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Surfboard Shops in San Diego Your Ultimate Guide

 Surfboard Shops in San Diego Your Ultimate Guide's surf culture is legendary—sunny skies, consistent swells, and a thriving surfboard shop scene reflecting decades of local heritage. Here’s a deep dive into the best places to browse, buy, rent, or repair your surf setup:


1. PB Surf Shop (Pacific Beach)

When it opened: 1962
Located right on the Pacific Beach boardwalk, PB Surf Shop isn't just a retail spot—it’s San Diego’s original surf school and rental HQWith more than 60 years of history under owner Randy Strunk, the shop offers everything from foam and fiberglass board rentals to group and private lessons. They even have an outdoor rinse-off shower—perfect for returning from a session. For beginners, this is arguably the most accessible option in the city.





2. South Coast Surf Shop (Multiple Locations)

Established: 1974
With three locations around San Diego, South Coast offers an extensive selection of surfboards (new and used), wetsu

its, apparel, and surf accessories. Their knowledgeable staff and commitment to customer service have earned them a sterling reputation 


3. Bird’s Surf Shed (Bay Park / Morena Blvd)

Style & Vibe: Eclectic surf museum + events space
Owned by lifelong local surfer Eric “Bird” Huffman, Bird’s Surf Shed is famous for its floors‑to‑ceilings surfboards, rotating art shows, and surf film premiers This isn’t just a shop—it’s a cultural hub offering vintage and new boards and surfing gear in a truly unique atmosphere.


4. Mission Surf Shop (Mission Beach, 4320 Mission Blvd)

The original surf shop in Mission Beach, praised for its strong focus on sustainability, rentals, repairs, and local ties Their blend of community outreach, eco‑conscious practices, and a crisp selection makes it a solid choice for all levels of surfers.


5. Mitch’s Surf Shop (Pacific Beach & La Jolla)

Opening year: 1967
A community institution cited by Vogue, Mitch’s delivers good vibes and great service 1. Known for their mellow, fun focus, board selection, apparel, and rentals, Mitch’s is a long-standing staple in the San Diego surf scene.


6. Surf Diva Surf School & Boutique (La Jolla, Avenida De La Playa)

Est. 1996 — Co-founded by Izzy and Coco Tihanyi, Surf Diva became the world's first all‑women surf shop and school It frequently wins "Best Surf Shop" awards in La Jolla. With a full-service shop, variety of boards (short, long, foam) and a strong emphasis on female surf empowerment—it’s a must-visit.


7. Hansen’s Surf Shop (Encinitas, 1105 S Coast Hwy)

Since 1961, Hansen’s has served surfers at the iconic Swami’s break, offering a huge inventory of new and used boards, apparel, and demo gear hey even host sales events around holidays and have a revolving snowboard-style demo carpet—indicating strong ties to the winterboard community.


8. Clairemont Surf Shop (Clairemont, Balboa Ave)

A cherished local haunt since 1976, Clairemont stands out for its helpful staff, quality inventory, and respect among beginners and returning surfers It’s praised for demo setups, friendly vibes, and solid advice—not just sales.


9. Surf Ride (Oceanside / Solana Beach, South Coast Hwy)

Running since 1974, Surf Ride is the go‑to for North County surfers. Known for a vast selection of boards, rentals, camps, and community events, it’s popular with families and folks traveling from San Diego 


10. Used & Second‑hand Surfboard Sources

For budget-conscious or collectors:


🗺️ Shop Comparison: Choosing What’s Right for You

Shop

Best For

Highlights

PB Surf Shop

Beginners, lessons, rentals

Beachfront, school-certified staff

South Coast Surf Shop

Extensive selection, quality gear

Multiple branches, rentals, accessories

Bird’s Surf Shed

Culture, vintage boards, events

Art shows, premieres, community vibe

Mission Surf Shop

Rentals, sustainability, repairs

Eco-friendly, board care expertise

Mitch’s Surf Shop

Local legend feel, laid-back style

Clothing, boards, rentals

Surf Diva

All-women lessons + retail

Empowerment, awards, variety

Hansen’s Surf Shop

Swami’s surfers, demo gear

Demo events, sales, big stock

Clairemont Surf Shop

Friendly advice, demos, used boards

Community-focused, helpful staff

Surf Ride

North County surfers & families

Camps, rentals, big selection

Coconut Pete’s (used)

Affordable used/refurbished boards

Fair prices, repairs included




🌊 Tying It All Together

San Diego has something for everyone—from vibrant culture hubs to women's empowerment schools, big demo centers, and cozy neighborhood shops. Whether you're a beginner picking up your first foamie, a collector hunting vintage treasures, or a demo addict chasing that perfect ride, these ten destinations offer what you need.


📍 Bonus: Nearby Surf Culture Attractions

Check out the California Surf Museum in Oceanside, which presents decades of surf culture, boards, and memorabilia—a must for anyone fascinated by surf history 


🏄 Get Out There!

Solid Surfboards With so many surfers, so many shops—San Diego invites exploration. Don’t hesitate to drop by multiple stores, chat with staff, attend a demo, or take a lesson. Every board has a story, and every shop has a vibe. Let your next wave lead you to a new favorite surfboard spot.

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