Surf Spots in California
From rugged northern coasts to mellow southern beach breaks. This is the ultimate surf guide for every surfer.
Table of contents
Northern California
Ocean Beach (San Francisco)
Environment & crowds: 3.5-mile rugged beach, often foggy, strong currents, local-heavy crowd.
Level: Advanced only.
Wave type: Powerful beach break, hollow lefts and rights.
Tide & wind: West swell + east offshore; low–mid tide ideal.
Mavericks (Half Moon Bay)
Environment & crowds: Remote reef off Half Moon Bay, small elite crew.
Level: Pro big-wave only.
Wave type: Massive reef break (25–60 ft).
Tide & wind: Winter NW groundswell; complex offshore patterns.
Pacifica (Linda Mar)
Environment & crowds: Sandy beach by town, beginner-friendly.
Level: Intermediate.
Wave type: Beach break with longer rides.
Tide & wind: Mid tide best; west swell, light offshore from east/northeast.
Pacifica (near Mavericks)
Environment & crowds: Area picking up Mavericks swells.
Level: Intermediate.
Wave type: Beach break, mixed peaks.
Tide & wind: Similar optimal conditions as Mavericks.
Stinson Beach
Environment & crowds: Scenic, family-friendly beach.
Level: Beginner–intermediate.
Wave type: Gentle beach break.
Tide & wind: Mid tide works best; west swells, moderate offshore.
Bolinas & Point Reyes
Environment & crowds: Semi-remote coastal reefs and beaches.
Level: Intermediate.
Wave type: Reef/point.
Tide & wind: West swell, northeast offshore.
Bodega Bay
Environment & crowds: Foggy harbor beach.
Level: Beginner–intermediate.
Wave type: Beach break.
Tide & wind: West swell, east/northeast offshore, mid tide.
Point Arena, Fort Bragg, Shelter Cove
Environment & crowds: Remote rocky points.
Level: Intermediate–advanced.
Wave type: Reef/point.
Tide & wind: West/NW swell best, northeast offshore.
Trinidad & Crescent City
Environment & crowds: Cold, remote beaches.
Level: Advanced.
Wave type: Beach break.
Tide & wind: Northwest swell, gusty offshore conditions.
Central Coast & Santa Cruz
Steamer Lane, Pleasure Point, The Hook (Santa Cruz)
Environment & crowds: Surf culture hub, rocky point, variable crowd.
Level: Int–advanced.
Wave type: Point/reef.
Tide & wind: West swell, northeast offshore, mid tide delivers clean sets.
Moss Landing, Davenport Landing, Scotts Creek, Waddell Creek, Ano Nuevo
Environment & crowds: Hidden gems, low crowds.
Level: Intermediate–advanced.
Wave type: Beach to reef.\nTide & wind: West swell preferred; offshore east/northeast; mid tide.
Big Sur – Garrapata, Sand Dollar Beach, Pfeiffer
Environment & crowds: Scenic cliffs, serene vibe.
Level: Intermediate.
Wave type: Beach/reef.
Tide & wind: West swell, off‑shore from east/northeast; mid tide for shape.
Carmel Beach
Environment & crowds: Town beach, family-friendly.
Level: Beginner–intermediate.
Wave type: Beach break.
Tide & wind: Mid tide; west swell, moderate offshore.
San Luis Obispo County
Pismo Beach
Environment & crowds: Long pier, soft sandy beach.
Level: Beginner–intermediate.
Wave type: Beach break.
Tide & wind: West–southwest swell; east/northeast offshore; mid tide ideal.
Morro Bay, Cayucos, Avila Beach, Oceano Dunes, Moonstone (Cambria)
Environment & crowds: Family-focused coastal towns.
Level: Beginner–intermediate.
Wave type: Beach break.
Tide & wind: West–southwest swells; offshore wind; mid to high tide.
Orange County
San Onofre State Beach: Dogpatch, Old Man’s, The Point, Trestles
Environment & crowds: Campground vibes, mixed crowds—beginners to pro.
Level: Beginner (Dogpatch), intermediate (Old Man’s), advanced (The Point, Trestles).
Wave type: Beach break to world‑class reef.
Tide & wind: SW swell; east/northeast offshore; mid tide offers best form.
Trestles – Uppers, Middles, Lowers, Cotton’s, Church
Environment & crowds: Forested coastline beneath railway bridge, busy spot.
Level: Intermediate (Middles) to pro (Lowers).
Wave type: Reef breaks, hollow rights.
Tide & wind: Southwest swell; northeast offshore; low–mid tide best.
Dana Point, Doheny, Salt Creek
Environment & crowds: Coastal parks & point beaches.
Level: Beginner–intermediate.
Wave type: Beach/point.
Tide & wind: Southwest swell; easterly offshore; any tide.
The Wedge (Newport Beach)
Environment & crowds: Shorebreak hotspot, heavy crowds on big days.
Level: Pro only.
Wave type: Powerful shorebreak.
Tide & wind: South swell; onshore tricky; any tide.
Newport Jetties (15th, 54th, 56th St.)
Environment & crowds: Local shortboarders, moderately busy.
Level: Intermediate–advanced.
Wave type: Beach break with peelers.
Tide & wind: Southwest swell; offshore east/northeast; mid tide.
Corona del Mar, Seal Beach, Huntington Beach, Goldenwest, Magnolia St., 40th/28th St.
Environment & crowds: Ranges from tourist-heavy (HB) to local beach towns.
Level: Beginner–intermediate.
Wave type: Beach breaks.
Tide & wind: Southwest swell; offshore northeast; mid tide.
Los Angeles County
El Porto (Manhattan Beach)
Environment & crowds: Urban beach with packed parking.
Level: Intermediate–advanced.
Wave type: Fast, punchy beach break.
Tide & wind: West–southwest swell; offshore north/northeast; mid tide.
Hermosa Beach
Environment & crowds: Popular beach town, broad sandy break.
Level: Beginner–intermediate.
Wave type: Beach break.
Tide & wind: West swell; offshore; mid tide best.
Venice Beach & Santa Monica
Environment & crowds: City beaches, touristy, friendly vibe.
Level: Beginner–intermediate.
Wave type: Beach break.
Tide & wind: West swell; light offshore; mid tide.
Malibu (Surfrider, Big Dume, Pirates Cove)
Environment & crowds: Iconic point, longboarder hub.
Level: Intermediate–advanced.
Wave type: Point break, long rides.
Tide & wind: Southwest swell; north offshore; mid–high tide.
Topanga
Environment & crowds: Rocky beach, scenic canyon backdrop.
Level: Intermediate.
Wave type: Point/reef.
Tide & wind: West swell; offshore northeast; mid tide.
Zuma Beach, El Matador, Rincon (Ventura/Santa Barbara)
Environment & crowds: Zuma for families; Rincon draws performance crowds.
Level: Zuma = beginner; Rincon = intermediate–advanced.
Wave type: Zuma beach break; Rincon long-right point.
Tide & wind: West swell; offshore north/northeast; low–mid tide.
San Diego County
Swami’s (Encinitas)
Environment & crowds: Popular reef with local crew.
Level: Intermediate–advanced.
Wave type: Reef point.
Tide & wind: Southwest swell; offshore northeast; mid tide.
Windansea (La Jolla)
Environment & crowds: Rocky reef, serious local vibe.
Level: Semi-pro.
Wave type: Reef point.
Tide & wind: West–southwest swell; mid tide; offshore.
Ocean Beach (SD)
Environment & crowds: Classic pier stretch.
Level: Intermediate.
Wave type: Beach break.
Tide & wind: West swell; offshore; mid tide.
Pacific Beach, Mission Beach, La Jolla Shores
Environment & crowds: Tourist-friendly; wide beaches.
Level: Beginner–intermediate.
Wave type: Beach break.
Tide & wind: West swell; offshore; mid tide.
Imperial Beach, Cardiff Reef, Black’s Beach
Environment & crowds: Long point setups; Black’s for serious surfers.
Level: Intermediate–advanced.
Wave type: Reef/point.
Tide & wind: West swell; offshore northeast; mid tide.
Oceanside Pier, Carlsbad, Moonlight Beach, Tamarack, San Elijo
Environment & crowds: Orange County vibe continuing south.
Level: Beginner–intermediate.
Wave type: Beach break.
Tide & wind: Southwest swell; mid tide; light offshore.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. When are the best conditions for beginners?Spring and summer bring softer swells, perfect for beach breaks like Dogpatch, Doheny, Stinson, and Avila.
2. When are the best conditions for advanced and pro surfers?
Fall and winter deliver powerful swells to Ocean Beach, Trestles, Mavericks and Rincon.
3. How do I choose where to surf in California?
Match your surf level, crowd tolerance, forecast, and safety. Begin in Southern spots if you’re a beginner, progress to reef and point breaks if you’re more advanced.
4. Which spots are family-friendly?
San Onofre, Pismo Beach, La Jolla Shores, Stinson Beach and Zuma offer mellow waves and family amenities.
5. What’s the best California surf road trip route?
Start in Santa Cruz, head down through Big Sur, stop in San Luis Obispo County, then continue south through Orange County (San Onofre, Trestles), Los Angeles (Malibu, Venice), and finish strong in San Diego (Swami’s, Windansea).
California Surf Video
Surf Spot Overview Table
| Region | Example Spots | Level | Wave Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northern California | OB, Mavericks, Stinson, Bodega, Stinson | Int–Pro | Beach/Reef |
| Central Coast | Santa Cruz pts, Moss Landing, Big Sur, Carmel | Beg–Adv | Point/Reef/Beach |
| SLO County | Pismo, Morro, Cayucos | Beg–Int | Beach |
| Orange County | San Onofre, Trestles, HB, Newport | Beg–Pro | Beach/Reef/Point |
| Los Angeles | Malibu, Venice, Hermosa, El Porto | Beg–Adv | Beach/Point/Long |
| San Diego | Swami’s, Windansea, Oceanside, Cardiff | Beg–Adv | Reef/Beach/Point |
