Traveler's California Surf Road Trip

If you're looking to embark on your dream California surf trip but; - aren't sure where to go - don't want to travel with your boards or wetsuits - are looking for friends along the way - then look no further! We have the perfect itinerary with all the classic coastal California road-trip stops, this itinerary will give you the full experience using Traveler Surf Club outposts as your surf destinations where you can rent high-quality boards, and wetsuits, get local knowledge on where to surf, then take a hot shower and continue on your way! This itinerary is tried and true by surf photographer Michaela Rabinov and surfers Danielle Black Lyons, Jenayl Peters, and Naomi Folta.

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Day 1 - Pacifica

Fly into San Francisco & pick your van or car up at Moterra Campervans before heading down to Pacifica to begin your trip.

San Francisco International Airport

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San Francisco's main airport. We recommend flying into here to begin your trip.

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Moterra Campervans

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Moterra Campervans offers luxury Mercedes Sprinter van rentals that come fully loaded with everything you need for your trip. Depending on your needs, choose from three van setups that can sleep 2-5 people. Each van comes fully equipped with all your cooking needs, towels, memory foam mattresses, camping chairs, cleaning supplies, bedding, and more.

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Then head straight to Pacifica to Traveler Surf Club to pick up some boards & wetsuits.

Traveler Surf Club & Coastal Outpost

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Traveler Surf Club Pacifica is Traveler's original shop. Located steps from Linda Mar Beach, one of the best beaches in the Bay Area for surfers of all levels, you can rent your gear here, walk to the beach, and then shower and sauna after your session. Traveler Surf Club Pacifica offers: - Surfboard rentals, including fiberglass demos - Surf lessons and coaching - Local knowledge - Personal lockers - Hot outdoor showers - A dry cedar sauna - An outdoor patio to hang out at with heated outdoor furniture - Beach cruiser bikes with board racks - Changing rooms & restrooms - Hydration station with hot tea - Cool vibes Traveler Surf Club is a one-stop-shop for all your surf needs!

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Then head out for a morning surf!

Pacifica State Beach - Linda Mar

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Located steps from Traveler Surf Club Pacifica, Linda Mar Beach offers a variety of breaks for all different levels of surfing. Chat with the staff at Traveler to figure out which break is best for your surfing level!

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Grab lunch

Enjoy snacks you have in your van, or grab lunch at one of these Pacifica favorites.

Soul Grind Coffee Roasters

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Located in the same center as Traveler Surf Club, Soul Grind offers delicious locally roasted coffee, breakfast foods, sandwiches, soups, salads, and more. They have indoor & outdoor seating.

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Humble Sea Brewing Co.

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Located in the same center as Traveler Surf Club, Humble Sea was started in Santa Cruz, and now has a couple of different taprooms, our favorite being this one in Pacifica. They brew their own local beer and serve some of the best tots we've ever had. The rest of their food menu is great too. They also have indoor & outdoor seating and a cool kooky vibe.

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Taco Bell

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Yes, it's a taco bell, but it's Taco Bell's only beachfront cantina, and it's famous here in Pacifica, so you might want to check it out after your surf...maybe not before.

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In the afternoon, enjoy a hike at Mori Point or go for another surf.

Mori Point

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This 110-acre park is located on a bluff in Pacifica with a variety of walking and hiking trails that lead to beautiful views of the coastline.

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Pacifica Skatepark

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If you skateboard, check this park out. It's just down the street from Traveler.

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In the evening, head to your campground for dinner, or enjoy dinner out in Pacifica.

Dinner Options in Pacifica

Humble Sea Brewing Co.

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Taco Bell

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Yes, it's a taco bell, but it's Taco Bell's only beachfront cantina, and it's famous here in Pacifica, so you might want to check it out after your surf...maybe not before.

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Nick's Rockaway

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We recommend making a reservation for Nick's if you want a taste of old-town Pacifica while you're here. The menu is classic coastal and the vibe is dark and local - in a good way. They often also have live music.

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Recommended Camping

Francis Beach Campground

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Located just south of Pacifica in Half Moon Bay, this is the best place to camp in the area. This beachfront campground offers tent, van, and basic RV sites, beautiful views, bathrooms, and coin-operated showers. Book your reservation under Half Moon Bay SB on Reserve California.

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If you don't want to camp

Fairfield Inn & Suites San Francisco Pacifica

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This hotel is reasonably priced, in a great location, has large comfortable rooms, and a great continental breakfast included with your stay.

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Day 2 - Santa Cruz

Wake up in the morning & head south to Santa Cruz.

Stop into Traveler Santa Cruz to pick up some new rental boards & wetsuits.

Traveler Surf Club & Coastal Outpost

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Traveler Surf Club Santa Cruz is located steps from the Hook and Pleasure Point on the east side of Santa Cruz, with dozens of well-groomed peaks and year-round swells. Traveler Surf Club curates and offers the best surf retail products including wetsuits, fins, boards, wax, and more. Many of our brands are owned and operated in California and focus on eco-friendly manufacturing practices. Traveler Santa Cruz offers high-quality fiberglass surfboard rentals designed and built by local shapers as part of our Board Demo program. In partnership with Public Bikes, customers have access to beach cruisers with board racks, so they can access multiple breaks along the cliff. TSC Santa Cruz offers surfboard storage, lessons, and coaching for surfers at all levels. Traveler Surf Club Santa Cruz offers: - Surfboard rentals, including fiberglass demos - Surf lessons and coaching - Local knowledge - Personal lockers - Hot outdoor showers - An outdoor patio to hang out at with heated outdoor furniture - Beach cruiser bikes with board racks - Changing rooms & restrooms - Hydration station with hot tea - Cool vibes Traveler Surf Club is a one-stop-shop for all your surf needs!

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Surf at Pleasure Point or the Hook

Pleasure Point

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One of Santa Cruz's most famous surf breaks, this beach offers a couple of different points that can break differently based on the swell. Here you'll find a wave good for any level, again, based on the swell. Have a chat with someone on the Traveler team at the shop about which peak to paddle out to.

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The Hook

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Take the stairs down to the water across the street from the parking lot and paddle out to the Hook. Depending on the swell, this point break offers a really fun longboarding wave.

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Grab lunch in Santa Cruz or eat in your van.

Verve Coffee Roasters

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Serving up some great coffee, snacks, and sandwiches, Verve is a Santa Cruz staple if you're looking for a quick bite or a caffeine fix.

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Pleasure Pizza East Side Eatery

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Nothing better than a good slice after a surf.

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Spend the afternoon hanging around Santa Cruz, surf again, or explore the town.

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

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If you've never been to Santa Cruz, you probably should check out the boardwalk. Really go for it & have an afternoon here, or just walk it and take in the vibes.

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Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park

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Just 15 minutes outside of Santa Cruz, Henry Cowell Redwoods offers several hiking and walking trails that will have you fully believe in the power of forest bathing.

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In the evening, head to your campground for dinner - or eat in town.

Dinner options

My Thai Beach

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Just some classically good Thai food.

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HOME

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If you're looking for something a bit more upscale & creative, this charming restaurant offers a menu serving items made with local produce.

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Recommended Camping

Campground | New Brighton State Beach

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This beautiful campground is located right on New Brighton State Beach, with direct beach access, gorgeous eucalyptus walkways, and large, clean campsites for tents, vans, and RV's. Reservations can be made on ReserveCalifornia.com

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If you don't want to camp

Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection

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This downtown Santa Cruz Hotel offers a beautiful outdoor pool, clean modern rooms, and an on-site restaurant.

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Day 3 - Big Sur

Wake up the next morning & head down the coast into Big Sur.

Spend the day exploring Big Sur. Here are our recommended stops:

Garrapata State Park

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This beautiful state park is located on the north side of Big Sur. There are a number of coastal trails you can take, and a large beach that's optimal for hanging out at as long as the wind isn't too strong.

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Bixby Creek Bridge

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Perhaps one of the most iconic views in Big Sur, this is the unofficial north entry point to the area. It's a must-do photo-op. Just try not to stop traffic.

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Andrew Molera State Park

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This park has a beautiful coastal trail that will take you to the beach. It's a good spot to spend a couple of hours if you're looking to chill away from a bunch of people.

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Big Sur River Inn General Store

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This cute general store is a great spot to pick up snacks and lunch for the day if you want to take lunch with you to the beach or down a trail.

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Pfeiffer Beach

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This beach has purple-tinted sand! It's also one of the more iconic spots in Big Sur. The parking lot can fill up, so if this is a priority for you, plan on arriving as early as possible.

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Nepenthe

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An iconic Big Sur lunch spot. This place is kind of pricy, but you can't beat the views. Expect to wait if you arrive at a busy time.

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Henry Miller Memorial Library

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The cutest book store you might ever see, located in a grove of redwoods and featuring some pretty niche nature books.

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McWay Falls

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Another iconic Big Sur photo-op. This beautiful waterfall spills down onto the beach below. You can't access the beach itself, but there is a short trail that will take you to a view point above.

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Big Creek Cove Vista Point

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A beautiful spot to stop and take in all the coastal grandeur of Big Sur.

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Sand Dollar Beach

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Our favorite beach in Big Sur. It's pretty accessible and is a wonderful spot to hang out at low tide. There is also sometimes surf here.

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Recommended Camping

Kirk Creek Campground

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By all accounts, the most incredible campsite in Big Sur. This campground is located in the southern end of Big Sur and is the only campground situated on the coast side of Hwy 1. It offers stunning views of the coast and an all-around incredible vibe. Pit toilets are available. Book your site ahead of time on Recreation.gov.

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Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park Campground

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If you can't get a site at Kirk Creek Campground Pfeiffer is a good option. Situated amongst the redwoods, and more in the center of Big Sur, it offers easy access to lots to do in the area.

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Plaskett Creek Campground

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Located at the southern end of Big Sur, across the street from Sand Dollar Beach, this is another good camping option in Big Sur if you can't find a site at Kirk Creek.

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If you don't want to camp

There are a number of hotels and cabins you can rent in Big Sur. They sure can get pricy, but they're worth the splurge.

Day 4 - Central Coast

Wake up in the morning, make some coffee & head down the coast .

Make a quick stop to say hi to the elephant seals.

Elephant Seal Vista Point

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This beach is an elephant seal rookery, and pretty much any time of year, you'll get to see elephant seals resting here. They're hilarious and a must-see anytime you're in the area.

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Then enjoy some breakfast at Hidden Kitchen in Cayucos.

The Hidden Kitchen

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One of our absolute favorite breakfast spots on the entire California coast. This place offers an adorably cozy vibe and incredible scrambles, waffles, and smoothies.

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Then make your way down the coast, exploring some spots along the way.

Morro Rock

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This iconic rock located in Morro Bay is a great spot to stretch your legs on a long drive day.

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Montaña de Oro State Park

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A lesser-known, but incredibly beautiful California State Park, this park offers beautiful driving and some great hiking trails. Head down Sandspit Road for a different view of Morro Rock.

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Oceano Dunes Natural Preserve State Park

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This is the only beach in California that you can drive onto. It's a fun stop if you have the time.

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Rincon Beach

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They call this point break "the queen". If you've brought your own boards, jump in for a surf, otherwise, walk down to the beach to watch the surfers.

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Surfers Point at Seaside Park

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Ventura's classic surf break. Again, if you have your own boards, jump in here to catch some waves, otherwise, grab a beer at Madewest, or just walk down the promenade and watch the surfers.

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Then make your way into Malibu where you'll stop to spend the night at Surf Outpost, formerly known as Malibu Beach RV Park.

Surf Outpost

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Perhaps the nicest RV park you'll ever see, this campground is located on a bluff above Malibu with RV hookup sites, van sites, and tent sites. There are showers and bathrooms, as well as an on-site store selling some wonderfully curated goods, and a beautiful ocean overlooking park to hang out at.

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Day 5 - Malibu

Wake up in the morning & enjoy coffee & breakfast at Surf Outpost before heading to Traveler to rent some boards & wetsuits.

Traveler Surf Club & Coastal Outpost

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Traveler Surf Club Malibu is located in the Malibu Village Shopping Center, a short walk from Surfrider Beach, one of the most well-known point breaks in California. Traveler Surf Club curates and offers the best surf retail products including wetsuits, fins, boards, wax, and more. Many of our brands are owned and operated in California and focus on eco-friendly manufacturing practices. Traveler Santa Cruz offers high-quality fiberglass surfboard rentals designed and built by local shapers as part of our Board Demo program. In partnership with Public Bikes, customers have access to beach cruisers with board racks, so they can access multiple breaks along the cliff. TSC Santa Cruz offers surfboard storage, lessons, and coaching for surfers at all levels. Traveler Surf Club Malibu offers: - Surfboard rentals, including fiberglass demos - Surf lessons and coaching - Local knowledge - Personal lockers - An indoor patio to hang out at with heated furniture - Beach cruiser bikes with board racks - Changing rooms & restrooms - Hydration station with hot tea - Cool vibes Traveler Surf Club is a one-stop-shop for all your surf needs!

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Spend the day surfing in Malibu

Surfrider Beach

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Malibu's most famous surf break, First Point, Second Point, and Third Point are all accessible from this beach. First Point is the most common, especially for longboarding. All three breaks are right-point breaks. This beach is also optimal for hanging out and spending the day at.

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Leo Carrillo State Beach

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If you're looking for something a little more different, Leo Carrilo offers another right-point break that jumps off from a rock just off the beach. It's another beautiful beach to hang out at as well.

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Food & coffee in Malibu

If you want to dine out a bit while you're down in the 'bu, here are some of our favorites:

Blue Bottle Coffee

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Really good coffee, located in the same shopping area as Traveler.

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Broad Street Oyster Company

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Located in the same part of the Malibu shopping plaza as Traveler, Broad St has great oysters and seafood.

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Howdy's

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Really good breakfast burritos.

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Enjoy a second night at Surf Outpost before driving back up to San Francisco the next day to drop your van off & head home!

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Traveler Surf Club

Traveler’s origin story all began when former pro-longbarder surfer Julie Cox and her partner Rel Lavizzo-Mourey moved into a house without a garage. After resettling in San Francisco from southern California, they had to make a few key adjustments to their surf routine. First, they needed space to store board since their walk-up unit made for an awkward, ding-prone process of guiding 9-foot logs around a corner staircase and into a back room. Second, the chilly waters of the northern Pacific made peeling off 5/4 wetsuits in crowded parking lots a freezing-buns and out-of-breath experience. Lastly, finding time to talk waves with like-minded surfers was a bit more of a challenge as work, errands, and other adulting obligations cut into the post-surf wind-down sessions. So seeking these three things: Storage, Warmth, and Community sparked the idea for the first Traveler Surf Club… in 2016 the concept of a relaxing space with hot showers, surfboard lockers, changing rooms, and heated furniture took hold in Pacifica. Since then, the TSC concept has grown and evolved with each new location. As every break and surf community has its own needs and challenges, Julie and Rel have focused on building spaces that are tailored to fit the local vibe. While some spaces focus on services like fiberglass board demos, or high-level coaching, each TSC spot is a familiar place where the out-of-water experience is designed to bring stoke and good vibes to all who visit. The Surf Clubs provide amenities and services including surfboard storage lockers, hot showers, coaching lessons, and surfboard rentals, all within steps from four of California's most popular surfing spots in Malibu, Santa Cruz, and Pacifica. The adjoining Outposts sell outdoor-inspired gear, apparel, and home goods for those with an adventurous spirit.

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