This coastal city prides itself on being one of the best surf spots in the U.S. for longboarders. California is glamorous, idealistic, a little bit smug, and very beautiful. 10 Best Beach Towns in California to Buy a House | Prevu Why just marvel at pros in action when you can try your hand at surfing? It's about a 30-minute drive up I-5 from San Diego. Miles of rad beaches attract surfers to ride excellent waveseach of the sandy stretches cater to a different skill level. Here are the best free things to do in Sacramento. Malibu is also home to several surf shops and surfboard shapers, making it a hub for surfers who want to get the latest gear or customize their boards. Make sure to walk along the boardwalk and enjoy the views. See also: A Complete Guide to Surfing Santa Cruz in California. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. With snowy mountains, national parks, miles of coastline, lakes, rivers, and every other imaginable diverse landscape, you can have it all in California. Cardiff Reef is known as one of the best places for longboarders, while Seaside is popular amongst just about everyone. It is one of the best places to learn to surf in Southern California. By clicking subscribe, you are verifying this is your information and in response to your request, you consent to receive e-mail communications from California.com about their news, events and offers. 10 Best Surfing Spots in California - Red Bull The man-made Wedge jetty buffers the waves so that novices get a slice of the fun too. While Laguna Beach is one of the artsier towns of the Golden State, few know that its also one of the most welcoming areas for up-and-coming surfers. Miles of rad beaches attract surfers to ride excellent waveseach of the sandy stretches cater to a different skill level. While its a little smaller and sleepier, the waves you ride here are incomparable. You understand that your consent is not a condition of purchase, and that you can opt-out at any time. Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links. La Jolla Shores. This FREE surf trip packing list contains everything you need for your next surf trip. The tides come in strong and fast; little waves could never live up to these. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Cardiff State Beach is one of the beaches in Encinitas where youll find families hanging out together both in and out of the water. and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from California.com about news, events, offers, and partner promotions. Why We Recommend It: beautiful buildings, impressive pier. Grab your board, hit the water, and youll understand why The Beach Boys said to go surfin at the best spot on the West Coast. The boardwalk at Santa Cruz is just as iconicwith vintage rides, carnival munchies, and surf culture, crowds flock here whenever the weathers perfect. More specifically, Ocean City is what experts claim to be one of the best places to surf in America. San Diego is a substantial south coast city famous for its perfect year-round weather and beautiful landscape. There is one thing to take note of is that all beaches in South Bay are identical. He also suggests Upper Trestles and The Church, legendary spots for experienced surfers. Just pick a spot; you have to start somewhere! It's an ideal spot for tourists who want to learn the basics of surfing. Our recommended businesses are top-quality and are committed to their communities. Many a surf legend has been made and broken at Mavericks since local charger Jeff Clark first conquered the spot back in 1975. The waves are frequent and the shoreline is rife with cliffs and boulders, so its best for intermediate and advanced surfers. The prowess is down to a submerged rock reef that ramps away from the coast with deep channels cut on either side. Simply put, if youre looking for nothing but pure unadulterated surfing, this is the place. Its a great year-round place to surf. The swells are super consistent and waves can even range from three to twelve feet. Whether youre an experienced surfer or just starting out, youll love the surf in San Clemente. Getting to Blacks Beach: This requires some patience. We'll also send you some helpful tips for planning your next surf trip. In . Some of the best spots to surf include the two piers, La Jolla Shores, Windansea in La Jolla, Tourmaline Surfing Park, Ocean Beach, Mission Beach, and Pacific Beach. Back to No. Malibu is a great place to visit because it has many exceptional homes, tons to do, and gnarly waves. This city was the first place people ever surfed in the contiguous United States. When Im in Santa Cruz, I head to Steamer Lane, among the most iconic surf spots in California, Simpson says. More than the laid-back surf town it seems, Haleiwa is filled with local style and country ambiance, as well as cool surf shops and boutiques. SurfX can get you hanging 10 at Ollies Point or barreled at Witchs Rock, Newport offers a great variety of surf spots, so I have my favorites for each season, Simpson says. Its where it all started for me. Simpson says the waves are consistent all year long, making it an ideal spot for surfers of any ability. Its one of the best places to surf in the US, and on top of that, its also a great place to visit in general. Santa Barbara offers plenty of fun, long rides. And for people who cant get enough of the ocean, Venturas many seafood restaurants have you covered. is home to The Wedgethe undisputed, righteous, and full-out king of bodysurfing spot. What all the California surf towns have in common, however, is excellent surf and a thriving surf culture. 3 of 6 Encinitas, California The beauty of Encinitas, California, is that surfing is not seasonal here. Every day brings good weather, good surf, and good times. 9 elsurfjedi 2 yr. ago Not San Diego. Photo by Oliver de la Haye/Istock. No part of this site may be reproduced without our written permission. Lastly, Cardiff Reef and D Street are cool surf spots to check out. Huntington Beach The most lively surf town in California, 3. This. There are tons of great places to surf along the coast, but below you'll find a list of some of the best spots. In Orange County, San Clemente has some significant surf breaks. Key facts about Bolinas Beach: Location: Bolinas Beach, located just 13 miles Northwest of San Francisco, best accessed via Highway 1. Malibu is undoubtedly one of the best surf towns in California, thanks to its perfect mix of consistent waves, beautiful beaches, and a rich surf culture. It's more of a bucking bronco than a wave, but that's the challenge. During the summer months, Santa Barbara is almost always flat, thanks to the Channel Islands blocking all the south swell. The south-facing Surfrider Beach in Malibu is where it started and remains one of the principal surfing beaches in the area. , break out your waxed board, and hit the righteous waves at one of the nations top surf towns. Its also more of a working-class city than other nearby places, so its a bit less expensive too. . The Golden State really is the land of endless surf. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced surfer, there is a beach to suit your needs. Here are 10 of the best for sea, surf, sand and sun. Then you get the barrels of Rivermouth, followed by the semi-hollow shoulders of The Cove, the most turn-inviting section that can take you all the way to the beach. Huntington Beach is also home to the U.S. Open of Surfing. 10. If theres a city that rivals Huntington Beach for the title of Surf City USA, its Santa Cruz many champion surfers come from this small Northern California town famous for its laid-back vibe. Drive north from bustling Honolulu and youll arrive at the seven-mile, wave-filled treasure that is the North Shore. Its one of the best surfing locations in the world, and its also the oldest surfing location in the contiguous US. Encinitas- Best surf town in California for warm water surfing 4 San Clemente 5. Ask any surfer- theres no feeling quite like the one you get from dropping in and flying down the face of a wave. There are few better places to find a wave, especially for longboarders, and the local community is super laid back, making it a very welcoming stop, as well. Yes, you read that right. Ive always enjoyed surfing here, but now I realize theres so much to do in the area. When hes in Morro Bay to surf, Simpson prefers the north end of Morro Rock, which he qualifies as a swell magnet. Note that the water here can be cold. Famous for its year-round swells and rich surf culture, this Orange County city encapsulates the surfer-cool California lifestyle. 7 Of The Best Surf Towns In California First and foremost, surfers should choose spots that match their skill level. Longboarders can hit up the Cardiff Reef to the south. Kill Devil Hills boasts the sickest waves youll ever ride. Hawaii might lay claim to the first waves ever ridden, but surf culture was born in California. And dont be surprised to find out that Surfrider Beach is, Is it in the pizza or the bagels? Whether you want to catch a wave yourself or just watch some of the world's best surfers, these top surfing spots in California are the place to go Best Surfing Spots In California 1. Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. I grab a latte and then check out the boards at HSS. For pizza and beer, he goes a bit inland to RIIP Beer & Pizzeria. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Three princes from Hawaii visited California in 1885 and surfed while visiting. The pier tends to get a little crazy, with drop-ins galore, so if thats not your thing I recommend picking one of the other excellent little peaks you see along the beach. Best Places To Surf In California 2022: Top Full Guide - Tavik Southern California is home to the best places to surf in the U.S., but none really measure up to Encinitas. Bring your best board and time your trip with the surf season, checking out forecasts and beach cams ahead of time so you can see just what kind of swells you can expect on arrival. See also: A Guide to Surfing Santa Barbara in California. Cowells Beach is yet another classic Santa Cruz surf spot, where long reef breaks ease onto the shore. Dont forget to check out the Surf Museum in Santa Cruz to learn more. Last, but most certainly not least, comes this infamous jetty break at the tip of Balboa in Newport Beach. 19 SeaWorthySurf 2 yr. ago You forgot sewage in the water. Eulogized by the Beach Boys and made famous as the stomping ground of pros like Rob Machado, whose sunflower-shock hair you can still sometimes spy in the lineup, Swami's is a rare right-hand reef break in the San Diego North County.