The Santa Cruz Women’s Surf Retreat
An all Inclusive and Immersive Surf Retreat for Women Seeking Saltwater, Simplicity and Soul
3 Spots Left!
Santa Cruz, California
September 10th-15th, 2026
Join Sun and Salt Collective this September 2026 for our very special and immersive Glamping retreat on the north coast of our home town Santa Cruz . During your stay, you will be experiencing all that the area has to offer: organic farm fresh food, scenic surf spots, local surf knowledge, and access to wild, raw, natural beauty.
This is all just steps from your cozy and comfortable Glamping tent nestled directly on the bluffs overlooking the ocean at Flip Flop Farm.
Imagine waking to the slow, pale brightening of sunrise over the Pacific, the air cool and salt-scented, and taking a long, unhurried first cup of coffee as the world eases into day….
Hopping into the surf shuttle with your new friends, you roll towards the break together, excitement brewing as you scan the lineup and choose the best waves. Afterwards the shuttle eases back to the farm where an organic breakfast spread waits—seasonal fruit, warm bread, local honey—while the sun soaks the yard in gentle heat.
With the rest of the day un-rushed, you can wander the trails to the beach, maybe hop in on another afternoon surf, join a group movement session that stretches and grounds you, or simply take some time to day dream. The day softens into evening around shared food and fire while stories are traded beneath a wide sky of stars.
There is the everyday version of you, yes……But what about the wild, barefoot in the sand, fall asleep with salty hair, light hearted, free version - just waiting for an opportunity like this to remember there is space for her too.
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This retreat is for the woman who is ready to drop into the slow living lifestyle that deep down your soul has been craving.
To experience the coast near Santa Cruz and all it has to offer in a whole new way, or perhaps for the very first time…..to maybe explore some new surf breaks that have otherwise felt in-accesible, and do so in a supported way.
This is for the person ready to get out of the routine of everyday and into an environment built around natural beauty, ease and most importantly play! The person who maybe works too hard and is ready to slow down and reconnect with the joy that can be found in the simplest moments.
You know that magic is still alive but maybe this modern life has made it tricky to cultivate sometimes…… this retreat will help you to feel that magic in every moment of your day and self -taking it home with you when you leave.
When you are surrounded by the beauty of nature, the structure of an itinerary built for your nervous system to reset, and engaging daily with the ocean and new friends who knows what you’ll discover!
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5 Nights Stay in Canvas Glamping Tents with Ocean View
3 Healthy Meals a Day Plus Snacks, Coffee, and Tea
A Specially Curated Farm to Table Dinner Highlighting a Local Chef
Daily Surfing and Coaching Tips from our Experienced and Knowledgable Instructors
Access to Professional Photo Gallery Documenting your Time
Professional Tin Type Portrait by North Coast Tin Types
3 Curated Body Movement and Breath-work Sessions to Compliment your Surfing
Local Seaweed Foraging Class
Surfboard/Wetsuit Rental (if needed)l including Access to Atelier Qualia Demo Boards
A serious Swag Bag including your own Sun and Salt Surf Session Journal
Direct Beach Access to Año Nuevo State Park and Trails
Airport Transfer from SFO or SJC
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Flip Flop Farms is a locally owned and operated Organic Farm situated directly on the bluffs overlooking Año Nuevo State Park. There is an expansive view of the Pacific Ocean from just about every corner of the farm. Rows of vegetables and swaths of flowers border the walking paths between tents and the shared areas.
There is a magical sunshine effect that has been noticed on the farm as well; it seems no matter how looming the offshore fog appears to be, it just doesn’t quite settle there.
Accommodation will be in canvas bell tents located on the north end of the farm, with ocean views visible from your tent door.
Each tent is outfitted with cozy rugs, solar lighting, premium memory foam mattress pads, cotton sheets, pillows, and throw blankets. There will 2 people per tent with lots of rom to spread out and stand up inside.
Near the outdoor kitchen and fire pit we’ll have a larger 20ft communal tent This cozy nest will be for lounging, free time, or yoga- furnished to maintain the same comfortable, cozy aesthetic by Makenzie Collins of Santa Cruz Picnic Company
For facilities, the group will have portable restrooms and access to outdoor hot showers, plus several rinse stations for a quick refresh after surfing when a full shower isn’t needed.
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Santa Cruz, CA itself is known world wide for our consistent and varied surf breaks. During our stay, we will be mostly exploring the breaks north of town with daily surf shuttles to and from, sometimes breaking our group into two depending on varying skill levels and preference. Think scenic drives, tall cliffs and untouched farmland …
Waddell Beach is the closest surf break to our camp and less than a 5 min drive. Waddell has a wide range of peaks to choose from varying from right and left hand reef to a slightly more beach break type waves near the parking lot. South Swells usually land in our area in September and can really to make the north coast versatile and fun.
We will mostly be focusing on longboard and fun board waves but feel free to bring a shortboard in case the swell picks up and you want to challenge yourself.
We are welcoming varying skill levels, Advanced Beginner and up for this retreat but also aim to make sure everyone gets to surf where they feel comfortable.
What is Advanced Beginner ? Although not entirely necessary, you are comfortable in waves up to waist high. You are popping up on the board but maybe still working on timing, wave selection and technique. You know how to manage your board and basic etiquette principles in the lineup.
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Regular Price - $2800
Returning Retreat Guests Enjoy $100 OFF
Sun & Salt Students Enjoy $50 OFF
Bay Area & Santa Cruz Residents Enjoy $50 OFF
We are happy to be offering monthly payment plans as well!
A $500 non refundable deposit is required to initiate a payment plan with the remaining balance due by August 28th, 2026 via monthly installments. You will see this deposit option available when you click here BOOK NOW
Please note a 3.3% card service fee is added to the monthly payments
As always please feel free to reach out with any additional questions!
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Flip Flop Farm is located on the coast just North of Santa Cruz right next to Año Nuevo State Park.
If traveling by air, we recommend flying into SFO or SJC Intl Airports. It is then an hour drive to the retreat from either.
Guests are also welcome to bring their own car if traveling locally.
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• Airfare
• Alcohol
• Meals outside of retreat location
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I havent surfed before, is it possible to attend this retreat?
Although this event will not be a learn to surf retreat, we are happy to provide coaching lessons prior to the retreat!
A 4 lesson package would be ideal to provide you with the adequate knowledge and skills to attend the retreat safely and confidently, and then advance during the retreat from there.
What if the swell gets too big in our area?
Thankfully Santa Cruz has a myriad of options when it comes to surf breaks. We will travel into town (35-40 min drive) and surf one of the less exposed breaks such as Cowells or Middle Peak at the Lane. We will make sure to find waves suitable and comfortable for everyone regardless of swell size.
What is the weather like in September?
September is what we call the Locals Summer because it is still warm and sunny, yet the crowds and wind have died down considerably. It is our favorite time of year with very temperate weather.
Is there cell service and wifi at the farm?
There is limited cell service but there is wifi available.
MEET YOUR HOSTS
CassandraKeller
Founder of Sun and Salt Collective
Owner and creator of Sun and Salt Collective, Cassandra grew up surfing the waves of Santa Cruz over the past 26 years. Her passion has brought her around the world exploring different waves and cultures. Through these experiences she gained a broader perspective on the path to a satisfied life; the willingness to “travel light”, needing less and experiencing more. She has a deep love for the ocean and the connection it brings to her soul as well as finding peace and solace in the natural world through backpacking, and snowboarding.
When teaching she holds a calm, practical and encouraging space for her students to progress within. Certified in hypnotherapy, she understands the power of the mind to help or hinder and she utilizes these skills to coach people towards healthy mindset practices in the water and out.
Always up for an adventure and navigating through life with an intuitive, heart centered approach, she utilizes her own experiences of healing to hold a container for others to walk through their fears and towards their truth.
Fantine Capron
Co-Owner, Surf Coach, Board Shaper
Born and raised in the Picardy Forests north of Paris, Fantine, has followed the path truest to herself. As a French grom, she spent summers visiting her maternal family in Southern California and caught her first wave on the golden coast at the tender age of 8. Under the watchful eyes of her Aunt Alisa Schwarzstein and Uncle Ian Cairns, both legendary former professional surfers and coaches. In 2018, she moved to California to realize her childhood dream of surfing everyday of the year.
She then pursued a Yoga Teacher Training at a local Studio in Laguna Beach led by renowned Instructor Liz Campbell. Simultaneously, she entered the hustle of LA and quickly shifted gears into hands-on fabrication for large Art Installations. With her new found skills of fiberglassing, sanding, woodworking and metalworking; she made the transition to Almar Surf Works in Santa Cruz to focus only on surfboard building. She was mentored closely by the legend shaper Michel Junod and Jon Henderson (STRIVE Surfboards).
She founded Atelier Qualia Surf in 2020. A woman owned surfboard and apparel brand forever rooted in love, art, passion and respect for the ocean. She builds her surfboards, from start to finish, here in Santa Cruz.
Emily Meehan
Retreat Surf Coach, Movement Facilitator
A seasoned surfer native to California, EM appreciates a good laugh, a good wave and a good time both in and out of the sea. She has 16 years of wave-riding experience in Santa Cruz and 7 years coaching others. A lifelong athlete, dancer, and professional artist, her approach to surf instruction blends embodiment techniques with creativity, presence, joy and self-trust.
After learning to surf at Pleasure Point in Santa Cruz in 2011, she has since traveled to and resided on many coasts - riding a diverse range of boards and waves from Australia to the Azores.
EM loves to share her knowledge with any and all surfers looking to progress and evolve in their wave-riding abilities.
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The Santa Cruz Women’s Surf Retreat
September 10th-15th, 2026