Assuming you're considering places where surf fishing is popular, i.e., the mid-Atlantic states, then your best bet overall will be party boat fishing. Surf fishing requires a lot of local knowledge and unless you can find a guide, it can easily be a poor trip.
With party boat fishing, the important thing is to go on the longer charters where there is time to find and fish good productive water. These boats can be unproductive, but at least they're mobile and can be moved if one spot isn't producing.
Either option is relatively poor in my experience. They both tend to run hot or cold. One option to consider is to hire a guide for a day of fishing on the guide's boat, followed by unguided and relatively cheap surf fishing. Take a grill, a beach umbrella, and money for a full-service car wash to clean the salt from your car if you're going to drive on the beach. If there's an inlet to fish, try the inlet at tide changes because that can be your best bet. Don't be afraid to use small baits if fishing an inlet because sometimes catching a few shad can save the day.
