There's a guy named Bill Varney who puts on surf fishing seminars (free) in conjunction with the DFG at state parks.....you just pay parking. Seminar dates are posted at
www.fishthesurf.com. Attendance is limited, so best to sign up early.
I took the seminar when I started surf fishing again with light tackle, and it was good, but wish he had spent a little more time discussing what structure to look for. But, if you think about it, it's pretty much like freshwater.......double-breaking waves indicate a trough between the two breaks where the critters hang out, edges of riptides, etc. Structure and timing your fishing with a moving tide are the two most important things to look for. If they're there, they'll pretty much eat anything.