Top Santa Monica Classes & Workshops

Learn to surf at one of California’s most famous spots during this introductory surfing class at Venice Beach. This class is suitable for all levels, whether it's your first time surfing or you are advancing your skills. Spend some time training on the beach, then hop in the Pacific Ocean for instruction in the water, followed by time for practice.

Immerse yourself in the SoCal lifestyle—and learn the basics of surfing in an accessible, hands-on way—with private surfing lessons. Choose from multiple convenient class times, and meet your instructor right on the legendary Venice Beach. With personalized guidance, you’ll learn the basics on the beach before grabbing your board and trying out your skills in the waves.

Learn how to hang ten with a surf lesson in Venice Beach. Before you head into the water, you’ll learn about board design and dynamics, ocean safety, surf etiquette, pop-up technique, and form. Plus, learn about California surf culture. The lesson includes all of the necessary equipment: surfboard and a wetsuit.

Kapowui, was awarded best surf school in Venice beach for the last 5 years in a row. Kapowui is a family run business and and an icon of southern California. We live, eat, and dream surfing and teach surfing because we want to share our love and stoke for the sport. This is a life choice for us and what gives our lives meaning. All of Kapowui's instructors are imbued with the Aloha spirit, live within blocks of the beach (4 of them live in surf vans), surf every day and have many years teaching experience. When we are doing a lesson with you, we are 100% focused and in the moment with you. At Kapowui we truly care about your experience. Whether surfing is a one time bucket list item or a new sport you want to pick up, we will have you up riding waves, 100% guaranteed! Additionally you will be immersed in the surf culture, giving you the opportunity to feel the true surfer vibe, while learning a skill you can use forever.

When you take a surfing lesson from Kapowui, you are learning from the best. Not only do our instructors live, eat and dream surfing, they are imbued with the Aloha spirit, live within blocks of the beach (4 of them live in surf vans), surf every day and are experienced teachers. Come feel the surfer vibes with us, and we'll be sure to have you up riding a wave!

Visit many of Los Angeles’s highlights and landmarks on one fun and convenient outing. Learn about LA history and culture—its historic filming locations and crime scenes, celebrity homes and trendy restaurants—from a narrator as you traverse the city in a convertible bus. Stop at the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Rodeo Drive, a farmer's market for lunch, and the Hollywood Sign on this easy and affordable tour.

Leave the bustle of Los Angeles behind—and explore peaceful Catalina Island at your own pace—with this convenient package deal. In the morning, meet your driver directly at your LA accommodation, hop aboard your vehicle, and then transfer to the ferry to Catalina Island, where you can admire the seaside views. Once on the island, head to the Undersea Expedition (tickets included), and explore the sights independently.

Swap the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles for something a bit more relaxing—a scenic ferry trip to Catalina Island. Once you arrive, enjoy a guided tour of the main city of Avalon to help you get your bearings, and learn about its top sights. No need to worry about rushing back—the tour factors in some free time to explore Avalon’s shops, restaurants, and famous landmarks independently.

Cruise around Malibu in a vintage 1972 VW camper van on this half-day tour. Take in scenic views of the area’s coastline and mountain landscapes as you see popular attractions like Malibu Pier. Plus, make a short visit to a winery for a tasting. Choose between a morning or afternoon departure time.

Soak up the sand, surf and sun of the waterfront cities of Venice, Santa Monica and Marina del Rey during this 3-hour sightseeing trip aboard an electric-powered Cadillac Escalade limo. Feel like a Hollywood player as you cruise the streets of these beachfront meccas aboard your open-air ride, enjoying live commentary from a guide during the trip. Along the way you’ll also have 90 minutes to enjoy these areas’ excellent shopping and dining options on foot.

Santa Monica is one of the best neighborhoods to explore by bike with its colorful characters, sights and sounds. Since it's also an artistic and creative area of LA, this tour seizes the opportunity to introduce you to legal graffiti street galleries and the best of the local sculpture and architecture. Clocking in at nearly three hours long, this two-wheeled adventure will leave your legs a bit more toned and your stomach ready for lunch.

Open your eyes to photographic techniques that make better photographs. This 2.5 hour class meets at Santa Monica's Camera Obscura Building to go over the basics of DSLR camera usage, visual theory and photographic composition. Then, try out these new skills around the beautiful Santa Monica beach and pier. The instructor, a professional commercial photographer, will help you understand the concepts and improve your pictures.

At WaveHuggers, our passion is sharing the fun of surfing as well as the importance of ocean conservation. When you book this private group surf lesson in Santa Monica, you’ll learn how to surf on the waves as well as how to protect the ocean. Our instructors are highly-trained and CPR-certified and teach about surfing safety, etiquette, technique, tides, and ocean conditions. Come shred with us!

Class taught by the Winner of Art Battle Los Angeles, Flo Mena. Born and raised in Chile, Flo Mena has been attracted to art since she was a small child. At the age of 14 the young artist underwent ART THERAPY as a form of coping, where she found her true language of communication with the world. It was then that she began to discover a deep yearning to create. Art became her source of healing and self-realization. Influenced by movies, nature, and traveling, she has used drawing and painting as a method of self-discovery and personal expression.

Cruise the iconic Pacific Coast Highway in our signature open air buses, and enjoy some of Southern California's top surf spots. Any level of surf experience can be accommodated. We take care of the gear, transportation and expertise, you just bring your good vibes and enthusiasm!

What makes my activity unique are my years of experience, sense of humor, and ability to connect with people. People who like and feel comfortable with their photographer look amazing in their photos. I am a very likable person.