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:
Coconut Pete’s (PB/India St): A Reddit favorite, offering refurbished boards and fair pricing
“They have a large selection of fixed‑up used boards, and they are reasonable on the pricing.Play It Again Sports, Second Chance (OB), and Clairemont Surf Shop are also credible used‑board vendors
The Board Source (Carlsbad): Known for high‑end used boards and honest service
🗺️ 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
Looking for first-time purchase guidance? Clairemont Surf Shop gets repeated shout-outs:
“Clairemont Surf Shop FTW. One of the oldest surf shops in San Diego.Want high-end used boards? Board Source in Carlsbad is excellent, with transparent pricing, refunds, and quality.
🌊 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.
Newbies: Go to PB Surf Shop or Surf Diva for lessons, rentals, and solid entry gear.
Collectors/Cerveceros: Bird’s Surf Shed and Hansen’s deliver rare finds and demo boards.
Local Families & Returners: South Coast, Mission Surf, Clairemont offer consistent, friendly support.
Budget-conscious surfers: Coconut Pete’s, Play It Again, Second Chance, Board Source are great for deals and quality used boards.
📍 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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