by Gerald Michael

Created on: November 25, 2008   Last Updated: April 06, 2009

With well over one thousand surf shops in San Diego county, two stand out above the rest. Depending on what you're looking for, South Coast Windansea and Surf Club Surf Shop., both in Pacific Beach, definitely have what you need.

Located at 740 Felspar A, South Coast Windansea literally has everything a surfer needs to get in the water. This shop carries every major brand of wetsuits to keep you warm in the winter and board shorts to keep you cool in the summer. The board selection is good with new and used and the retail staff is easy to talk to and eager to help new surfers with any questions they may have. Upstairs, the shop carries a large selection of used boards and accessories. South Coast even provides rental boards and equipment for the beginning surfer. The, "if you don't surf, don't start," mentality does not exist here. If you're just looking for some cool new clothes, then you'll be happy to find everything needed for a full wardrobe. If you're ever in need of a bar of wax after checking the surf, stop in and say high to Bird, the owner, and you just might get some soul too.

Up a few blocks at 952 Garnet Avenue, sits Surf Club Surf Shop. Owned and operated by local legend, Jeff Kinney, Surf Club provides San Diego surfers stability in an area that frequently sees rotating businesses every six months or so. Surf Club Surf Shop has been a fixture on Garnet Avenue for over 20 years.

Surf Club is small in comparison but cool and friendly with a good new and used board selection. One quality local shaper, Mitzven, has boards available through this shop. I've personally owned several of these boards and loved every Mitzven I've ever surfed. It's definitely geared more toward the seasoned surfer but that has been evolving with the addition of a larger clothing selection than previous years and you can find something cool if you look.

In a market where the surf culture has become so popular and hip to emulate, smaller shops like Surf Club have had to cater to the casual surfer and even those who don't surf at all in order to compete with the bigger shops like South Coast that offer more than just surf equipment.

The surfing sub-culture still exists on a small level but it's appeal is clearly in the mainstream consciousness. It's almost a shame that those who don't surf can at least look like they do but surfing has become more than just a lifestyle, it's also a multi-billion dollar business.

Learn more about this author, Gerald Michael.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.