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Surf Trip to California Question

by Sam
(Brighton, Colorado)

My buddies and I are graduating high school and planning a surf trip to California, where we plan to meet some other friends from the coast, not that we know diddly squat about it. I've surfed a few days in Hawaii, and constitute our most (barely) knowledgable/ambitious member, and being responsible for most of the planning, need serious help.

It's planned to last a few weeks, and we have about $2300 between the five of us. We're as new as it gets.

You have nothing to gain by helping our ridiculously broad situation that I can see, so if you can think of a way we can make your help worthwhile, let us know. We can take pictures, video, write/document whatever you tell us to, or shoot if you want and we can we could mow your lawns or dig post holes. (A few of us wrestle, we're used to community service). Any tips are helpful.

If you read all of that, thanks very much for your time and the information on your site. Hopefully our trip goes well and either way we'll have a truckload of stories.

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Surf Trip to California Question

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Apr 24, 2008
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Newbie Havens
by: Banyardi

Pacifica is also an ideal spot for beginners to learn how to surf. Soft-top longboards are easily obtainable. If the surf has any size, then forget the surfboard and get a bodyboard. Beginners sometimes focus too much on standing up on the board, when understanding wave mechanics is as much or more important. A good bodyboarding session will allow you to learn about the surf, without the complication of standing up. Where to lineup, how to take off, how to pull out, how to go out through breaking surf, are all beginning concepts more easily learned on the bodyboard.

Good luck and have fun!

Apr 10, 2008
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Bolinas or Santa Cruz
by: Surfingcal

As far as the best spots closest to the SF Bay Area, I would take lessons at Bolinas or Santa Cruz (Cowells). Those places have professionals to take you out on soft-top boards. The beginner spots in those areas have slow rolling waves, probably similar to the ones you were catching in Hawaii. There are spots closer to the Bay Area that will teach you, but you will probably be learning to ride white wash instead of a breaking wave.

As far as the rest of California I really can't tell you. I know that there are plenty of other spots further South where you can learn, just talk to some local surf shops about where you and your friends can take a lesson. It really just depends on your destintation.

If the plan is to see California as well as surf (I think it is), maybe you can just road trip down highway 1 starting with Bolinas or Santa Cruz and heading south. You can hit pre-determined beginner spots on your way down. You can go North but beginner spots may be far and few between. If you short on time and want to hit more beaches closer together, you might just want to go right to Orange County/LA County/San Diego County. If you can wait to mid September conditions are better and crowds/prices are down.

Please let us know how it went and feel free to submit a photo or two.

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