San Diego Surf School

Founded by Souf Tihhi

San Diego Surf School identifies Souf Tihhi as its founder and dates its founding to 2000. Its program includes lessons, seasonal camps and other surf activities. Pacific Beach and Ocean Beach are the two choices shown on the individual-lesson product checked for this profile.

What a lesson looks like

The private session pairs one student with one instructor. The page describes an opening land segment covering water entry, safety, pop-up and stance, followed by coached surfing. The surfboard and wetsuit are included; wave selection and etiquette are part of the published curriculum.

Check the neighborhood on the reservation

Pacific Beach and Ocean Beach are separate meeting areas with separate contact addresses. Pick the lesson location first, then use the instructions attached to that booking. Keep the school’s lesson beach distinct from the location of any rental or other activity.

Pacific Beach and Ocean Beach in the water

San Diego Surf School's two meeting areas sit on beaches that react differently to the same swell. Pacific Beach, centered on Crystal Pier, is a straight, west-facing beach break with our all-levels rating and a 2–5 ft working range on swells from about south to west. The Cass Street base is a short walk from the sand north of the pier, where peaks are spread out and whitewater is usually forgiving.

Ocean Beach, a few miles south, is a step up. Our Ocean Beach Pier profile rates it intermediate, with a 2–6 ft range on swells from roughly west-northwest and some south. The pier, the river jetty and shifting sandbars can concentrate rip currents and create punchier peaks. Both beaches usually work best from low to mid tide and are cleanest in the morning, before the onshore breeze. A practical way to choose: check both forecasts the night before. If Ocean Beach is showing 4 ft+ and Pacific Beach is 2–3 ft, Pacific Beach is the better first-lesson pick. If both are small, the choice comes down to parking and where you want to spend the rest of your day. Late summer brings the warmest water, roughly the high 60s to around 70°F, while spring water is often in the high 50s and a full wetsuit helps.

Who it’s best for

Choose individual instruction for direct feedback and a session paced around your needs. Semi-private and group formats share the instructor’s attention at different ratios. If camps are your priority, compare the camp’s age and schedule requirements separately.

Local tips before you go

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen and water. Confirm the service fee and any equipment-use time after the session. The private-lesson page offers extra equipment time for that format; do not assume that the same arrangement applies to a group lesson.

Check the surf before your session

Check the forecast for Pacific Beach or Ocean Beach according to the reservation, then ask the school about any meeting-point change. Share your experience level so the instructor can consider appropriate conditions.

Check the surf before your lesson

Live forecasts for the breaks where San Diego Surf School teaches.

FAQs

More surf schools in San Diego

• Ocean Experience Surf School · Ocean Beach and Mission Beach, San Diego
• Pacific Surf School · Pacific Beach and other San Diego beach locations
• PB Surf Shop / Pacific Beach Surf School · Pacific Beach, San Diego

Breaks near San Diego Surf School

Nearby surf spots with live BODI forecasts, tides and wind.

Sources

• San Diego Surf School: private lessons and comparison rates
• San Diego Surf School: about
• San Diego Surf School: contact

Facts checked against the school's website, October 7, 2026. Written by the Surfing Tomorrow Team.