyone - even if you have just a day in Pismo and want to get the kids out of your hair for a few hours. We will definitely be back to take lessons as often as our schedules permit. read more

Tom N.

9 years ago

Johnny and his staff were fantastic, providing the necessary coaching and tips before our kids ages 11 and 13 got in the water. Due to a mix up for lesson time, we showed up later than the rest of the group, but they were super accommodating and made sure our kids got enough attention to catch up. My kids who grew up in Ohio had smiles on their faces throughout and I definitely recommend Sandbar. Not only is the location ideal for those new to surfing - the waves are big enough to move you but not overwhelm and the beach is sandy not rocky - but the staff make the difference. Johnny even sent us photos he took during the session. read more

Meg M.

14 years ago

I enrolled my 6-year old daughter here for three 2-hour surf lessons as part of a summer day camp, and it was all that I could've hoped for. The instructors, Rob and Katie, taught her the basics--like terminology, warming up, how to carry a board and proper positioning--and then reinforced those throughout each session. The lessons taught her the fundamentals that will stay with her for her entire life, but more importantly, she had fun and looked forward to each session. While she was able to handle the rigors of swimming and surfing in the ocean, these surf lessons are probably best suited for kids 8 and above. read more

Kelly M.

10 years ago

Johnny gave my teenage daughter a surfing lesson and absolutely treated her like a rock star! It was supposed to be a group lesson but no one else showed up so she got a private lesson. He was an excellent teacher, was very encouraging even when she made mistakes. He was such a positive person. He had enough of a fun-loving "surfer" personality that he really made things fun but still taught her the fundamental mechanics and even how to read the waves. When we got back home my daughter told everyone that learning to surf was her favorite thing we did on our vacation. Thanks for a great experience Johnny!!! read more

Alex M.

11 years ago

SUCH a great experience. Both Jonny and Alyssa went above and beyond any expectations my group had. They were very lenient in accommodating our specific schedule, and I am so glad my group went with this company for our first surfing experience. As beginners we were naturally tentative, but we were instantly put at ease by the amazing instruction we received from Alyssa. We both got up on the board at the beginning of the lesson, and even though we fell every now and then, we never felt any negative pressure from Alyssa. I would recommend this company to anyone looking for surf lessons in Pismo!! read more

Monica M.

7 years ago

Highlight of our Pismo Beach experience!!! I wanted to share my love for the ocean with my kids while having a new experience myself, since I've never been surfing. Johnny had us suited up in our wet suits in no time and we were off. Shane was our in water coach, a 3:1 ratio. Prior to getting in he reviewed techniques on how to get up on the board and in the water explained exactly how to catch a wave. By the end of the 2 hour session we all had gotten up and ridden a wave multiple times. It was a fantastic experience with the Sandbar Surf School and we will be back for more!‍‍ read more

Sandbar Surf School - surfing - Updated October 2026

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