Un Mar de Colores · Sunset Cliffs, CA
Sunset Cliffs After-School Program — Ocean Stewards, Free Tue–Thu
Three afternoons a week — tutoring, environmental science, and Thursday beach days — zero cost for Sunset Cliffs families.
Un Mar de Colores runs its flagship Ocean Stewards After-School Program for Sunset Cliffs 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 Ab Seven Stairs (closest breaks to Sunset Cliffs). Our Sunset Cliffs cohort draws primarily from Point Loma High. Transportation, meals, tutoring, and surf instruction are entirely free.
Schedule — Sunset Cliffs Program Days
Tuesday–Thursday, year-round · Completely free
You Might Be Feeling This
- —Your teen sees surfing on social media but has no pathway that doesn't require money, connections, or a car to Sunset Cliffs and Ab Seven Stairs.
- —Your teen tried a generic youth program and left bored — they need mentorship, not another room full of strangers.
- —School ends at 3pm and you're at work — unstructured hours in Sunset Cliffs feel risky when options are thin.
What Changes When Youth Get in the Water
- Pathways to surf therapy, ocean stewardship cleanups, and Surf Athletic Scholarships open from Ocean Stewards.
- Certified tutors support math, reading, and writing — homework help that actually improves grades in San Diego Unified School District.
- Healthy snacks and meals every session — no packing stress for working Sunset Cliffs families.
Why We Run This Program in Sunset Cliffs
Sunset Cliffs is an advanced-only surf zone — we do not teach beginners here. Instead, our Sunset Cliffs programming focuses on our Surf Athletic Scholarship athletes and shoreline environmental stewardship at Sunset Cliffs Natural Park, partnering with the San Diego Park & Recreation Department on tide-pool conservation days.
- Population
- 14,000
- BIPOC residents
- 34%
- Spanish-speaking households
- 15%
- Distance to beach
- Coastal
After-School Program in Sunset Cliffs — What You Should Know
Looking for free after-school for teens in Sunset Cliffs? Every Ocean Stewards week includes certified tutoring, environmental literacy, healthy snacks, transportation, and Thursday surf sessions at breaks like Sunset Cliffs and Ab Seven Stairs — reinforcing science with ocean experience.
Environmental after-school in Sunset Cliffs should cover watershed-to-ocean science — especially Tijuana River cross-border pollution and why local beaches close after storms. Ocean Stewards curriculum integrates hydrology, policy, and coastal resilience.
Why Sunset Cliffs Matters to Our Mission
Sunset Cliffs's Spanish-speaking households (15%) get parent communications in both languages, every time. Coastal access fails when language is treated as an afterthought.
Sunset Cliffs's relationship to the Pacific is complicated by history and economics. Our curriculum weaves Kumeyaay coastal stewardship, environmental justice, and culturally grounded instruction into every session — not as an add-on, but as the foundation.
Local Sunset Cliffs Partners & Referral Sources
In partnership with San Diego Unified School District and local community organizations, we recruit youth from 1+ Title I schools.
School district & Title I partners
- San Diego Unified School District
- •Point Loma High
Community partners
- ◆Sunset Cliffs Natural Park Council
- ◆Point Loma Surfers Association
- ◆San Diego Park & Recreation Department
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 Sunset Cliffs 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
Un Mar de Colores is recognized by partners including the San Diego Foundation, Surfrider San Diego, WILDCOAST, and school districts across San Diego — not a pop-up program, a sustained movement.
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 Sunset Cliffs
How much does after-school cost in Sunset Cliffs?+
Ocean Stewards in Sunset Cliffs is 100% free — tutoring, environmental science, Thursday surf sessions, healthy snacks, and transportation from partner schools. Commercial tutoring in San Diego County often costs $40–$80 per hour. We fund access through grants and donors so Sunset Cliffs families never pay.
How do parent engagement sessions work?+
We host parent and guardian engagement sessions throughout the year — bilingual updates on curriculum, safety protocols, college prep timelines, and opportunities for family participation. Sunset Cliffs families stay informed, not sidelined.
Can my teen join if they don't surf yet?+
Absolutely — many Ocean Stewards teens start Thursday sessions with limited ocean experience. We build water comfort progressively in supervised zones with certified bilingual coaches. No swimming test required.
Are after-school program in Sunset Cliffs really free?+
Yes. All Un Mar de Colores programs in Sunset Cliffs are 100% free — including 3/2mm wetsuits, soft-top surfboards, transportation from partner schools like Point Loma High, and certified bilingual instruction. Funding comes from the San Diego Foundation, community grants, and individual donors. No Sunset Cliffs family has ever paid for our programming.
Where exactly do after-school program happen in Sunset Cliffs?+
Primary water sessions run at Sunset Cliffs. Classroom components happen at Sunset Cliffs Natural Park Council and other partner sites. All water activities happen within lifeguard-flag zones.
What ages can enroll in Sunset Cliffs?+
We serve youth ages 13–17. In Sunset Cliffs specifically, our recruitment runs through San Diego Unified School District — with priority enrollment for students from Point Loma High. 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 Sunset Cliffs, 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 Sunset Cliffs?+
Yes. All Un Mar de Colores programs are bilingual — and in Sunset Cliffs, where 15% 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 Sunset Cliffs?+
Three ways: (1) everything is free, while most Sunset Cliffs surf programs charge $50–$150 per lesson; (2) we are BIPOC-led and our coaches reflect the 34%-BIPOC Sunset Cliffs 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 Sunset Cliffs, not just those who can afford access.
How do I sign my Sunset Cliffs child up?+
Visit our sign-up page or contact us directly. Priority enrollment goes to students of Point Loma High and referrals from Sunset Cliffs Natural Park Council and Point Loma Surfers Association. 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 Sunset Cliffs participants.
All Un Mar de Colores programs are free for Sunset Cliffs 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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