Learn to surf in Santa Cruz at Capitola Beach!
Life's ride is best ridden on waves
The best experience in Capitola
Capitola Surf and Paddle is a locally owned, licensed, and permitted surf school. We offer personalized surf lessons and stand up paddle lessons year round to all ages and skill levels. Our surf instructors are experienced watermen & water women trained in ocean safety, certified in CPR and first aid, and want the best surf experience to keep you coming back to the water.
We are a professional operation prioritizing safety, etiquette, and fun with the goal of providing you with an experience of a lifetime!
Thank you to the local community and beyond for voting Capitola Surf and Paddle the Good Times Best Surf School in Santa Cruz for 2024 and 2026. And another thank you for voting Capitola Surf and Paddle Santa Cruz’s favorite Surf School for the 2025 Lookout List: Activities and Outdoors. It is an honor to a part of this rad community and to share the stoke that the ocean provides for all of us!
Surfing is an extraordinary and enriching experience
Why choose Capitola Beach?
Nestled within the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, Capitola has a variety of surf locations ideal for all skill levels. Due to the angle of the Monterey Bay, we are in one of the most consistent places on earth to catch waves year round. Capitola is often sheltered from the wind, and has one of the few remaining healthy kelp forests exploding with sea life along the West Coast. Backed by coastal cliffs and views of the Monterey Peninsula offshore, Capitola offers stunning views of the Bay both above and below the sea. Join us for a Stand Up Paddle excursion or a surf expedition, and sea for yourself the magic of Capitola.
