Un Mar de Colores · San Diego County
Free Monday–Friday Surf Camp on the San Diego County Coast
Cultural arts afternoons — painting, poetry, storytelling — center Indigenous and Latino coastal voices.
- Ages
- 6–17
- Schedule
- Summer (June–August), Monday–Friday cohorts
- Cost
- Free
Our summer surf camps run Monday through Friday across North County and San Diego, serving BIPOC youth ages 6–17. Each one-week cohort combines four mornings of in-water surf instruction with afternoon programming in marine ecology, Kumeyaay coastal history, and cultural arts. Camps are capped at 18 students per cohort to maintain a 4:1 student-to-instructor ratio, and every camp ends with a Friday family showcase on the beach. Camps are entirely free — wetsuits, boards, transportation, daily lunch, and all materials included.
This hub connects San Diego County families to surf camp across 27 cities. Every city link below is a full local page with beaches, school partners, and enrollment paths — not an empty gateway.
You might be feeling this
- —Your student is curious about marine science but camps split surf and ecology into separate expensive enrollments.
- —Your teen and your younger child need different pacing, but most camps lump ages together without structure.
- —You live across coastal and inland communities from the coast and can't shuttle kids daily — transportation is the hidden camp cost.
- —You've seen 'scholarship' camps that still charge equipment deposits or lunch fees — the math never works.
What changes when youth get in the water
- Wetsuits, soft-top boards, and rashguards provided for the entire week — properly sized youth gear.
- Your family joins a BIPOC-led movement rewriting coastal access across San Diego County — not a tourist camp.
- Alumni coaches and scholarship recipients mentor campers — representation changes who believes they belong.
- Beach sites chosen for beginner safety — sandy bottoms, lifeguard coverage, manageable conditions near The Strand, Tamarack, Moonlight Beach, La Jolla Shores, Mission Beach, and Imperial Beach.
Surf Camp across San Diego County — what families should know
Sign-up friction keeps eligible San Diego County families out. We prioritize counselor referrals from partner Title I school districts across San Diego County and partner org introductions — contact us to route your child to the right summer cohort.
How much does surf camp cost in California? Commercial rates often run $400–$800 per week plus gear rental. Un Mar de Colores charges $0 — including five full days, equipment, transport, lunch, and Friday family showcase.
Looking for free summer surf camp for kids in San Diego County? Every cohort includes 3/2mm wetsuits, soft-top boards, rashguards, daily lunch, snacks, and ocean safety modules covering rip currents, tide awareness, and lineup etiquette.
Parents ask if surf camp in San Diego County requires swimming ability. We build water comfort progressively in supervised zones — many beginners start with limited pool experience and gain confidence within the first two camp days.
Why San Diego County is our service area
Cross-border watershed work matters to San Diego County because Tijuana River pollution and coastal health don't stop at a border fence. Our education modules name that reality honestly.
Safe, lifeguard-coordinated instruction is non-negotiable for San Diego County youth. Every water session runs inside flagged zones with certified coaches — parents shouldn't have to choose between access and safety.
Program curriculum & how it works
- →Daily in-water surf instruction (4 hrs/day)
- →Marine ecology & watershed education
- →Cultural arts workshops (painting, poetry, storytelling)
- →Kumeyaay coastal history and stewardship
- →Nutrition and hydration for athletes
- →Friday family showcase and celebration
What's included — free for every youth
- ✓5-day Monday–Friday full-day camp (8am–3pm)
- ✓Certified bilingual instructors (CPR + First Aid, 4:1 ratio)
- ✓Wetsuit, soft-top surfboard, and rashguard for the week
- ✓Free daily lunch and snacks
- ✓Round-trip transportation from Title I schools
- ✓Cultural arts and marine biology enrichment
- ✓Family showcase and photo album
Why Un Mar de Colores (E-E-A-T)
Un Mar de Colores is recognized by partners including the San Diego Foundation, Surfrider San Diego, WILDCOAST, and school districts across San Diego County — 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."”
Cities we serve — pick your community
Un Mar de Colores runs surf camp across 27 San Diego County cities. Each city page covers local beaches, school partners, and how to enroll — start with the community closest to your family.
- OceansideCoastal city
- CarlsbadCoastal city
- EncinitasCoastal city
- Cardiff by the SeaCoastal city
- Solana BeachCoastal city
- Del MarCoastal city
- La JollaCoastal city
- Pacific BeachCoastal city
- Mission BeachCoastal city
- Ocean BeachCoastal city
- Point LomaCoastal city
- Sunset CliffsCoastal city
- CoronadoCoastal city
- Imperial BeachCoastal city
- Chula Vista10 mi to beach
- National City8 mi to beach
- Vista7 mi to beach
- San Marcos11 mi to beach
- Escondido17 mi to beach
- San DiegoCoastal city
- Poway14 mi to beach
- Fallbrook22 mi to beach
- Bonita10 mi to beach
- Lemon Grove10 mi to beach
- El Cajon14 mi to beach
- Santee17 mi to beach
- Spring Valley12 mi to beach
Frequently asked questions — Surf Camp
Is lunch provided during surf camp?+
Yes — every camp day includes free lunch and snacks. San Diego County families don't need to pack meals or pay hidden food fees. We accommodate common dietary needs — contact us at enrollment to discuss specifics.
When do San Diego County surf camp cohorts run?+
Summer camps run June through August with Monday–Friday cohorts. Cohorts fill 3–4 weeks ahead — contact us early if you're enrolling from San Diego County for a specific week. Priority goes to Title I referrals and partner org introductions.
What happens on the Friday family showcase?+
Friday is graduation on the sand — campers demonstrate surf skills, share cultural arts projects from the week, and celebrate with families. Grandparents, siblings, and neighbors from San Diego County are welcome. We provide a photo album documenting the week.
How is Un Mar surf camp different from commercial camps near The Strand, Tamarack, Moonlight Beach, La Jolla Shores, Mission Beach, and Imperial Beach?+
Commercial camps optimize for paying tourists and locals with gear. Un Mar is a BIPOC-led nonprofit: free instruction, Title I partnerships, marine ecology and Kumeyaay history curriculum, and coaches who reflect San Diego County's communities. We're building access, not selling camp weeks.
Is transportation provided from San Diego County to surf camp?+
Round-trip shuttle transportation runs from partner Title I schools. If San Diego County is inland (across coastal and inland communities from the coast), we solve the daily commute — not your family. Coastal cohorts meet directly at local teaching beaches near The Strand, Tamarack, Moonlight Beach, La Jolla Shores, Mission Beach, and Imperial Beach.
Ready to get your child in the water?
Support the movement or enroll your youth — Un Mar de Colores is building coastal access for San Diego County families.
All Un Mar de Colores programs are free for BIPOC youth across San Diego County. Reach out to enroll, volunteer, or support the movement.
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