THE BEST SURF SPOTS IN CALIFORNIA

THE BEST SURF SPOTS IN CALIFORNIA

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The most popular worldwide are:


Black’s Beach, San Diego, California


One for seasoned professionals, Black’s Beach is one of the most powerful breaks in California and comes complete with strong currents, so is not suitable for beginners.
San Diego’s best surfers flock here, which should give you some idea of the frequency and quality of sets, but be warned - it can get crowded at the weekend.

Getting there: Fly to San Diego International Airport. Take a cab to the Torrey Pines Glider Port and expect a 15-20 minute walk to the beach. Best to follow a local, as this spot can be hard to find.

Surfrider Beach, Malibu

Grab a longboard and surf Beach Boys style on these small perfectly formed crests where Johnny Fain and Miki Dora once surfed in the 1950s. However, expect it to be absolutely rammed for exactly this reason.

Getting there: Fly into Longbeach Airport or Los Angeles International Airport and head to the Pacific Coast Highway.

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 BAY AREA 

Surf Spots In Santa Cruz
SurfSpotPhotosQualityWave directionWave typeCrowd level
38th04RightPoint breakCan Get Busy
Cowells14RightReef breakPacked
Manresa03Right & leftBeach breakNot Too Bad
Steamer Lane125RightPoint breakBusy
The Hook01RightPoint breakCan Get Busy
The Rivermouth04Right & leftRivermouthCan Get Busy
The Wharf13Right & leftBeach breakCan Get Busy
Waddell Creek23Right & leftReef breakBusy
Wind and Sea04Right & leftReef breakNot Too Bad

38TH

Consistent spot with the sand & rock bottom with no hazards for intermediate surfers.

COWELLS

Cowells. Great place to longboard and learn to surf. Cowells is actually just inside of the several peaks that comprise Steamers Lane and is well-known as the best beginner's surf spot in Santa Cruz.
Best time to go at low tide. It has a sand & rock bottom, no hazards.

How to get there: 
West Cliff or Cowell's Beach. Break is right next to Santa Cruz Pier
When its Flat?
high tide

MANRESA

Another begginers spot with sandy bottom and no hazards.

STEAMER LANE

Steamer Lane is a famous surfing location in Santa Cruz, California. It is just off a point on the side of cliffs in the West Cliff residential area near downtown Santa Cruz, providing easy access and a good vantage point for viewing. It has sand & rock bottom and the only hazards are locals ;) It's good for intermediate surfers. (Taken off Wiki)

The O'Neill Cold Water Classic series includes Steamer Lane as one of the stops. The competition takes place at the beginning of November each year.

THE HOOK

It's located At the end of 41st Avenue in Santa Cruz. It has sand & rock bottom, no hazards. Good for intermediate surfers.

THE RIVERMOUTH

The San Lorenzo Rivermouth is a very inconsistant wave. It only developes a sand bar when the Santa Cruz mountains receive a hefty amount of rain. But when the sand bar sets in, this wave rivals any on the West Side. When going off, the peak starts about a 1/4 mile offshore and peels in both directions. Low tide you can get some barrels but for the most part its a steep ledgy wave made for carves. Only real dangers are Locals, Turds and the occasional seal swimming in/out of the mouth. It has sandy bottom and it's good for intermediate surfers.

How to get there:
Go to the boardwalk beach and look left. if its pumping you will know.
Access & Parking Info / Cost:
Parking is a little hard to find on the weekends. But a week day no problem.
Where to Stay: 
Any one of the hotels off of beach Street.
Surf Schools: 
Richard Scmidtt is down the beach at cowells

THE WHARF

The Wharf is my favorite wave on the West Side. It does not break consistant, and it usually needs a descent swell and low tide for it to work. But its hollow and fairly fast. The left breaks right next to the wharf and the right usually breaks on a sand bar 50-100 yards down the beach. It has a sandy bottom and it's good for intermediate surfers. Locals, Barking Seal's and Tourist's are the only hazards.

How to get there:
Go to the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf.
Access & Parking Info / Cost:
Parking lot with meters. If you get a ticket from an empty meter its ganna cost you $40.00.
Where to Stay: 
Anywhere off of Beach Street
Surf Schools: 
Cowells surf school

WADDEL CREEK

Waddell Creek has a number of reef and beach breaks with a rivermouth in the middle for good luck. It has a sand and rock bottom, the only hazards are sharks.
It works in a small swell and will hold decent size. Smaller days are suitable for beginners. 

WIND AND SEA

Bowly left that sporadically A-frames on the lower >2.0 tides. Picks up S-SW swells very well and consistently breaks year round. Although locals can be a bit eggy and the rocks are close it can make your day with a thick spit-out barrel.
It's good for intermediate surfers.





Surf Spots In San Mateo
SurfSpotPhotosQualityWave directionWave typeCrowd level
Mavericks95RightReef breakNot Too Bad
Princeton Jetty03Right & leftBeach breakNot Too Bad










MAVERICKS

World famous big wave spot found in Half Moon Bay, off the coast of California. Mavericks is one of the top big wave spots, it starts to work in large swells and can hold swells of 5 meters.
The water is cold and shark infested, and the wave itself has claimed lives. 
It is only for the most experienced big wave surfers.

The cliffs overlooking the break provide a great view of this powerful cold water monster.

PRINCETON JETTY

Good beach break 1 mile south of Half Moon Bay Brewing Company along 1/Cabrillo HWY.
Can be inconsistent at times, but most days there is something to ride. 
Usually 2-4 feet, but can be 5-7. 
Rips in several areas, but they are narrow and easy to get out of. 
The break close to the jetty goes good and has great shape, but is usually crowded with local kids. You can get good waves on the outside no problem!





Surf Spots In Marin County
SurfSpotPhotosQualityWave directionWave typeCrowd level
Bolinas03Right & leftBeach breakPacked
Stinson02Right & leftBeach breakEmpty
 
BOLINAS

Good, protected bay for beginners to practice. Can occasionally get "good" a few times a year. The problem is that Duxbury Reef blocks most of the west and northwest swells, so it is usually much smaller than other places on the coast. This can be fine if the surf is gigantic everywhere, as Bolinas may then be manageable, but it often just means that Bolinas will be tiny or flat. It has a sand & rock bottom and it's good for the beginners.

STINSON

It has a sandy bottom, no hazards and it's good for intermediate surfers because it's empty.

CENTRAL COAST 



Surf Spots In Monterey
SurfSpotPhotosQualityWave directionWave typeCrowd level
Asilomar01Right & leftReef breakNot Too Bad
Big Sur03RightPoint breakCan Get Busy
Carmel by the Sea03Right & leftBeach breakMental

ASILOMAR

Finicky wave that can create great sessions. 
Very exposed so any wind kills this spot. It has sandy bottom, no hazards and it's good for intermediate surfers.

How to get there: 
Driver along 17 mile drive and you can't fail to see it. Park by the beach
When its Flat? 
Summer months, it's windy in the afternoon and flat in the morning.

BIG SUR

If you can find it youll be shredding your own Point break wave here- Not to hard to find- but Knowing what swell degrees is the key here- Awesome atmosphere for hiking, camping, tripping or anything else that can be done outdoors- If you Show up with more than 3 People your going to be told to leave and that sucks because there a chicks that bath topless sometimes here!!!
It has sand and rocks bottom and has many hazards as: Locals, Rocks, Sharks, Seals, Rips. BTW you are not on top of the food change when you enter the water here....it's for the advanced surfers only!!! 
 

How to get there:
Highway 1-Big Sur- The rest is up too you-Happy Hunting
  
CARMEL BY THE SEA

Carmel is the best spot in NorCal.
How to get there:
Follow the signs
Access & Parking Info / Cost:
No problem
Where to Stay:
Highlands Inn
Equipment Hire:
Club Ed ?
Surf Schools:
again, Club Ed ?
When its Flat?
320 day's a year


Surf Spots In San Luis Obispo
SurfSpotPhotosQualityWave directionWave typeCrowd level
Cayucos13Right & leftBeach breakNot Too Bad

CAYUKOS

Beach break. Almost never crowded. If it is, there's plenty of room all along the beach. The mostly seened type of wave is beach break and the direction of it is right and left. It has a sandy botton and it's good for for intermediate surfers.






Surf Spots In Santa Barbara
SurfSpotPhotosQualityWave directionWave typeCrowd level
Gaviota03Right & leftRivermouthCan Get Busy
Summerland03RightReef breakCan Get Busy
surf02Right & leftBeach breakNot Too Bad

GAVIOTA

Takes a strong south swell. Rocky/sandy, peak to the north of the pier was breaking fair when I was there. Interesting break, was fairly hollow inside, outside was kind of mushy. It's good for intermediate surfers.

How to get there:
Just park in the lot.
Where to Stay:
Camp or drive from Santa Barbara/Goleta areas.
Equipment Hire:
Bring your own gear, this is fairly remote location.
When its Flat?
Strong north swell will flatten the area if it makes it around the Channel Islands.

SUMMERLAND

South swell produces some nice rights, rocky/sandy bottom. It has no hazards and it's good for intermediate surfers.
SURF
It has fairly giid waves, sandy bottom, beach brake wave with right and left direction. There are no hazaqrds, s it's great for the beginners.

SURF

It has fairly good waves, sandy bottom, no hazards, so it's good for beginners.

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
 



Surf Spots In Del Norte
SurfSpotPhotosQualityWave directionWave typeCrowd level
Whalers Island03RightReef breakCan Get Busy





WHALERS ISLAND
 
Right hand reef break breaking off of Whalers Island, need good size west swell and best on a low incoming tide. It has boulders at the bottom. The main hazards are rocks and Locals. This spot is good for advanced surfers only.





Surf Spots In Humboldt County
SurfSpotPhotosQualityWave directionWave typeCrowd level
Patricks Point04LeftPoint breakNot Too Bad

PATRICKS POINT

Works on large swells, and can go from overhead to well over 20 feet. 
It's a spot for big wave riders only when there's a serious swell.
The point works best on a full on westerly swell. It has a rock and sand bottom.


How to get there: 
Exit 101 at Patrick's Point Drive and make your way to the park entrance. It's all signposted, no worries here.
Access & Parking Info / Cost:
Have to hike in through the forest to reach the spot. No access by car.
Where to Stay: 
You can camp in the park.
Equipment Hire: 
Forget about it.
Surf Schools: 
Nothing, and not the place for surf schools anyway.
When its Flat? 
Great scenery and great hiking.

 SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Los Angeles County has so many surf spots and so many talented surfers. Top spots include greats like Malibu and Zuma, and has been home to some world famous surfers like Miki Dora.




Surf Spots In Los Angeles County
SurfSpotPhotosQualityWave directionWave typeCrowd level
Ballona Creek04LeftBreakwater / groyneBusy
Bay Street03Right & leftBeach breakCan Get Busy
County Line03Right & leftReef breakBusy
El Porto03Right & leftBeach breakBusy
Fried Fish04RightPoint breakNot Too Bad
Gillis03Right & leftBreakwater / groyneCan Get Busy
Hermosa Beach Pier03Right & leftBreakwater / groyneBusy
Indicator04Right & leftReef breakCan Get Busy
Leo Carrillo13RightReef breakBusy
Little Dume04RightPoint breakCan Get Busy
Malibu Point24RightReef breakMental
Manhattan Pier03Right & leftBreakwater / groyneBusy
Point Dume03RightPoint breakCan Get Busy
Rat Beach12Right & leftReef breakNot Too Bad
Redondo Breakwater04LeftBreakwater / groyneBusy
Seal Beach Jetty03Right & leftRivermouthCan Get Busy
Shit Pipe03LeftBreakwater / groyneCan Get Busy
Sunset02Right & leftReef breakBusy
Toes Jetty03LeftBreakwater / groyneBusy
Topanga04RightPoint breakBusy
Venice Pier03Right & leftBeach breakCan Get Busy
Zeros03Right & leftPoint breakBusy
Zuma classic24Right & leftReef breakPacked

BALLONA CREEK

On those really big days when the beach breaks are closing out in great walls of green and white, the swell is coming from the south, head for Ballona Creek. The take off can be sketchy as your near the end of the jetty, but drop in and you can ride nearly to the bridge on a fairly fast, steep but mushy wave. Lots of fun to ride, paddle to north side of the channel for a clear shot at getting back in the lineup. Fun place to surf when its working, but that is rare. It has a sandy bottom and it' s good for intermediate surfers.

BAY STREET

A good beginning beach break, as evidenced by all the schools and teachers who teach here. It has sandy bottom.

COUNTY LINE

Fun break, can get steep and hollow. It has boulders on the bottom and it's good for intermediate surfers.

EL PORTO

Probably one of the best beach breaks in the entire L.A. area. The rest pretty much suck. Golden afternoons spent there, produces sweet tubes if the conditions are right. It has no hazards, sandy bottom and it's good for intermediate surfers.

FRIED FISH

It has nice, fun waves, sand and rocks on the bottom. There're no hazards. It's good for intermediate surfers.

GILLIS

A beach break with jetty. Mostly sandy. Waves break close to rock jetty. Requires adequate skill. This is one of the only places that actually breaks when a swell comes in above El Porto in Los Angeles county. Rarely breaks.
It's good for intermediate surfers.
HERMOSA BEACH PIER
Bit more challenging than most piers, steeper and faster generally. It has sandy bottom and it'll be good for intermediate surfers.

INDICATOR
Back in the day... there were no houses on the hilltops. The trail down the cliffs was steep and rocky. Very few people out unless it was big, then the whole world showed up. Was a great place to learn to surf big waves. It has boulders on the bottom and it'll be good only for advanced surfers.

LEO CARILLO

Birthplace of Gidget. Also known as Secos. It has boulders on the bottom, no hazards and it'll be good for intermediate surfers.
How to get there: 
About 2 miles south of Ventura County Line and south of Staircase.
Access & Parking Info / Cost: 
Free parking on street or pay across to park at Leo Carillo State park across the street.
Where to Stay: 
Any where in Malibu
When its Flat? 
Unless there is a swell surf is usually 1-3 feet, but when a swell comes in it can get up to 5-6 feet.

LITTLE DUME

A perfect right, need key to get in. LOCALS ONLY (yeah, that'll keep people out). Flawless. It has a rocky reef and it'll be good for intermediate surfers.
MALIBU POINT
The mighty Bu. Legends rode here. Now, everyone rides here.
A great small righthander that breaks along the point at Malibu.
It has sandy bottom and it'll be good for intermediate surfers. 
The only hazard is pollution...
How to get there: 
Look for Malibu Pier and Jack in the Box along Pacific Coast Highway. 
The point extends north of it. 

MANHATTAN PIER

Turns a short, quick left off the sand on the north side of the pier, rights can also be had. Works best on a SW swell. It has no hazards and it'll be good for intermediate surfers.

POINT DUME

Good with big swells. But its dangerous and localized like mad.

How to get there: 
You can't (unless local)
Access & Parking Info / Cost:
$8,000,000 for one of the smaller houses
Where to Stay:
stay in the valley
When its Flat? 
The only swells that can make it have a good shape is a soouth swell.

RAT BEACH

Quiet beach, good place to see dolphins.
decent place for beginners and people with some experience. 

Nice people and not too much "locals only" tude.
It has bottom made of sand and rocks, no hazards. 
It'll be good for the beginners.

How to get there: 
long steep trail, mostly paved
Access & Parking Info / Cost: 
parking is goo
When its Flat? 
high tide

REDONDO BREAKWATER

When it's big and working, great place to surf. Legends were born here.
It has sandy bottom, no hazards but it's for advanced surfers only. 

SEAL BEACH JETTY

Mean bowl forms at the peak, drop in is fast and fun when conditions are right.
It has sandy bottom, no hazards and it'll be good for intermediate surfers.

SHIT PIPE

Got it's name from the pipe leading out to sea. The "Hyperion" plant is actually a sewage treatment center. It has sandy bottom, no hazards and it'll be good for intermediate surfers.

SUNSET

Reef/Point break. The bottom is made of boulders. The hazards are rocks and pollution but it'll fine for beginners.
TOES JETTY
This is basically where you can learn to surf. It has sandy bottom. There was a burger place called The Shack which achieved a certain amount of notoriety and fame, some of  visitors used to tank up on the goods and surf from dawn until dusk. 
 
TOPANGA

Topanga is a step up from Sunset. It's a locals heavy wave that can get very intense and powerful during a good swell. If you find Sunset is still challenging don't come to Topanga. Also, if you're coming to Topanga be respectful and observe surf etiquette.
VENICE PIER
Seems to dump/close on a swell that is more out of the west. Decent on a south swell. Pier has the best shape mid tide. Larger swells mostly close it out.
It has sandy bottom, no hazards and it'll be good for intermediate surfers.
How to get there: 
end of washington st
Access & Parking Info / Cost: 
lot street

ZEROS

Point break with a sand and rock bottom. Breaks left and right, the left hand is more of a beach break. Its really a sandbar, but not a beach break. 
Not sure if a river flows, but maybe. It has no hazards and it'll be good for intermediate surfers.

ZUMA CLASSIC

Fun spot, awesome waves, gets big, takes a bit of getting used too, and lots of people but it's steel fun. It has sandy bottom. Hazards: rips. 
It'll be goof for intermediate surfers.
There're plenty of surf schools.
 
More at: 

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