Popular Surf Spots

Here are some popular surf spots in California. To receive a monthly email with spot updates subscribe to the newsletter.

Del Norte County

• South Beach - Southwest facing beach in economically depressed Crescent City.

Humboldt County

• Shelter Cove - A bit out of the way.

Sonoma County

• Doran Beach - Frequently closed out and needs a high tide.
• Salmon Creek - Frequently blown out but some nice sandbars.

Marin County

• Bolinas - Crowded but some good sandbars/reef and a good learning area.
• Stinson Beach - Not so great most of the time but very convenient and popular with families.

San Francisco County

• Ocean Beach - Miles of fantastic sandbars on the good days, miles of frustration on bad days.

San Mateo County

• Linda Mar - Never epic but fairly consistent.
• Mavericks - Creepy big wave spot.
• Half Moon Bay Jetty - Loves a southwest swell.

Santa Cruz County

• Steamers Lane - Great but crowded waves.
• Cowells - One of the best places to learn to surf.
• Pleasure Point - Glassy waves good for all kinds of boards.
• Manresa - Popular surf spot south of Santa Cruz/Capitola.

Monterey County

• Moss Landing - Picks up everything.
• Carmel Beach - Ultra white sand and blue water.
• Andrew Molera - Nice rights, long walk in.
• Sand Dollar - Fun beach south of Big Sur.

San Lois Obispo County

• Morro Rock

Santa Barbara County

• Sands Beach - The place to go when it's tiny in SB.

Ventura County

• Rincon - Classic California point break. Always crowded.

LA County

• Malibu - Most famous surf spot in California.

Orange County

• Huntington Beach - Miles of beachbreak, with the pier being the most crowded and consistent.
• Newport Beach - Crowded and rich. Take the kids to Balboa Island.

San Diego County

• Oceanside - Nice sandbars. Less crowded alternative to many Central and Southern San Diego County surf spots.
• Scripps Pier and La Jolla Shores - Fun waves at the Pier and The Shores is good for more gentle surf; but the summertime crowds and prices mean it's best for other seasons.

More

California State Beaches (San Mateo)

California State Beaches (Santa Cruz)

Popular Santa Cruz Spots

Camping and Surfing in California

Got something to say about popular surf spots in California? Share it! Click the links below the form to see what other visitors have said.

If you want a California surf spot added, request it. If it's a popular one, it will be added.

Click below to see contributions from other visitors to this page...

pismosurfer 
Why don't you have any info and pictures of san luis obispo county? You missed several great breaks... Ragged point, lighthouse, San Simeon, cayucos pier,...

An old Central Cal surfers rememebers. 
Even though I have lived and worked in New York and Connecticut for the last 25 years I have never forgotten, and never will forget growing up in and surfing ...

Sunset in LA  Not rated yet
Where Sunset Blvd hits PCH. Park on the shoulder of PCH or in the small state parking lot (shared with a restaurant) and lug your board down PCH. If ...

water lover  Not rated yet
The massive oil spill in San Francisco Bay closed down several Northern California beaches. Volunteers are wanted to help with the clean up. This is ...