Surfing Waves

I'm planning to learn to surf this July/August in this area.

Are there any places I can get lessons?
Are the conditions good for beginners?
Where are the good beaches?
What about for bodyboarding?
Are sharks a hazard in this time of the year?

santa cruz/cowells is a good place. If you like to body surf...go to manresa tons of waves and no that many surfers...be carefull with the RIP tides. Sharks don't like beginners so don't worrie about them.

Lindamar Beach here in Pacifica is a good place to surf for the newbies.

I live currently in Western New York, and will be attending UC Berkeley within the next year, and I was just wondering if there are any places in the San Francisco area you can surf, or do you have to go futher south toward LA?