Santa Monica Surfboard Rentals and Lessons: The Perfect Beginner Surf Day

If you're visiting Los Angeles and want to experience your first surf day, there's no better place to start than Santa Monica and Venice Beach. These iconic coastal spots are known for their welcoming waves, friendly instructors, and vibrant beach culture—making them ideal for beginners.

This guide will walk you through a full beginner-friendly day: from surf lessons to surfboard rentals, local eats, and things to do in the area. Whether you're new to surfing or just new to LA, here’s how to make the most of a day by the water.

Start Your Morning with a Surf Lesson

The best way to start your surf journey is with a beginner surf lesson. An experienced instructor will walk you through surf safety, wave dynamics, paddling, and getting to your feet for the first time.

Recommended Surf Schools:

• Rollers Surf School – Known for beginner-friendly group surf lessons in Venice Beach, Rollers provides fun, safe, and confidence-building instruction.
• Offshore Vibes Surf School – Offering private and semi-private lessons, Offshore Vibes is great for those wanting a more personalized intro to surfing.

Pro tip: Book an early morning session (around 8–9 a.m.) for calmer surf, fewer crowds, and cooler temperatures. Most Santa Monica surf lessons include board and wetsuit rental for the duration of your lesson.

After your lesson, you can rent a board from the same shop through SurfShare:

• Rent a board from Rollers Surf School on SurfShare
• Rent a board from Offshore Vibes on SurfShare

Practice What You Learned with a Surfboard Rental

After your lesson, the best thing you can do is keep practicing. A short 1–2 hour surfboard rental will help reinforce what you just learned and give you time to build muscle memory.

Using SurfShare, you can quickly book surfboard rentals in Santa Monica or Venice Beach without standing in line or filling out paperwork.

Why Book Surfboard Rentals with SurfShare?

• Reserve online in advance or same-day
• Contactless pickup with digital waivers
• Choose from soft-tops, longboards, funboards, and more
• Pay securely online and skip the rental desk hassle

Whether you're picking up where your lesson left off or just want to enjoy the water solo, SurfShare connects you with trusted local surf shops offering beginner surfboard rentals and gear.

Lunch on the Beach: Where to Refuel

After a few hours in the water, you’ll be ready to eat—and nothing beats tacos or burritos with an ocean breeze.

Top Picks Near the Beach:

• Teddy’s Red Tacos - Venice – Known for their rich birria and street-style authenticity.
• Holy Guacamole - Santa Monica – Fast, fresh, and generous portions.
• La Isla Bonita Taco Truck - Rose Ave – A staple on the Westside and a go-to for surfers and locals.

Grab your food to-go, find a spot on the sand, and enjoy a classic California lunch break.

Afternoon Activities Around Santa Monica & Venice

Santa Monica and Venice have so much to explore beyond the waves. Here are a few must-dos between surf sessions:

• Santa Monica Pier – Carnival rides, street performers, and ocean views
• Venice Skatepark – Watch local skaters in action at this iconic spot
• Abbot Kinney Blvd – Boutiques, coffee, surf shops, and murals
• The Strand – Rent a cruiser and ride the path from Venice to Manhattan Beach

Optional Evening Surf: Try a New Board at Sunset

Sunset is one of the most peaceful and scenic times to be in the ocean. The crowds thin out, the light is golden, and the water is calm—perfect for a low-pressure session to finish your day.

Recommended Evening Rental:

• Sea N Soul Surf Shop - Malibu – Located just up the coast in Malibu, Sea N Soul offers a full selection of boards, including performance and funboard rentals. It’s a great chance to try something different than the beginner soft-top you used in the morning. Rent from Sea N Soul on SurfShare

You can rent directly through SurfShare, where many shops offer late-day rental time slots and simple pickup.

Just one hour in the water is enough to take in the sunset from a whole new perspective.

Recap: A Full Beginner Surf Day in LA

Here’s how to make the most of your first time surfing in Santa Monica or Venice:

Morning

• Surf lesson with Rollers or Offshore Vibes
• Rent a board after your lesson through SurfShare

Lunch

• Grab burritos or tacos near the beach
• Eat on the sand and recharge

Afternoon

• Explore Santa Monica Pier or Abbot Kinney
• Bike the boardwalk or visit the canals

Evening

• Rent another surfboard for a sunset session
• Try a different style board from a local shop like Sea N Soul

Want to Make It Easy?

You can book surfboard rentals and other gear online in one place at SurfShare. Our platform connects you with real local shops in Santa Monica, Venice Beach, Malibu, and other surf towns—so you can focus on the fun, not the logistics.

Whether you're planning ahead or deciding the day-of, SurfShare helps you surf more and stress less.