Un Mar de Colores · Sunset Cliffs, CA
Free Monday–Friday Surf Camp on the Sunset Cliffs Coast
Summer cohorts across San Diego — Sunset Cliffs families enroll through school counselors and partner orgs.
Un Mar de Colores runs free summer surf camps for Sunset Cliffs youth ages 6–17. Each week-long Monday–Friday cohort combines morning surf instruction at Sunset Cliffs and Ab Seven Stairs (closest breaks to Sunset Cliffs) with afternoons of marine ecology, cultural arts, and Kumeyaay coastal history. Priority enrollment goes to students of Point Loma High. Wetsuits, soft-top boards, daily lunch, and round-trip transportation are all included.
Schedule — Sunset Cliffs Program Days
Summer (June–August), Monday–Friday cohorts · Completely free
You Might Be Feeling This
- —Your child tried a pricey camp once and spent most of the week watching others catch waves.
- —School counselors mention programs, but 'free' surf camps always seem to have a catch or a waitlist.
- —Competition pathways feel reserved for kids whose parents already know the contest circuit. Camp is where that gap starts.
What Changes When Youth Get in the Water
- Five consecutive days build real surf progression — whitewater to unbroken waves at your child's pace.
- Your family joins a BIPOC-led movement rewriting coastal access across San Diego County — not a tourist camp.
- Grant- and donor-funded model means zero tuition — no deposits, no equipment rental upsells.
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
Surf Camp in Sunset Cliffs — What You Should Know
Free surf camp for Sunset Cliffs youth is part of a broader Cali-Baja movement — ocean access, watershed health, and cultural arts — documented across our partner network in San Diego County.
Week-long surf camp in Sunset Cliffs should combine daily in-water progression with afternoon enrichment — not four hours of standing practice and a pizza party. Our curriculum integrates marine biology, Kumeyaay coastal history, and cultural arts workshops every afternoon.
Why Sunset Cliffs Matters to Our Mission
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.
Sunset Cliffs families deserve instructors who look like their kids and speak their language. With 34% BIPOC residents, bilingual coaching isn't a nice-to-have — it's how we earn trust on day one.
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
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.
- →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 Sunset Cliffs 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
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 — Surf Camp in Sunset Cliffs
Is lunch provided during surf camp?+
Yes — every camp day includes free lunch and snacks. Sunset Cliffs families don't need to pack meals or pay hidden food fees. We accommodate common dietary needs — contact us at enrollment to discuss specifics.
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 Sunset Cliffs are welcome. We provide a photo album documenting the week.
Are surf camps in Sunset Cliffs taught in Spanish?+
Yes — all programming is bilingual. In Sunset Cliffs, where 15% of households are Spanish-speaking, bilingual coaches lead every session and parent communications arrive in both English and Spanish.
Are surf camp 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 surf camp 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 6–17. 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 surf camp 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?
Support the movement or enroll your youth — Un Mar de Colores is building coastal access for Sunset Cliffs families.
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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