2 Verified Surf Shops

Surf Shops in Los Gatos

Los Gatos offers a unique surf shopping experience nestled in the Santa Cruz Mountains, just 20 minutes from the renowned breaks of Santa Cruz. The town's two verified surf shops cater to surfers heading to nearby coastal spots, providing essential gear, wetsuit rentals, and expert advice on current conditions at local beaches. These shops stock quality boards and accessories while offering repair services to keep you in the water. Beyond surf essentials, Los Gatos charms visitors with its historic downtown, excellent cafes, and wine tasting rooms along tree-lined streets. The town serves as an ideal base camp for surfers exploring the Monterey Bay coastline, combining small-town hospitality with proximity to world-class waves. After a morning session, you'll find farm-to-table restaurants and craft breweries perfect for post-surf recovery.

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Why surfers love Los Gatos

Planning tips before you visit

Los Gatos is inland, so planning requires driving to nearby Santa Cruz County beaches, typically 30-45 minutes away. Winter brings larger, colder swells, necessitating thicker wetsuits available year-round at local outfitters. Summer sessions are smaller and warmer; book lessons early for weekend availability, especially during peak tourist seasons when parking near the coast is challenging.

Services & gear you'll find here

The two documented shops focus heavily on equipment sales, offering quality boards from established shapers suitable for varied coastal conditions. Rentals typically include full wetsuit packages for immediate use near the ocean. While major repairs might be outsourced, minor ding fixes are usually handled quickly in-house. Expect knowledgeable staff to steer you toward appropriate gear for the specific Santa Cruz break you plan to hit, often providing current local condition reports.

FAQs about surf shops in Los Gatos

Yes, even in summer, the Pacific water temperature near Santa Cruz remains chilly enough to warrant thermal protection. Rental packages at Los Gatos-based shops almost always include a high-quality, appropriate thickness wetsuit, boots, and gloves if necessary for winter conditions.

While Los Gatos shops focus on retail and essential services, they often facilitate connections with local shapers who operate in the greater San Jose/Santa Cruz area. Inquire about custom order timelines, as shaping slots can fill up several weeks in advance, particularly before summer.

Weekday mornings before 11:00 AM are generally the quietest times, allowing for detailed discussions about gear selection or repair drop-offs. Weekend afternoons see higher traffic as surfers return from the coast to purchase last-minute items.