Popular Surf Spots

Here are some popular surf spots in California. To receive a monthly email with spot updates subscribe to the newsletter. Regardless of where your going, California or elsewhere, the Stormrider Guides are pretty good.

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.

• 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

• Cayucos Pier - More pier surfing.
• Morro Rock - It's pretty hard to miss.
• Pismo Beach - Pier with beach break, watch the RV traffic jam in summer.

Santa Barbara County

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

Ventura County

• Rincon - Classic California point break. Always crowded.
• C Street - Nice rights in front of the fairgounds.
• Ventura Harbor - Two jetties and beachbreak.
• Silver Strand - AKA "The Ship".

LA County

• County Line - Point break, beach break and Neptune's Net
• Leo Carillo State Park - Camping, surfing, tide pools, and Wi-Fi. Isn't that enough?
• Malibu - Most famous surf spot in California.
• Manhattan Beach - Classic LA beachbreak by a pier.

Orange County

• Seal Beach - North side of Orange County consists of several breaks. Ray Bay has powerplant warmed water and tons of stingrays.
• 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

• San Onofre - Old school surf spot. Beginners spot called the "dogpatch".
• Oceanside - Nice sandbars. Less crowded alternative to many Central and Southern San Diego County surf spots.
• San Elijo State Beach - Reef and beach break with a campground featuring the Eli Howard Surf School.
• 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

Former Surf Spots

California State Beaches (San Mateo)

California State Beaches (Santa Cruz)

Popular Santa Cruz Spots

Camping and Surfing in California

California Big Wave Surfing

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