Surf Ride

Surf Ride's Solana Beach store is 7,500 square feet of board wall, built from the ground up — by the shop's own account, the largest surfboard selection in California. Between the racks: Volcom, Oakley, Roxy, and Salty Crew on the clothing floor alongside the boards themselves.

Boards for every level live here, from beginner foam to custom epoxy, and wetsuits to match. If you're starting from zero, the summer Surf Camp is the on-ramp — the shop has been family-owned and operated since 1974, with a second location up in Oceanside.

It's a short run from Fletcher Cove, so a rental board and a wetsuit off the rack can have you in the water within the hour.