Palm Springs Surf Club

Palm Springs Surf Club (PSSC) opened for public surf sessions in October 2024 on the 21-acre site of the former Wet n' Wild Palm Springs waterpark. The facility runs on SurfLoch wave technology and stacks a wave pool with a lazy river, waterslides, a resort pool, and an on-site restaurant. It sits roughly 2.5 hours from Los Angeles, making it a viable day trip for Southern California surfers who want guaranteed, repeatable waves.

The pool uses SurfLoch technology, which according to the manufacturer can generate up to 450 waves per hour. Waves run 2 to 7 feet depending on the setting. Sessions are organized around distinct wave programs rather than a single adjustable level. The Waikiki Wave is a slow, mellow peeler dedicated to surf school groups and first-timers learning to stand up. The A-Frame settings (intermediate and advanced) produce split peaks where two surfers can take off simultaneously in opposite directions; the intermediate version has a closeout end section intended as a finishing maneuver, while the advanced version is described as a slabby cylinder where pulling into a short barrel is possible before a carving section follows. The Lefts and Rights setting is designed to extend the ride length by roughly 3 to 4 seconds compared to the A-Frame sessions, making it the longest wave available in the pool and suited to intermediate through experienced surfers. The Slab (also listed as 5 Slabs) is the park's steepest option: a top-to-bottom barrel that engages immediately off the takeoff and is explicitly recommended only for surfers who have already handled ocean barrels. The booking page also lists an Air Section and a Clean Easy Tube as available wave options. Between sets, there is approximately 1.5 to 2 minutes of dead time in the water depending on the program.

Intermediate surfers who want a predictable, repeatable session without ocean variables get the most out of PSSC. The A-Frame and Lefts and Rights programs give experienced surfers a real workout with setup waves, performance sections, and a real barrel option in the Slab. Beginners are actually well-served here: the Waikiki Wave is a purpose-built, separate setting for surf school groups, not a watered-down version of the main pool. Non-surfing travel companions can use the waterpark attractions on a general admission pass, which matters if you are traveling with people who do not surf.

Public surf sessions are tiered by skill level. Beginner (Waikiki Wave) sessions run $100 per person for a group of up to 12 surfers. Intermediate sessions run $150 per person for groups of up to 12. Advanced sessions run $200 per person for groups of up to 9. When public sessions first launched in October 2024, The Inertia reported a $212 per-person price point for a 55-minute session; it is worth checking the official site for current rates before booking, as pricing has shifted since opening. Private sessions covering the entire pool have been reported at $6,000 to $7,500 for 2 to 3 hour windows. General club entry (waterpark access, not surf sessions) starts at $20. No standing discounts exist for repeat visitors, though the park runs periodic promotions, and a waterpark season pass was announced for the 2025 season.

Book sessions online well in advance, particularly on weekends and throughout the October to April shoulder season when temperatures are tolerable and demand is highest. Bring non-surfers along on a general admission waterpark ticket so they have something to do. The park is about 2.5 hours from Los Angeles on I-10. Parking is free, though a fee may apply during special events. Groups looking at private sessions should budget at least $6,000 for a 2 to 3 hour block and contact the park directly. Check current session prices on the official site before booking, as rates have changed since the 2024 opening.