Palm Springs Surf Club Review: Cost, Tips & What to Expect

A local’s first-hand guide to the cost, wave levels, beginner tips, and what to expect before surfing at Palm Springs Surf Club.

Last Updated: 8 23, 2025 | Time To Read: 10 minutes | Author: Mark Miller | Category: Things To Do

After 15 years away from surfing — and a few heavy wipeouts — I finally surfed a perfect wave in the middle of the desert at the Palm Springs Surf Club.

As a Coachella Valley resident and former childhood surfer, the idea of surfing with the San Jacinto Mountains in the background felt almost impossible. Palm Springs is known for pools, golf, resorts, heat, midcentury design, and desert lifestyle — not usually for surfable waves.

But Palm Springs Surf Club changes that.

It feels like a mix between a surf park, private country club, resort pool, and futuristic desert playground. You walk in, hear waves crashing, see the massive blue pool, and immediately understand why people are curious about this place.

I booked a one-hour surf session, rented a board, accidentally ended up in an advanced wave session, got humbled quickly, caught one clean left, and left with a much better understanding of what first-timers should know before paddling out.

Here’s my honest Palm Springs Surf Club review, including what it cost, what the waves felt like, what I learned, and the tips I wish I knew before my first session.

Yes — Palm Springs Surf Club is absolutely worth trying if you are comfortable in the water and want one of the most unique experiences in the Coachella Valley.

My one-hour surf session cost $200, and board rental was another $40. A coach was available for an additional $100, and after going through the experience, I would strongly recommend booking one if you are new, rusty, or unsure which wave level to choose.

The biggest lesson from my visit: do not overestimate your surf ability.

I had surfed as a kid in Huntington Beach, but I had not surfed seriously in about 15 years. I mistakenly signed up for an advanced wave session, and while it made for a memorable story, it was much harder and more intimidating than I expected.

If you are a beginner or returning after a long break, start with a beginner or intermediate wave. You will have more fun, learn faster, and reduce the risk of getting overwhelmed.

Palm Springs Surf Club is a wave pool and resort-style surf destination in Palm Springs, California. It brings consistent, manmade surf waves to the Coachella Valley, creating something that feels completely unexpected in the desert.

The setting is part of what makes it so interesting. You are not looking out at the Pacific Ocean. You are looking at a crystal-blue pool with desert mountains behind it. The San Jacinto Mountains rise in the background, and the whole experience feels like the desert decided to borrow a piece of the coast.

The property is more than a surf pool, too. There are places to eat, drink, relax, and hang out before or after a session. It is the kind of place where you can surf, then sit in the shade with food and drinks while watching other people take waves.

That makes it a good experience even for people who are not surfing. If someone in your group wants to watch, take photos, or just enjoy the atmosphere, there is still plenty to see.

For my visit, the main costs were simple:

Prices can change, so check the official Palm Springs Surf Club booking page before reserving your session.

For me, the session itself was $200. Since I did not bring my own board, I rented one from the pro shop for $40 and had it waxed before the session.

At the time, a coach was available for an additional $100. I did not originally think I needed one, but after experiencing the wave pool, I think the coach is one of the smartest upgrades you can make — especially for your first time.

I did not originally plan to surf that day.

I brought swim trunks just in case, but my plan was to look around, watch a session, and get a feel for the place. At the pro shop, they suggested I watch before deciding. Once I saw the waves and the surfers, I knew I wanted to try.

My goal was simple: catch at least one wave.

When I asked what level the session was, I was told it was advanced. Instead of thinking carefully about what that meant, I basically said, “Why not?” and signed up.

That was probably my first mistake.

At 2:30 PM, I rented a board, got it waxed, and prepared for the session. The locker room and rental area had plenty of boards and gear for different sizes and ability levels. Everything felt organized, and the setup made it easy to go from curious visitor to active participant pretty quickly.

Before the waves start, you get time to paddle out and position yourself. That is when I immediately realized I was not in surfing shape.

Paddling is work. Paddling in the desert heat is even more work. And paddling when you are about to surf advanced artificial waves after 15 years away from the sport is humbling.

Still, I wanted that one wave.

The advanced waves were powerful, consistent, and much more intimidating than I expected.

In the ocean, every wave is different. You read the water, adjust to the conditions, and react to the break. At Palm Springs Surf Club, the wave is manmade and repeatable. That is a major advantage once you understand the rhythm, but it also means the wave comes with precision and force.

My first three or four attempts ended in heavy wipeouts.

Surfing works every muscle, and I felt that quickly. Between paddling, ducking, positioning, trying to pop up, and getting thrown underwater, I was exhausted within the first 20 minutes.

The wipeouts felt different from the beach breaks I grew up surfing in Huntington Beach. At Palm Springs Surf Club, the wave seems to build beneath you before pushing forward. When I fell early in the wave, I felt pulled under and backward in a way that felt unfamiliar.

It was not the ocean, but the same basic rule applied: stay calm, protect yourself, let the turbulence pass, and come up when the water settles.

Eventually, I caught a clean left.

I stood up, felt the board settle under me, and that old love for surfing came rushing back. After all the wipeouts, that one wave made the whole experience worth it.

By then, I was already tired. I spent part of the rest of the session body surfing on the inside, which was surprisingly fun, and later caught a few rights body surfing on the outside waves.

It was not a graceful return to surfing, but it was real. And it was unforgettable.

This is probably the most important decision you will make.

If you are new to surfing, start with beginner waves. If you have surfed before but are rusty, out of paddling shape, or unsure how you will respond to a wave pool, choose beginner or intermediate.

Do not choose advanced just because you are athletic, confident in the water, or surfed years ago.

Advanced waves are not casual. They require strong paddling, good timing, confidence during wipeouts, and the ability to recover quickly between attempts. I was comfortable in the water and had surfing experience from childhood, but I was still surprised by how physically demanding the session felt.

The wave pool is controlled, but that does not mean it is easy.

My recommendation:

You will have more fun catching manageable waves than getting punished by waves above your current ability.

A coach can completely change your first session.

During my visit, the surf professional in my session, Matthew, was a game-changer. Once the waves turned on, everything felt unfamiliar at first. Even though I had surfed before, the timing and positioning were different from the ocean.

Matthew helped me understand where to begin my paddle as soon as the wave was created. He also gave me a clear visual target, telling me to aim toward what looked like two red poles where the wave would finish.

That kind of direction matters.

In a wave pool, the “sweet spot” is much more exact than in the ocean. The wave is created in the same pattern, and each wave level has a different takeoff zone. Once you know where to sit, when to start paddling, and what line to aim for, everything becomes easier.

Without that guidance, you can waste a lot of energy in the wrong position.

If this is your first time at Palm Springs Surf Club, I would strongly consider paying for the coach. The extra $100 may feel like a lot, but it can help you get more value out of the $200 session you already paid for.

A coach can help you:

• Understand the correct takeoff zone.
• Time your paddle.
• Choose the right wave level.
• Avoid wasting energy.
• Build confidence faster.
• Increase your chance of actually catching waves.

For beginners, the coach is not just a luxury. It may be the difference between a frustrating session and a successful one.

Paddling out has its own strategy.

After a ride or wipeout, use the sides of the pool to paddle back out. The current in the pool can pull you away from the outside while the waves are running, so hugging the sides makes it much easier to return to position.

When I was there, the waves seemed to come in sets. After about three or four waves, there would be a pause, which gave surfers a better chance to paddle back out.

Even during the pause, the easiest route was along the outside edges of the pool.

Do not waste energy fighting the current in the middle if you do not have to. Use the pool design to your advantage.

Wipeouts are part of the experience.

The water is controlled, but the waves are still real enough to knock you around. If you fall, stay calm and let the wave pass. Do not panic, do not fight every movement, and do not immediately rush back into position if you need a moment to breathe.

This was one of my biggest lessons.

After paddling hard to get outside, then paddling hard again to catch a wave, a heavy wipeout can drain you quickly. Holding your breath longer than expected after already being tired is not a great feeling.

Let waves go when you need to.

There is no shame in skipping a wave, catching your breath, and resetting. In fact, that is often the smarter decision.

The goal is not to catch every wave. The goal is to have a good session, stay safe, and leave wanting to come back.

Palm Springs heat changes everything.

Even with chilled water around 87 degrees, surfing in 110-degree weather is intense. You are paddling, balancing, recovering from wipeouts, and constantly using your shoulders, core, legs, and lungs.

The pool feels refreshing, but your body is still working in desert conditions.

Bring water. Take breaks. Eat properly before your session. Do not show up dehydrated. And do not let pride push you past your limit.

Surfing already works every muscle. Surfing in Palm Springs summer heat adds another layer.

For your first surf session, I would bring:

• Swim trunks or a swimsuit.
• Towel.
• Sandals.
• Sunscreen.
• Water.
• A hat and sunglasses for before or after the session.
• A change of clothes.
• Your own board if you prefer riding familiar equipment.
• Extra money for board rental, food, drinks, or a coach.

If you are surfing in summer, hydration matters. If you are watching from the side, shade and sun protection matter. Even if you are not surfing, it is still Palm Springs.

Here are the biggest takeaways from my experience.

Start with the right wave level

Do not sign up for advanced waves unless you are truly ready. Beginner and intermediate waves exist for a reason.

Book a coach if it is your first time

The wave pool has exact takeoff points. A coach helps you understand where to sit, when to paddle, and how to use the wave properly.

Watch a session before surfing

Watching other surfers helps you understand the rhythm of the pool before you get in.

Use the sides of the pool to paddle out

The current can work against you. The sides are your friend.

Let waves go when you are tired

Catching your breath is more important than forcing another attempt.

Expect to be humbled

Even if you are athletic, surfing uses a different kind of strength. Your shoulders, lungs, legs, and core will all feel it.

Stay after your session

Palm Springs Surf Club is not only about surfing. Food, drinks, shade, and the atmosphere are part of the experience.

Palm Springs Surf Club is a great fit for:

• People who want a unique Coachella Valley experience.
• Former surfers who want to reconnect with the sport.
• Beginners who want controlled waves and instruction.
• Families or groups where some people surf and others watch.
• Visitors looking for something different from golf, pools, restaurants, and hiking.
• Locals who want to see how much the desert lifestyle is evolving.

It may not be ideal for someone who is uncomfortable in water, unwilling to follow safety instructions, or expecting surfing to be easy.

This is fun, but it is still physically demanding.

Yes, Palm Springs Surf Club can be good for beginners, but only if you choose the right wave level and get proper guidance.

A controlled wave pool gives beginners the advantage of consistency. You are not waiting for random ocean sets, dealing with changing tides, or trying to read a lineup. The waves are predictable, and that can make learning easier.

But predictable does not mean effortless.

Beginners should start with beginner waves and strongly consider booking a coach. That gives you the best chance of learning the basics, staying safe, and actually enjoying the session.

Surfing in Palm Springs sounds impossible until you try it.

After 15 years away from the sport, my session at Palm Springs Surf Club was more than just an activity. It was a reconnection with something I used to love, combined with the surreal feeling of doing it in the middle of the desert.

I got humbled. I got exhausted. I got thrown around. I caught one clean left. And I left thinking about when I would come back.

That is probably the best compliment I can give it.

Palm Springs Surf Club turns the desert into a surf town for a day. Whether you are chasing real waves, learning for the first time, or simply watching from the shade with a drink in hand, it is one of the most unusual and memorable experiences in the Coachella Valley.

Just choose the right wave level.