Ride the Dana Point Wave: 6 Surf Shops Every Local and Visitor Should Know
If you’re wandering through Dana Point with a surf stoke in your bones, you’re in luck: the town still cradles a vibrant local surf-shop ecosystem, each with its own flavor and history. Below is a guided surf-shop crawl on where to surf (or dive) nearby. Let’s ride.
Hobie Surf Shop
Where & What
Located at 34174 Pacific Coast Hwy, the Hobie Surf Shop is a living piece of surf history. Hobie Alter opened the first Hobie shop in Dana Point in 1954, one of the very first retail surf shops in California. Over time, Hobie’s brand expanded far beyond surfboards — into cats (sailboats), skateboards, water recreation gear, apps, apparel, and more — but the surf shop remains a core anchor of the brand’s identity. Today, the store carries boards, apparel, gear, and accessories while embracing “green business” practices — with a commitment to demonstrating resource conservation and preventing pollution in their daily business practices and operations.
Fun Fact
In 2024, Hobie Surf Shop celebrated its 70th anniversary, marking its place as one of surfing’s most enduring brands.
Infinity Surfboards
Where & What
Located at 24382 Del Prado, Infinity Surfboards has been family-owned and operated for over 50 years. The Boehne family has shaped more than 50,000 boards, ranging from high-performance shortboards to stand-up paddleboards, foils, and tandem boards. Infinity is more than a shop — it’s a surf museum and shaping bay all in one. SUP more your style? Steve Boehne, founder of Infinity Surfboards was one of the very first shapers to offer SUP boards to the public in 2004 and they specialize in both high-end performance SUP for surf and race. Their website reflects a pride in diversity of boards: from shortboards and retro logs to tandem SUPs and waveskis.
Fun Fact
A bronze statue of founders Steve and Barrie Boehne was recently unveiled in Waterman’s Plaza, honoring their role in shaping surf history.
Surf Tip Nearby
Walk a few minutes down to Doheny State Beach (“Doho”), a mellow, consistent break that’s perfect for longboarding and SUPs.
Jack’s Surfboards
Where & What
The Dana Point Jack’s at 34320 Pacific Coast Hwy, is part of the iconic chain founded in Huntington Beach in 1957. Known for its huge selection of boards, wetsuits, skate gear, and apparel, Jack’s has been outfitting generations of surfers and helped popularize the Morey Boogie board. Inside, you’ll find an expansive selection of surfboards from leading shapers, wetsuits for every season, skate gear, beachwear, and accessories that reflect California’s laid-back lifestyle. The shop also keeps things fresh with limited-edition collabs and seasonal gear drops, making it a go-to for both locals and visitors.
Surf Tip Nearby
After browsing Jack’s, head down to Salt Creek Beach, just a short drive from the shop. Known for its powerful shore break, it’s one of Dana Point’s most beloved surf spots — perfect for breaking in that new board or wetsuit.
Killer Dana Surf Shop
Where & What
Killer Dana isn’t just a surf shop — it’s a piece of Dana Point history. The store takes its name from the legendary “Killer Dana” surf break that once rolled into Dana Point Harbor before the harbor was constructed in the late 1960s. Those waves were powerful, fast, and drew surfers from across Southern California, cementing Dana Point’s reputation as a surf town. While the break is long gone (see photo below), the shop carries on its spirit, celebrating Dana Point’s roots in surf culture.
Inside Killer Dana, you’ll find a welcoming, old-school surf vibe. The shop is stacked with surfboards from respected shapers, wetsuits, leashes, wax, and everything a surfer might need to get in the water. Beyond gear, Killer Dana has a killer lineup of surf-inspired clothing, shoes, and accessories, with brands like RVCA, O’Neill, and Volcom — plus plenty of Killer Dana’s own logo gear, which has become something of a local badge of honor. Their iconic logo tees and hats are worn proudly around town and make perfect souvenirs for visitors who want to take home a slice of Dana Point surf heritage.
Fun Fact
Feeling a need for a sweet treat? Killer Dana serves Thrifty Ice Cream in-store and who doesn’t love that?!
Girl in the Curl
Girl in the Curl opened in 1997 as a surf shop/surf school with a mission: to create a space by and for girls (and women) in surfing. Founded by Mary Hartmann, their flagship location is located at 34116 Pacific Coast Hwy, and doubles as a surf school, offering lessons and camps at Doheny. The shop sells surf gear, wetsuits, swimwear, and pastel-styled boards with every in-store detail carefully designed and curated by Mary to deliver that vintage feminine oasis.
Fun Fact
Mary caught her first wave at Doheny in 1970 and has been teaching surf since the ’80s — her surf camps are now a beloved Orange County tradition.
Surf Tip Nearby
Book a lesson with Girl in the Curl at Doho — it’s the best beginner spot in Dana Point and the heart of their surf school.
Lost Winds Dive Shop
Where & What
Located at 34135 Pacific Coast Hwy, Lost Winds stocks full lines of spearfishing, freediving, and scuba diving gear for those looking to get in the water, without the surfing element. On the spearfishing side, they carry top brands like RIFFE, CRESSI, JBL, WAIHANA, GANNET, NERITIC, XCEL, and SPORTUBE. They maintain a full-service speargun rigging and repair center, offering walk-in support and over-the-phone technical help for custom setups. For scuba diving, they carry reputable brands like SCUBAPRO, ATOMIC, OCEANIC, SUNTO, CRESSI, SEADIVE, UNDERWATER KINETICS, and more. The shop also provides air compressors to fill tanks, services regulators, and functions as a full-service scuba gear repair center.
Fun Fact
The shop’s name nods to the Lost Winds (Lasuens Beach) in San Clemente (where its first store is located), a local favorite for surfers and divers alike.
Dive / Fishing Tip Nearby
Check the reefs just outside Dana Point Harbor. Calm days bring visibility up to 40 feet, with kelp forests, Garibaldi, and seasonal lobster. For fishing and spearing, rockfish and bonito are common.
