There is something genuinely funny about the concept of a surf club in the middle of the Sonoran Desert. No ocean. No humidity. The nearest beach is two hours west. And yet Palm Springs Surf Club exists at 1500 S Gene Autry Trail, and it works.
The place sits on the old Wet n' Wild waterpark footprint, which locals will remember shutting down in the early 2000s. What replaced it is a full resort day experience built around a Surf Loch wave pool, the same technology used at professional surf facilities. It draws beginners who've never stood on a board, intermediate surfers looking for a controlled place to practice, and families who want a full water park day without driving to a coast.
If you're planning a trip to Palm Springs or staying nearby, here's what you actually need to know before you show up.
Palm Springs and the south valley share the same desert sky. A private pool rental means you're not done when you leave the wave pool.
The Wave Pool: Three Session Types
Palm Springs Surf Club uses Surf Loch wave technology, which generates consistent, shaped waves you can actually surf. Not the standing-wave variety where you're stationary, but moving waves in a full pool. The setup means every session is predictable: you know roughly what you're getting before you paddle out.
There are three session types. Beginner lessons use soft-top boards with coaching included. If you've never surfed in your life, this is the right entry point. The soft-top reduces the consequences of falling and the coaching means you're not just flailing and hoping. Most people stand up at least once in their first session.
The intermediate tier is called Lefts and Rights, and it offers 3-4 second rides. This is for people who can already surf but aren't advanced. You have time to actually get on a wave, make a turn or two, and ride it out. It's more satisfying than it sounds on paper.
The expert tier is called 5 Slabs, for advanced surfers who want a real challenge. The waves are longer and steeper. If you're someone who surfs regularly at the coast, this is the session that will actually interest you. Shorter rides than you'd get in ideal ocean conditions, but consistent and bookable in a way the ocean never is.
All surf sessions require advance booking at palmspringssurfclub.com/surf/. They sell out, especially on weekends. Boards and wetsuits are available for rent on-site, so you don't need to bring anything.
For current rates, check palmspringssurfclub.com directly. Pricing varies by session type and season.
A rental that thought through the kids room usually thought through everything else too. Good base for a Surf Club day.
Who It's Actually For
Beginners are genuinely well-served here. The coaching is structured, the equipment is appropriate, and the wave pool removes the variable of bad ocean conditions. You're not going to show up and find the water flat or the surf closing out.
Families with kids have a lot to work with. The waterpark side (more on that below) means non-surfing adults and younger kids can have a full day without touching the surf pool at all. Older kids who want to try surfing have a legitimate path to do it safely.
Experienced surfers should be honest about expectations. The wave pool produces consistent, coachable waves, not ocean-quality barrels. It's a good training tool, a fun novelty, and a solid option when you want to surf and you're 200 miles from the coast. It won't replace a trip to Trestles. That's not what it's for.
Groups work well here. You can split between surf sessions and the pool deck, meet up for food, and everyone gets their version of a good day without having to compromise on everything.
Beyond the Waves
Not everyone in your group is going to surf, and that's fine. The resort-side facilities are solid on their own: a resort-style pool with loungers, daybeds, and rentable cabanas, a lazy river, a splash pad for smaller kids, water slides, and jacuzzi access.
The pool deck situation means you can spend a full day here without surfing at all. Grab a cabana, order from the restaurant, let the kids cycle between slides and the splash pad. If you've done a few waterparks in the desert heat, you know the quality of the lounger situation matters more than people admit up front. Palm Springs Surf Club has the resort-grade setup, not the plastic chair and concrete floor experience.
Afternoons at the Surf Club run long. A rental with room for everyone means the evening lands soft.
Food and Drinks
The on-site restaurant runs a California-inspired menu: poke bowls, street tacos, gourmet burgers, and craft cocktails. The hours vary by day. Lunch on weekdays, brunch on weekends, and dinner runs daily.
The food is what you'd want from a resort pool bar and then a bit more. It's not the reason to go, but it's good enough that you won't feel like you have to leave mid-day to find something decent to eat. A margarita by the pool after a surf session in the desert is one of those things that sounds better than it deserves to and then actually delivers.
For anyone planning a full meal out in Palm Springs, pair it with a dinner at one of the spots in the best restaurants in Palm Springs guide. The Surf Club is better for lunch and day-drinking than for dinner.
Practical Tips
Book surf sessions early. Weekend slots fill up, especially in winter and spring when the weather draws more visitors. Do this before you plan the rest of your day, not after.
Arrive 20-30 minutes before your session. The check-in process, lockers, and getting to the pool deck takes longer than it looks on the map. If you're renting a board and wetsuit, add time for that too.
What to bring: sunscreen (pack more than you think), a change of clothes, flip-flops, a reusable water bottle. The desert heat adds up even when you're in and out of the water all day. Read more about packing smart in the how to prepare for a desert trip guide.
Parking is available on-site. Not a pain point.
Best time of year: October through May. Summer in Palm Springs means temperatures in the 105-115°F range. You'll survive a day at the wave pool in July, but it's genuinely hot. Fall through spring is when the weather cooperates and the full experience clicks into place.
Hours run Thursday through Sunday (closed Monday through Wednesday, open on holidays). Current hours vary by season, so check the website before you go.
A well-set-up rental is the right frame for a day like this. Come back from the Surf Club to something comfortable.
Pairing It With a Stay in Palm Springs
Palm Springs Surf Club is about a 10-minute drive from downtown Palm Springs. If you're building a full weekend, it works well as a half-day on Saturday or a full day if you're staying multiple nights.
Pair it with the architecture walk from the Palm Springs weekend itinerary in the morning, then head to the Surf Club in the afternoon when the crowds thin out from the early sessions. Or flip it: surf first thing when you're fresh, then spend the afternoon walking the residential streets and doing coffee and dinner downtown.
We run The Sundune in Palm Springs, a two-bedroom two-bath at 5301 E Waverly Drive. It's a short drive from the Surf Club, close to downtown, and has the kind of space that makes returning to base after a full day at the wave pool feel like the right call.
Evenings in the desert are the reward for the day you put in.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need to know how to surf to go to Palm Springs Surf Club?
No. The beginner session includes soft-top boards and on-water coaching. Most people stand up on their first visit. You book in advance at palmspringssurfclub.com/surf/ and the instruction is included.
Is Palm Springs Surf Club worth it for non-surfers?
Yes, if the waterpark side appeals to you. There's a resort pool with daybeds and cabanas, a lazy river, water slides, a splash pad, and jacuzzi access. You can have a solid full day without touching the surf pool at all.
What is the best time of year to visit Palm Springs Surf Club?
October through May is the sweet spot. The weather is manageable, the mountain backdrop looks good, and the experience of surfing in the desert isn't undercut by 110-degree heat. Summer works but requires a different mindset.
Do I need to bring my own surfboard to Palm Springs Surf Club?
No. Boards and wetsuits are available for rent on-site. You don't need to bring any surf equipment. Check palmspringssurfclub.com for current rental rates before you go.
Palm Springs Surf Club
1500 S Gene Autry Trail, Palm Springs, CA 92264
(760) 205-3634
palmspringssurfclub.com | @palmspringssurfclub
Open Thursday through Sunday (and holidays). Check website for current hours and session availability.