San Marcos's Free Cultural Arts by Un Mar de Colores

Kumeyaay elders participate in coastal storytelling and living culture modules alongside visual arts — elders as teachers, not symbols. San Marcos Indigenous and Latino youth learn cultural depth commercial surf culture erases.

Yes — we partner with Title I schools for culturally grounded arts field experiences. Contact Un Mar to coordinate a San Marcos classroom or after-school arts session.

Immersive multi-day residencies with professional BIPOC guest artists — deeper creation than single quarterly workshops. Free for San Marcos youth including supplies, mentorship, and exhibition output. Commercial residencies often charge tuition.

Yes. All Un Mar de Colores programs in San Marcos are 100% free — including 3/2mm wetsuits, soft-top surfboards, transportation from partner schools like Alvin Dunn Elementary, Paloma Elementary, San Marcos Elementary, and certified bilingual instruction. Funding comes from the San Diego Foundation, community grants, and individual donors. No San Marcos family has ever paid for our programming.

San Marcos is 11 miles inland from the coast, so our cohorts are shuttled to Carlsbad Tamarack (11 miles) — our nearest Un Mar teaching beach. Classroom components including curriculum, cultural arts, and tutoring happen at California State University San Marcos (student volunteers) and partner schools inside San Marcos.

We serve youth ages All ages. In San Marcos specifically, our recruitment runs through San Marcos Unified School District — with priority enrollment for students from Alvin Dunn Elementary, Paloma Elementary, San Marcos Elementary and 2 other Title I schools. Cohorts are age-appropriate (One Ocean for 6–12, Ocean Stewards for 13–17).

No. We begin every cohort with ocean-safety fundamentals in chest-deep whitewater at Carlsbad Tamarack (11 miles), supervised by instructors certified by the San Diego Fire-Rescue Lifeguard Division. Water comfort is built progressively. In San Marcos, we also run pre-cohort pool-familiarization sessions at inland pools via our California State University San Marcos (student volunteers) partnership for students who request extra comfort-building.

Yes. All Un Mar de Colores programs are bilingual — and in San Marcos, where 37% 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.

Three ways: (1) everything is free, while most San Marcos surf programs charge $50–$150 per lesson; (2) we are BIPOC-led and our coaches reflect the 51%-BIPOC San Marcos 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 San Marcos, not just those who can afford access.

Visit our sign-up page or contact us directly. Priority enrollment goes to students of Alvin Dunn Elementary, Paloma Elementary, San Marcos Elementary and referrals from California State University San Marcos (student volunteers) and San Marcos Unified School District. Summer cohorts fill 3–4 weeks before start, so early contact is recommended.