A shuttered Palm Springs waterpark became the Palm Springs Surf Club through a $80 million transformation. Here’s what the surf club looks like now, who owns it, and what a session actually costs.

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Daily Rental: $50,000–$70,000 ·
Site: 21 acres ·
Investment: $80 million ·
Entry Fee: $20

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact 2026 surf session prices (may have changed from 2024 rates)
  • Current day-pass structure for the wave pool
  • Post-2024 attendance or revenue figures
3Timeline signal
4What’s next
  • Waterpark open with lazy river and waterslides
  • Restaurant Amala allows entry without park fee
  • Waves for beginner to advanced surfers

The table below consolidates key operational details from multiple sources.

Detail Value
Location 1500 S Gene Autry Trail, Palm Springs, CA 92264
Website palmspringssurfclub.com
Site Size 21 acres
Original Name Oasis Water Park (opened 1986)
Previous Operator Knott’s Soak City (under Cedar Fair)
Current Owner Pono Acquisition Partners I, LLC
Investment $80 million
Entry Fee $20
Beginner Surf Session $100/hr (group of 12)
Advanced Surf Session $200/hr (9 surfers)
2026 Status Waterpark officially open

Why did Palm Springs Surf Club close?

The Palm Springs Surf Club didn’t close—it was rebuilt from scratch. The property that now hosts the surf club originally opened as Oasis Water Park in 1986, built by Waterpark Associates on what would eventually become a 21-acre site with 20 attractions and roughly 200,000 seasonal visitors by 2001. Cedar Fair operated the park as Knott’s Soak City until selling it to CNL Lifestyle Properties on August 14, 2013. CNL rebranded the facility as Wet’n’Wild Palm Springs in December 2013 for the 2014 season, and it operated under that name until closing in 2018.

Previous operation as Knott’s Soak City

  • Operated by Cedar Fair until August 14, 2013
  • Sold to CNL Lifestyle Properties in 2013
  • Renamed Wet’n’Wild Palm Springs December 2013
  • Closed permanently in 2018

Cedar Fair ownership until 2013

Cedar Fair, the entertainment company behind Knott’s Berry Farm and dozens of other amusement parks, ran the Palm Springs waterpark for over a decade under the Knott’s Soak City banner. The sale to CNL Lifestyle Properties in 2013 marked the end of Cedar Fair’s West Coast waterpark portfolio and the beginning of a five-year transition period that ended with the 2018 closure.

Editor’s note

The park sat dormant for roughly a year after 2018 before Pono Acquisition Partners acquired the property in 2019, launching the test pool that would eventually attract investors and morph into the surf club concept.

Who owns Palm Springs Surf Club?

Pono Acquisition Partners I, LLC acquired the 21-acre property in 2019 and spearheaded the conversion from waterpark to surf park. The company partnered with surf industry figures Cheyne Magnusson and Kalani Robb, who initiated the wave pool concept and recruited James Dunlop for prototype development. A successful 2019 test pool attracted tech executive investor Vinny Smith, who brought in hotel developers Tim and Colin O’Byrne to help scale the project.

The Hubbard Group connection

  • Cheyne Magnusson: wave curation lead with Waco experience
  • Kalani Robb: surf icon and co-founder
  • Vinny Smith: tech executive investor who scaled the project
  • Tim and Colin O’Byrne: hotel developers for site bars and event venues

Current ownership status

Pono Acquisition Partners I, LLC (also referenced as Pono Partner LLC in some filings) holds the property and operates the Palm Springs Surf Club as of 2026. The official site confirms the waterpark is open for the 2026 season with general admission passes available for waterslides and the lazy river. Wave technology comes from Thomas Lochtefeld’s Surf Loch system, capable of producing 2–7 foot waves for up to 25 surfers simultaneously.

Bottom line: Pono Acquisition Partners owns the park and must justify premium pricing against casual coastal surf trips and Mexico budget alternatives.

How much does Palm Springs Surf Club cost?

The Palm Springs Surf Club operates on multiple pricing tiers: a $20 general entry fee, surf sessions ranging from $100 to $200 per hour depending on skill level, and private rentals that can reach $3,500–$5,000 per hour for groups willing to book exclusive wave time.

Day pass prices

  • General club entry: $20
  • Surf sessions (beginner): $100/hr for groups of 12
  • Surf sessions (intermediate): $150/hr for groups of 12
  • Surf sessions (advanced): $200/hr for groups of 9
  • Board rentals available separately

Hourly and rental rates

Private sessions cost between $3,500 and $5,000 per hour based on demand, according to reporting by BeachGrit. General club entry at $20 allows access to the property without surf session fees, and the on-site Amala restaurant permits entry without a park fee—a practical option for those who want the beach-club atmosphere without riding waves.

High vs low season

  • High-season daily rental: approximately $70,000
  • Low-season daily rental: approximately $50,000
  • Per-person hourly rate for groups of 10: $5,000–$7,000
The catch

At $70,000 per day for exclusive pool access, the Palm Springs Surf Club is priced for corporate events, surf brand activations, and serious enthusiasts—not casual visitors. The waterpark admission passes offer a more accessible entry point for those who want the desert resort vibe without the surf session price tag.

When will Palm Springs Surf Club open?

The surf club officially opened on January 1, 2024, after years of delays. The original target was 2021, but the COVID-19 pandemic pushed the timeline back. Reservations opened on December 13, 2023, and the first public sessions sold out within hours.

Opening dates announced

  • Test pool launched: 2019
  • Reservations opened: December 13, 2023
  • Official surf club opening: January 1, 2024
  • Waterpark open for 2026 season: confirmed on official site

Seasonal operations

The Palm Springs Surf Club is a year-round destination, though the desert climate means peak surf conditions vary. The waterpark officially opened for the 2026 season with general admission passes covering waterslides and the lazy river. Wave sessions operate on a reservation system, and the on-site restaurant Amala allows visitors to experience the property without purchasing a park entry pass.

What’s unclear

Exact 2026 surf session pricing and day-pass costs for the wave pool have not been publicly confirmed as of this article’s publication. The $100–$200 session prices from the 2024 opening may have changed, and specific current rates should be confirmed directly with the club.

How much is one hour at Palm Springs Surf Club?

An hour at the Palm Springs Surf Club varies widely depending on what you’re booking: a beginner surf session for a group of 12 costs $100 per hour total, while a private session for exclusive wave access can run $3,500–$5,000 per hour. The per-person math shifts dramatically based on group size and session type.

Per person hourly breakdown

  • Beginner session (12 surfers): roughly $8.33 per person per hour
  • Intermediate session (12 surfers): roughly $12.50 per person per hour
  • Advanced session (9 surfers): roughly $22.22 per person per hour
  • Private session: $3,500–$5,000 per hour (solo or small group)

Group rates

For groups of 10 surfers, the hourly rate lands in the $5,000–$7,000 range—a figure that puts the Palm Springs Surf Club in the same league as other premium wave pools nationally. Wave options include the A-Frame for intermediate and advanced surfers, Rights and Lefts for directional riders, Beginner Waikiki for first-timers, and Private sessions for exclusive wave access.

The trade-off

At $200 for an advanced two-hour session, the Palm Springs Surf Club positions itself as more accessible than membership-based Texas wave pools, but still firmly in premium territory. For a group of nine advanced surfers splitting that cost, it’s comparable to a mid-range weekend surf trip—with none of the ocean variables.

The specs table below summarizes the facility’s technical parameters and amenities.

Feature Specification
Wave Technology Surf Loch (Thomas Lochtefeld)
Wave Height 2–7 feet
Surfers per Wave Up to 25 simultaneously
Site Size 21 acres
Investment Over $80 million
Address 1500 S Gene Autry Trail, Palm Springs, CA 92264
Wave Options A-Frame, Rights & Lefts, Beginner Waikiki, Private
On-Site Dining Amala restaurant, Drifter’s eatery
Bars Three full bars with custom cocktails and draft beers
Waterpark Features Lazy river, waterslides, cabanas
Sustainability Less water than a golf course (per Wavepool Mag)

Upsides

  • First engineered surf park in Southern California
  • Wave options from beginner to advanced in one facility
  • Full resort amenities: restaurant, bars, cabanas
  • Year-round surfing in the desert, short drive from Los Angeles
  • $20 entry fee for non-surfers who want the atmosphere
  • Amala restaurant allows park access without surf fees

Downsides

  • Premium pricing limits casual access
  • 2026 surf session prices unconfirmed—may differ from 2024 rates
  • January 2024 sessions sold out within hours of release
  • Desert climate means extreme summer heat
  • Daily exclusive rental at $70,000 is cost-prohibitive for most individuals

Timeline

The timeline below tracks the major milestones from the original waterpark through the surf club transformation.

Date Event
1986 Opened as Oasis Water Park by Waterpark Associates
2001 Expanded to 16 acres with 20 attractions, 200,000 seasonal visitors
August 14, 2013 Cedar Fair sold park to CNL Lifestyle Properties
December 2013 Renamed Wet’n’Wild Palm Springs for 2014 season
2018 Wet’n’Wild Palm Springs closed permanently
2019 Pono Acquisition Partners acquired property; test pool launched
2023–2024 Project scaled; reservations opened December 13, 2023
January 1, 2024 Palm Springs Surf Club officially opened
2026 Waterpark officially open for 2026 season

What people are saying

We’ve invested over $80 million to turn this park into a top-tier entertainment destination.

— Palm Springs Surf Club spokesperson (via Marco Homes)

The groundbreaking development is set to introduce world-class surfing to Southern California’s most frequented and unexpected destination—the desert.

— Palm Springs Surf Club official announcement (via Marco Homes)

Related reading: Lincoln Wheat Penny Value Guide · How Much Car Can I Afford

Additional sources

beachgrit.com, marcohomes.com

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Frequently asked questions

What are Palm Springs Surf Club events?

The Palm Springs Surf Club hosts corporate events, surf brand activations, and private gatherings in addition to regular public sessions. The 21-acre site includes event venues and bars curated by developers Tim and Colin O’Byrne. Check the official site for current event calendars.

Where to find Palm Springs Surf Club photos?

The official site at palmspringssurfclub.com and social media channels feature current photos. Wavepool Mag and Stab Magazine have published photo galleries from the 2024 opening period.

What is on the Palm Springs Surf Club menu?

On-site dining includes Amala restaurant (which allows entry without a park fee) and Drifter’s eatery. Three full bars serve custom cocktails and draft beers. Retail on-site offers surf merchandise and board rentals.

What do Palm Springs Surf Club reviews say?

Early reviews from the January 2024 opening highlighted the wave quality, desert setting, and premium pricing. January 2024 public sessions sold out within hours, suggesting strong demand despite the cost.

Is there a Palm Springs Surf Club website?

Yes: palmspringssurfclub.com. The official site confirms the waterpark is open for the 2026 season and handles reservations for surf sessions.

What are the best times to visit Palm Springs Surf Club?

Spring and fall offer the most comfortable desert temperatures. Summer can bring extreme heat. Book surf sessions well in advance—January 2024 sessions sold out within hours of opening for reservations.

Why is the Palm Springs Surf Club wave pool expensive?

The $80 million development cost, premium Surf Loch wave technology, resort amenities (three bars, restaurant, cabanas), and the novelty of desert surfing all drive pricing. Daily rentals at $50,000–$70,000 reflect exclusive venue access for groups.

What is the 2 hour rule at Palm Springs Surf Club?

The “2 hour rule” refers to surf sessions running approximately two hours in duration for certain skill tiers. Exact session lengths may vary—check the official booking system for current session formats and durations.

The Palm Springs Surf Club has survived waterpark closures, a pandemic delay, and the fundamental oddity of building a surf pool in the California desert. For Southern California residents tired of fighting coastal traffic, it offers a real alternative—waves without ocean variables, in a setting that would make any coastal town jealous. Visitors must weigh whether consistent man-made waves justify the premium over a budget surf trip to Mexico or waiting for favorable ocean conditions.