2 Day Beginner Surf Adventure

Malibu’s surf breaks, a night under the stars, and a mountain swimming hole make an unusual weekend away from Los Angeles. The plan pairs six hours of beginner surf instruction with a private tent on a 1,000-acre property, so you get more than a lesson and a ride back to town.

I like that the surfboards, wetsuits, transport, camping gear, and meals are included, which keeps the weekend simple to plan. I also like the contrast between a day on the coast and a morning hike in the Santa Monica Mountains.

There is one serious caveat: the experience has a strong 4.8 rating from 26 reviews, but a one-star account says it no longer existed when a family arrived in LA. Confirm directly that the trip is operating on your dates before you book flights or build a family holiday around it.

Key points to know

• Surf instruction is the main event: Six hours of lessons and surf equipment are included, with the exact lesson schedule not specified.
• The group can reach 12: It is presented as a small-group camp, but the maximum party size is larger than a typical class of six.
• The campsite is on Malibu Family Wines property: You get a private tent and camping kit on a 1,000-acre property, with wine available to buy.
• Meals are part of the package: Lunch, dinner, breakfast, and snacks are included; dietary needs should be shared when booking.
• Day two adds a mountain swim: A hike to a swimming hole includes the option to take a dip and cliff jump.
• Verify that it is running: One booking account reported that the activity no longer existed, despite the high overall rating.

A surf weekend with a night away from the city

This two-day outing is built around a clear beginner’s promise: spend substantial time learning to surf, then sleep outdoors rather than rush back to Los Angeles after the lesson. Eat Sleep Surf provides transportation from a meeting point in the city, along with surfboards and wetsuits, so you do not need to assemble a pile of gear before you start.

That practical setup matters if you are new to surfing. You can focus on the lesson instead of figuring out which board to rent or how to get to a beach break. The advertised six hours of instruction is a generous share of a short trip, though the schedule does not say exactly how those hours are divided or how much time you will spend in the water.

The trip also has a broader rhythm than a standard surf class. Day one combines the Pacific Coast Highway, a Malibu surf spot, and a campsite; day two starts with coffee and breakfast before a hike and swim in the Santa Monica Mountains. That mix should appeal if you want an active weekend, not just a first lesson followed by an immediate return to town.

Following the Pacific Coast Highway to Malibu

The group meets at 4375 Berryman Ave in Los Angeles, then heads north along Pacific Coast Highway 1. The drive is part of the outing, not just a transfer: the guide points out well-known surf spots and celebrity homes as the road follows the Malibu coast.

The destination is described as a secluded surf spot for the lessons. That sounds appealing for a first-timer who may prefer a less crowded setting, but the exact beach is not named in the available details. You cannot use the description to predict the break, wave conditions, or what the surf will be like on your departure date.

The six hours of instruction are the core value here. A beginner can use the time to work through the basics and get repeated practice, rather than try to master surfing in a single short class. Still, the description does not specify instructor-to-student ratios, the lesson format, or whether all six hours take place on day one. Ask about those details if you are comparing it with a stand-alone lesson.

The maximum group size is 12. That is still a limited group, but it is worth noting that small group does not necessarily mean six people or fewer. If personal coaching is your priority, confirm how many people will be in the surf lesson itself.

Surf conditions and weather can shape the day. The activity says it operates in all weather, while also noting that poor weather can prompt a cancellation and a different date or full refund. Those statements leave some room for interpretation: ordinary uncomfortable weather may not stop the outing, while conditions considered poor enough may. Check with the operator if the forecast is a concern.

Camping on Malibu Family Wines property

After the surf session, the group goes to its campsite on the 1,000-acre property of Malibu Family Wines. The plan is to set up tents, relax, cook a barbecue dinner, and watch the sunset. It is an appealing change of pace after a long lesson, especially if you like the idea of sleeping outdoors without arranging your own campsite or hauling equipment from home.

The package includes a private tent, sleeping bag, inflatable mat, and camping reservation. These basics make the overnight practical, but the details do not say what else is supplied or what you should pack. Bring clothing suited to outdoor conditions and check with the operator about any personal camping items you prefer to have.

Dinner is included, and wine is available for purchase. The wine is not part of the package, so budget separately if you want to try it. The property setting gives the evening a different feel from camping at a busy public campground, though it is still a group trip, not a solitary retreat.

Food is a useful part of the value. Lunch and dinner on the first day, breakfast the next morning, and snacks are listed as included. You are asked to advise the operator of dietary requirements when booking. Do that early rather than assume a specific menu will suit you; beyond oatmeal and fresh fruit at breakfast, the meals are not described in detail.

The campsite’s appeal depends in part on your comfort with basic outdoor sleeping. A private tent offers your own space, but this is still camping. If you need a room, a private bathroom, or a more predictable level of comfort, the overnight may be the deciding drawback.

A slower morning, then a Santa Monica Mountains swim

Day two begins at the campsite with coffee or tea and a light breakfast of oatmeal and fresh fruit. Sunrise is recommended, which makes sense if you want to enjoy the view before packing up. The morning portion is scheduled for about three hours, after which the group leaves for the next stop.

The final outing is a hike in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area to a local swimming spot. The plan is to take a dip and, for those who choose, cliff jump into deep water. This gives the trip a second kind of outdoor activity and a chance to see a scenic part of Malibu beyond the coast.

Cliff jumping is optional in practice as described: the plan includes a swim and the chance to jump, not a requirement that everyone do it. If you are uneasy with heights or water entry, you can decide what feels right for you. The details do not give the trail length, elevation change, or swimming-hole access conditions, so ask before booking if those specifics matter to you.

The schedule allows about three hours for this stop. The exact split between hiking and swimming is not stated, and conditions at a natural swimming spot can vary. This is an active finish, not a guaranteed relaxing pool visit.

What the package includes, and what it does not

Transport, six hours of surf instruction, boards, wetsuits, camping reservations, a private tent, sleeping bag, inflatable mat, meals, and snacks are included. GoPro video is not included. The package therefore covers most of the major logistics that can add friction to a beginner surf weekend.

No price is provided here, so it is not possible to judge the exact cost against alternatives. In value terms, compare the total package with the cost of arranging a surf lesson, equipment rental, transport, campsite, sleeping gear, and meals separately. The guided route and overnight setup may be especially worthwhile if you do not have a car or camping kit.

There are limits to what you can evaluate in advance. The exact surf location, group size within the 12-person maximum, daily lesson timing, food menu, and hiking distance are not specified. Those are sensible questions to put to the operator before you pay, particularly if the trip is a centerpiece of your LA visit.

The availability warning deserves attention

The experience has a strong 4.8 rating from 26 reviews, and 96% of travelers recommend it. Those figures suggest that many people who took part valued the trip. But they do not resolve a troubling operational question: one one-star account says the experience no longer existed and describes a family who had flown to LA with children before discovering the problem.

That is a serious warning, not a minor complaint about a late start or an underwhelming meal. I would verify directly with Eat Sleep Surf that the two-day trip is operating on your exact dates, that the meeting point is current, and that the surf and camping portions are confirmed. Do this before booking nonrefundable flights or hotels. A high rating is useful, but it cannot substitute for confirmation that the activity is available now.

Cancellation terms also deserve a quick check. Cancel at least six full days before the start for a full refund; cancel two to six days ahead for a 50% refund; within two days, there is no refund. Changes are not accepted inside those same cutoff periods. If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, a different date or a full refund is offered.

Who should consider this surf camp

This outing is best suited to an active beginner who wants more than a single surf lesson and is happy to camp for a night. It is also a good fit if you like having transport, equipment, meals, and the campsite arranged together, and if a mix of coast, camp, and mountain swimming sounds better than spending the whole weekend in one place.

It may be less suitable if you want a highly tailored lesson, need detailed information about surf conditions in advance, prefer indoor accommodation, or do not want to hike and swim on the second day. Families can consider it, but anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult, and the availability warning makes advance confirmation especially important before travelling with children.

The activity is near public transportation, though the meeting point is the specified Los Angeles address and transport from there is included. It ends back at that same meeting point. Most people can participate, but you should advise the operator of relevant medical conditions and dietary needs.

Should you book it?

If Eat Sleep Surf confirms the trip is running, this is an appealing way to turn a beginner surf lesson into a full weekend outdoors. The strongest reasons to go are the six hours of instruction, included equipment and meals, private tent, and the change of scene from Malibu’s coast to the mountains.

I would not book it on the strength of the rating alone. First get direct confirmation for your dates and ask about the lesson schedule, group size, surf location, and hike. If those answers are clear and you are comfortable camping, the package offers a distinctive mix of instruction and outdoor time. If the operator cannot confirm that it exists and is operating, choose another plan.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts at 4375 Berryman Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90066, and ends back at the same meeting point.

How long is the experience?

The experience lasts approximately two days, with an overnight camp.

How much surf instruction is included?

Six hours of surfing instruction are included. The exact division of lesson time across the two days is not specified.

Are surfboards and wetsuits provided?

Yes. Surfboards and wetsuits are included.

What camping equipment is provided?

A private tent, sleeping bag, and inflatable mat are included, along with camping reservations.

Are meals included?

Yes. Lunch, dinner, breakfast, and snacks are included. Breakfast is described as oatmeal and fresh fruit, with coffee or tea available in the morning.

Is wine included at the campsite?

No. Wine is available for purchase at Malibu Family Wines.

Can children take part?

Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

What is the cancellation policy?

Cancel at least six full days before the start for a full refund. Cancellations two to six full days ahead receive a 50% refund, and cancellations less than two full days ahead are not refunded. If the activity is canceled because of poor weather, a different date or full refund is offered.