| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Address | 1500 S Gene Autry Trail, Cathedral City, CA 92234 |
| Hours | Daily 10am–8pm (seasonal variations; check website) |
| Beginner session | ~$100 (Waikiki Wave, includes coaching) |
| Intermediate sessions | ~$150–$200 (A-Frames, Lefts & Rights) |
| Advanced / Expert | ~$200–$250 (Advanced A-Frames, 5 Slabs) |
| From downtown Palm Springs | ~10 min by car |
| From Indio | ~25–30 min by car |
| Book in advance? | Yes. Weekends book out 1–2 weeks ahead in peak season. |
There is something genuinely funny about a surf club in the middle of the Sonoran Desert. The nearest ocean is two hours west. The average July temperature is 115°F. And yet Palm Springs Surf Club exists, and it works.
The facility is operated by BSR Wave Co (the parent company that runs similar operations elsewhere) and sits in Cathedral City, which is technically a separate city from Palm Springs but about 10 minutes from downtown and close enough that everyone calls it Palm Springs. It uses Wavegarden Cove technology to generate real, surfable waves in a roughly 6,000 square foot pool. It opened to real surf sessions, drew the attention of surfers who live nowhere near a coast, and has been a regular stop for desert visitors ever since.
Here's what you need to know before you show up.
The wave pool at dusk. Sessions run during the day, but this is what it looks like before the crowds arrive.
What the Waves Are Like
The Wavegarden Cove system generates waves from a central spine that runs the length of the pool. Waves pulse in sets rather than running continuously. You're not in a constant breaking wave: there are defined waves, defined waits, and a clear cadence to each session.
PSSC offers several named session types, each calibrated for a different skill level:
Waikiki Wave is the beginner session. Soft-top boards, coaching included, waves gentle enough to learn on. Most first-timers stand up at least once. The instruction is structured, not "here's a board, good luck." This is where you start if you've never surfed.
Reform Wave Pass is the step up: still approachable, but more wave to work with. Good if you've got a session or two under your belt and want something with more push than the beginner pool.
Intermediate A-Frames and Lefts and Rights are proper surf sessions. A-Frames fire 6-wave sets with about 15 seconds between waves. Lefts and Rights run 6-wave sets with 22 seconds between. You're waiting, paddling, and riding like you would in the ocean. These are the sessions that feel like surfing rather than surviving it.
Advanced A-Frames are the same mechanics, steeper and faster. For surfers who want a challenge they'd recognize from a real beach break.
5 Slabs is the expert session. This is the hardest wave on site. Not the right place for a first-timer or an occasional surfer.
Sampler Session gives you a mix of wave types across one booking. Good if you're not sure which tier fits you, or if you want to test a few levels in a single day.
Boards and wetsuits are available for rent on-site. You don't need to bring anything.
A group session in action. The Wavegarden Cove system generates waves from a central spine, so you get defined sets with waits between them, not a continuous wall of water.
Who It's For
Think about this before you book.
If you surf or want to learn: This is genuinely your place. The beginner path is well-structured. The intermediate and advanced sessions are real surfing, not a novelty. The wave pool removes the variable of bad ocean conditions: you know what you're getting before you show up.
If you want a traditional pool day: This is not that. Palm Springs Surf Club is an active surf facility. The energy is physical and focused, not lounge-by-the-water relaxed. There is a separate restaurant, bar, and lounge area with chairs and cabana situations for non-surfers. That part is fine. But if you're expecting a beach club vibe where you sip drinks poolside and occasionally dip your feet in, you'll find the experience doesn't quite match that expectation.
Groups with mixed interest levels: This works well. Surfers book sessions while non-surfers eat, drink, and watch from the venue's seating area. You split, do your respective things, meet up for food. Everyone gets a version of a good day without having to compromise on everything.
Prices and What to Book
Pricing is tiered by session type. As of 2026, approximate rates: Waikiki Wave (beginner) around $100. Reform Wave Pass and intermediate sessions (A-Frames, Lefts and Rights) in the $150-200 range. Advanced A-Frames around $200. 5 Slabs (expert) around $250. Sampler Sessions are priced separately.
Spectator tickets are available if you're coming to watch. Cabana rentals for the lounge side of the venue book separately. Check palmspringssurfclub.com for current pricing before you commit, as rates shift seasonally. Don't show up expecting to buy tickets at the door, especially on weekends.
Weekend surf sessions book out 1 to 2 weeks in advance in peak season (October through May). If you're planning a trip and want to surf, this is the first thing to book, not the last. Buy tickets online before you finalize any other plans for that day.
The non-surf side of the venue. Lounge chairs, umbrellas, and a clear view of the wave pool. Not a bad place to wait out a session.
Beginner sessions are the most booked. Most first-timers stand up at least once, and there's enough downtime between waves to get coaching in before your next turn.
Practical Details
Address: Palm Springs Surf Club (BSR Wave Co), 1500 S Gene Autry Trail, Cathedral City, CA 92234. About 10 minutes from downtown Palm Springs and about 25 to 30 minutes from Indio.
Parking: On-site parking is available. Peak season fees may apply. Check signage on arrival.
Food and drinks: No outside food, outside beverages, coolers, or glass containers are allowed on the venue grounds. Drifters, the on-site restaurant, is open Thursday through Sunday: Thursday and Friday 11am-8pm, Saturday and Sunday 10am-8pm. Plan accordingly if you're visiting on a weekday and want a sit-down meal on-site.
Height and age requirements: Minimum height is 42 inches to participate in surf sessions. Children under 14 must be supervised by a participating adult in the water.
What to bring: Sunscreen at desert levels (SPF 50+), a change of dry clothes, flip-flops, and a water bottle with real capacity. The sun is intense even when you're in and out of the water all day. You'll underestimate how much you'll need to drink.
When to go: Mornings, and outside of summer if you can. The facility is open in summer but 110-degree afternoons while doing a physical activity in standing water is not the optimal experience. October through May is the sweet spot. If you're going in summer, book the earliest available morning session.
Hours: Generally open daily 10am-8pm, with seasonal variations. Check palmspringssurfclub.com for current operating hours before you go.
Honest Take
It's genuinely cool. The concept is absurd on paper and it works in person. Surfing in the desert with the San Jacinto Mountains in the background is one of those experiences that feels specific to the Coachella Valley in the best way.
Sessions run $80+ and this isn't a casual splash pool. If surfing is your thing, or you've always wanted to try it in a controlled environment with good instruction, the price makes sense. The venue handles non-surfers well enough that bringing a mixed group isn't a problem.
If you're building it into a Palm Springs weekend, the 3-day Palm Springs itinerary has a sensible structure for fitting the Surf Club into a larger trip. And if you're staying in Palm Springs for that weekend, The Sundune is our 2-bedroom at 5301 E Waverly Drive, 1.3 miles from the facility, about 3 minutes by car.
The restaurant at PSSC overlooks the full venue. If you're bringing people who aren't surfing, this is where they'll be. Solid food and a genuinely good view.
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 structured coaching. Most people stand up at least once during a first visit. Book your session in advance at palmspringssurfclub.com. Don't show up without a reservation and expect to get in on a weekend.
Is Palm Springs Surf Club worth it for non-surfers?
It depends what you want. There's a restaurant, bar, and seating area where non-surfers can hang while others surf. It's a fine way to spend a few hours if you're with a group. But if nobody in your group surfs and you're not interested in lessons, a private rental pool is probably a better use of your afternoon.
How far is Palm Springs Surf Club from downtown Palm Springs?
About 10 minutes by car. It's technically in Cathedral City, but the border between the two cities is seamless. From Indio, it's approximately 25 to 30 minutes west on I-10.
What is the best time of year to go to Palm Springs Surf Club?
October through May. The weather cooperates, the mountain backdrop looks good, and the full experience clicks into place when it's not 110 degrees outside. Summer works if you go early in the morning before the heat peaks. Check the website for seasonal hours before planning your trip.