I'm from Idaho and going to San Diego on a business trip. I would like to try surfing while I'm there. Where is a good surf shop for beginners, or would it even be a good area for me? Also, any MUST SEE or MUST DO'S?

Windnsea beach at the foot of Nautilus St in La Jolla is good, as well as north of La Jolla Shores. Also P.B. Point at the foot of Turquoise St.(off La Jolla Blvd) in the Bird Rock area. A good surf shop is Mitch's Surf Shop in La Jolla on Pearl St.
However, I would recommend any of the surf businesses in the La Jolla Shores area as they are a little friendlier to newcomers.

I love Mitch of Mitch's Surf Shop!
Next door to Mitch's eat at El Pescador for the best halibut sandwich ever..
I would suggest going to La Jolla Surf Systems in LJ Shores and they have surf lessons at the shores which is a perfect place for a beginner.
I would visit Gaslamp area of downtown SD, La Jolla, Balboa Park..drive up the coast up to Encinitas/Leucadia..
The horses are running at Del Mar till the first week of September and its a beautiful venue.
Have fun!

lajollasurfsystems.com
dmtc.com
gaslamp.org

Thank you both so very much! I really do appreciate it!

you're welcome-
i have to second tahiti tams recommendation of El Pescado (Pearl St and Draper or Eads). They have the best and freshest seafood. You can see them bringing in the fish thru the back door and cutting it up before they put it in the cases to sell! YUM!
Also a fun place to talk to locals is the coffee shop Pannikin Cafe on Girard ST.(cross street is Pearl ST.)

OMG..my mouth is watering for any of those fresh fish sandwiches or plate with salad..probably the best anywhere!
Keep us posted frogger and we are all here to help you have a great time in SD.


elpescadorfishmarket.com

Also try Ocean Beach Surf Shop on Newport Avenue. when I have out of town company, I set them up with a lesson from there and its is always great. You really want to have a lesson since surfing can be a little dangerous if you are not a good surfer or if you don't know what you are doing.

As far as areas, Wind and Sea is very nice but I would stay out of that area if you are a newbie, its more for "locals" and the surf culture there isn't as friendly. La Jolla Shores has a nice beach and the surfers would be helpful there. At the end of South Mission, the beach is pretty friendly the surfers and the waves are good. If you go the Ocean Beach, walk down on Newport and pop into Hodad's for a burger and milkshake. Its a great San Diego experience.

There have been a ton of postings on this board for Mus Sees/Must Dos in San Diego so I would do a search. If the Padres are in town, Petco Park is a lot of fun.