Un Mar de Colores · Point Loma, CA
College Prep, Ecology & Surf — Free in Point Loma
Career exploration in marine science, coastal conservation, and environmental justice — not generic job fairs.
Un Mar de Colores runs its flagship Ocean Stewards After-School Program for Point Loma teens ages 13–17, in partnership with San Diego Unified School District. Students meet three afternoons a week for tutoring, environmental literacy, and career exploration, with a Thursday beach day at Sunset Cliffs and Garbage Beach (closest breaks to Point Loma). Our Point Loma cohort draws primarily from Point Loma High, Cabrillo Elementary. Transportation, meals, tutoring, and surf instruction are entirely free.
Schedule — Point Loma Program Days
Tuesday–Thursday, year-round · Completely free
You Might Be Feeling This
- —School ends at 3pm and you're at work — unstructured hours in Point Loma feel risky when options are thin.
- —Your teen is curious about environmental justice but school curriculum skips why Point Loma beaches close after storms.
- —You want your teen learning about Tijuana River pollution and coastal policy — not just recycling slogans.
What Changes When Youth Get in the Water
- Alumni coaches and scholarship recipients mentor Thursday surf sessions — representation changes belonging.
- College preparation and counseling help Point Loma teens navigate applications, financial aid, and pathway decisions.
- Annual leadership retreat connects Point Loma teens with cohorts across San Diego — building county-wide community.
Why We Run This Program in Point Loma
Point Loma's Sunset Cliffs coastline is too advanced for beginner instruction, but our Point Loma youth cohorts travel to OB Pier and Dog Beach for water sessions, with dryland instruction at Cabrillo National Monument and Point Loma Nazarene University (our educational partner). The Kumeyaay coastal history of the peninsula is woven into every Point Loma cohort curriculum.
- Population
- 32,000
- BIPOC residents
- 34%
- Spanish-speaking households
- 17%
- Distance to beach
- Coastal
After-School Program in Point Loma — What You Should Know
Free after-school program in Point Loma for BIPOC teens ages 13–17 is Ocean Stewards — Un Mar de Colores's flagship year-round offering. Three afternoons weekly combine academic tutoring, environmental literacy, career exploration, and Thursday beach days with surf instruction at zero cost to families.
Free teen programs in San Diego combining academics and ocean access are rare. Un Mar funds Ocean Stewards through San Diego Foundation grants and community donors — operating since 2018 without charging Point Loma families.
Why Point Loma Matters to Our Mission
Point Loma sits inside San Diego County's coastal equity gap — 34% of residents identify as BIPOC, yet beach access has historically been gated by cost, transportation, and culture. Un Mar de Colores closes that gap with free programming and school-based recruitment.
Safe, lifeguard-coordinated instruction is non-negotiable for Point Loma youth. Every water session runs inside flagged zones with certified coaches — parents shouldn't have to choose between access and safety.
Local Point Loma Partners & Referral Sources
In partnership with San Diego Unified School District and local community organizations, we recruit youth from 2+ Title I schools.
School district & Title I partners
- San Diego Unified School District
- •Point Loma High
- •Cabrillo Elementary
Community partners
- ◆Cabrillo National Monument (NPS)
- ◆Point Loma Nazarene University
- ◆Point Loma Library
Program Curriculum
The Ocean Stewards After-School Program is Un Mar de Colores's flagship year-round offering for BIPOC teens ages 13–17. Three afternoons a week, students meet at partner school sites for academic tutoring, environmental literacy modules aligned with the California NGSS standards, career exploration, and college preparation. Every Thursday is a beach day — students head to The Strand, Tamarack, or Moonlight for water programming that reinforces the week's environmental science curriculum. The program runs during the full school year, connecting academic outcomes with coastal stewardship and career pathways in marine science.
- →Academic tutoring (math, reading, writing)
- →Environmental literacy and watershed science
- →Surf instruction (Thursday ocean sessions)
- →Career exploration in marine science and coastal conservation
- →College preparation and counseling
- →Mentorship pairings with Un Mar staff and alumni
What's Included — Free for Every Point Loma Youth
- ✓Three afternoons per week (3pm–6pm)
- ✓Weekly Thursday ocean session (beach day)
- ✓Healthy snacks and meals
- ✓Homework support with certified tutors
- ✓Round-trip transportation from partner schools
- ✓Parent/guardian engagement sessions
- ✓Annual leadership retreat
Why Un Mar de Colores
Our coaches include graduates of the Surf Athletic Scholarship program and bilingual educators who reflect the BIPOC communities we serve. We partner with 15+ Title I schools across North County and San Diego.
What our community says
“"He used to approach new activities with extreme anxiety — to the point where sometimes we couldn't even get out of the car. Now he goes much deeper into the water."”
Frequently Asked Questions — After-School Program in Point Loma
Are after-school programs in Point Loma bilingual?+
Yes — all programming is bilingual. In Point Loma, where 17% of households are Spanish-speaking, bilingual staff lead every session and parent communications arrive in both English and Spanish.
What pathways open after Ocean Stewards?+
Teens connect to surf therapy, ocean stewardship cleanups, year-round surf lessons, and the Surf Athletic Scholarship program. After-school is a long-term arc for Point Loma youth — not a single-semester program.
Is there an annual retreat for Ocean Stewards?+
Yes — an annual leadership retreat connects Point Loma teens with cohorts across San Diego. It's an opportunity to build county-wide community, deepen environmental leadership skills, and connect with alumni mentors.
Are after-school program in Point Loma really free?+
Yes. All Un Mar de Colores programs in Point Loma are 100% free — including 3/2mm wetsuits, soft-top surfboards, transportation from partner schools like Point Loma High, Cabrillo Elementary, and certified bilingual instruction. Funding comes from the San Diego Foundation, community grants, and individual donors. No Point Loma family has ever paid for our programming.
Where exactly do after-school program happen in Point Loma?+
Primary water sessions run at Sunset Cliffs. Classroom components happen at Cabrillo National Monument (NPS) and other partner sites. All water activities happen within lifeguard-flag zones.
What ages can enroll in Point Loma?+
We serve youth ages 13–17. In Point Loma specifically, our recruitment runs through San Diego Unified School District — with priority enrollment for students from Point Loma High, Cabrillo Elementary. Cohorts are age-appropriate (One Ocean for 6–12, Ocean Stewards for 13–17).
Does my child need to know how to swim before starting?+
No. We begin every cohort with ocean-safety fundamentals in chest-deep whitewater at Sunset Cliffs, supervised by instructors certified by the San Diego Fire-Rescue Lifeguard Division. Water comfort is built progressively. In Point Loma, we also run pre-cohort pool-familiarization sessions at local community pools for students who request extra comfort-building.
Are lessons taught in Spanish in Point Loma?+
Yes. All Un Mar de Colores programs are bilingual — and in Point Loma, where 17% of households are Spanish-speaking, we intentionally pair at least one bilingual coach to every session. Cultural programming is delivered in both languages, and parent communications are always sent in Spanish and English.
How is Un Mar de Colores different from other after-school program in Point Loma?+
Three ways: (1) everything is free, while most Point Loma surf programs charge $50–$150 per lesson; (2) we are BIPOC-led and our coaches reflect the 34%-BIPOC Point Loma community we serve; (3) our curriculum includes environmental justice, Kumeyaay coastal history, and cultural arts — not just surf skills. We exist because the ocean should belong to everyone in Point Loma, not just those who can afford access.
How do I sign my Point Loma child up?+
Visit our sign-up page or contact us directly. Priority enrollment goes to students of Point Loma High, Cabrillo Elementary and referrals from Cabrillo National Monument (NPS) and Point Loma Nazarene University. Summer cohorts fill 3–4 weeks before start, so early contact is recommended.
Ready to Get in the Water?
Free means free. No hidden fees, no gear costs, no transportation charges for Point Loma participants.
All Un Mar de Colores programs are free for Point Loma youth. Reach out to enroll, volunteer, or support the movement.
Un Mar de Colores is a BIPOC-led 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Oceanside, California. We provide free surf, ocean, and environmental programming for youth across San Diego and Tijuana — bridging cultures, coasts, and communities since 2018.
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