Maybe I'm just outing myself as a one-step-at-a-time kind of guy, but I would suggest the next logical trip might be some time in a Bay before you paddle into the Big Blue by yourself.
The Ocean has currents that you won't experience on a lake, and it's far less forgiving when there's no-one around.
Maybe try Mission Bay, Spanish Landing, or Oceanside Harbor. That way, if you're feeling confident you can still venture outside and get to the "real" ocean.
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