The towns lively downtown area is also home to many shops, restaurants, and bars, making it an enjoyable place to explore both in and out of the water. Though California is warm year-round, youll probably still need a wet suit when surfing. 7 Of The Best Surf Towns In California It makes sense then, that surfing is the official sport of the state! Its a very welcoming place for beginner surfers. Home to movie stars, gorgeous Spanish-revival architecture, and miles of beautiful coastline- Santa Barbara is one of the best surf towns in California. Why We Recommend It: beautiful buildings, impressive pier. And dont be surprised to find out that Surfrider Beach is, Is it in the pizza or the bagels? By the '50s, it became the stomping ground of the crew of Miki Dora, the notorious conman-come-surf pioneer. Spend a weekend in Long Beach California to enjoy stunning coastal scenery, historical landmarks, and activities on land and sea. Required fields are marked *. Ask any surfer- theres no feeling quite like the one you get from dropping in and flying down the face of a wave. Situated on the central coast of California, Santa Cruz is a small town that punches far above its weight when it comes to surf . You can also head over to Bolsa Chica State Beach to surf, which also has some great surf and a more mellow vibe than The Pier. Now, it may be small, but this quaint coastal town is big on personality - and one of the cutest . Every day brings good weather, good surf, and good times. Your email address will not be published. Whether youre looking for the perfect spot to catch some waves, somewhere to find your feet on the swells, or simply some of the best surf scenes, California has, without a doubt, the best surf towns in the US. And, once you get the hang of it, head to Rockpile Beach for more challenging surfsea you on the next wave! Eternal sunlight, glamorous parties, and celebrity sightings are what Malibu is famous for. 2023 Lonely Planet, a Red Ventures company. It's about a 30-minute drive up I-5 from San Diego. pretty much year-round. Santa Barbara is easily one of the best surf spots in the United States. Beach Park is another popular surfing spot. The south-facing Surfrider Beach in Malibu is where it started and remains one of the principal surfing beaches in the area. Grandview is another great spot and its more beginner-friendly, although there are tons of sites to choose from. The 13 Best Surf Spots in California For Every Experience Level Home with point breaks over rock bottoms. The best time to surf in Hossegor is between September and November, when the crowds are long gone and excellent North Atlantic swells hit the coast. This town was brought to national attention in the 1970s when President Richard Nixon hosted world leaders at his seaside home here. Ask any aficionado and theyll tell you that this 20-foot-plus meat grinder is a dream-come-true. California surfing can be broken up among the three coasts of the state: North Coast, Central Coast, and South Coast. There is also a large surf culture so if thats what youre looking for youll find it in this city. Meaning, at no extra cost to you, I earn a small commission anytime you purchase any of the linked products. 1. 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. If youre a lover of beach culture, then this may as well be considered your Mecca. Despite the states expensive reputation, a visit to the California capital doesnt have to cost a lot. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Santa Cruz, California. Northern California beach towns #1: Crescent City. With a backdrop of the Santa Ynez Mountains, Santa Barbara is a very picturesque city. We may receive a small commission if you make a purchase through one of these links. Overall, Huntington Beachs combination of great waves, surf culture, and beautiful setting make it one of the best surf towns in California. So enjoy all California has to offer on top of surfing its waves. In this guide, were going to cover the 7 best surf towns in California! Though its precise origins remain murky, surfing was first practiced by Polynesianscalled hee anamost notably on the Hawaiian islands, and was an essential part of their culture. He particularly enjoys the north and south jetty in Oceanside Harbor, though he cautions that these are best suited to intermediate and advanced surfers. As one of the. The Best California Surf Spots 10 Best Beach Towns in California to Buy a House | Prevu In summer, its the 56th Street jetty for the left-hander waves, and in winter, I like Blackies Beach for the mix of experiences.. While summer sees its fair share of visitors, hitting the water at one of the best surfing cities in the U.S. during winter is an entirely different story. Luckily, Ive never experienced this while surfing in Santa Cruz. Southern California is home to some of the best surfing in the world, and here are 10 bucket list SoCal spots for all fans of the sport. Best Surf Towns In California California is one of the best places to surf in the United States and worldwide. A Pro Surfer's Guide to California's Best Surf Towns If you're an experienced surfer, visit Kill Devil Hills between December and Februaryitll be you against the epic waves. However, some of the best surf towns in California are Encinitas, Santa Cruz, San Clemente, Huntington Beach, Malibu, and Laguna Beach. In 2020, he was named the inaugural head coach of the U.S. Olympics surfing team. Unsurprisingly, you wont find a better place to catch waves than in the bu. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); About Me Over 13 years ago I decided to leave my high-paying job behind to pursue a life full of adventure and travel.Over this time I have lived in Costa Rica, Mexico, and France, just to name a few.I have sailed the seven seas working for the rich and famous on Superyachts, exploring the best tropical places around the World.Which I want to share with you! Overall, Malibus combination of world-class waves, rich surf culture, and iconic location right off the PCH make it one of the best surf towns in California, and a must-visit destination for any surfer. , with gentle and consistent waves helping you gain confidence. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. And, once you get the hang of it, head to Rockpile Beach for more challenging surfsea you on the next wave! The surfing breaks here are epic, there's no other way to accurately describe them. The art scene is thriving, and there are tons of boutiques, art galleries, and other fun places to check out. Getting to Swami's: Make for the town of Encinitas. Linda Mar, or Pacifica State Beach, is a long stretch of beach between Pedro Point and North Point. Famous for its year-round swells and rich surf culture, this Orange County city encapsulates the surfer-cool California lifestyle. If you take a walk through Capitola, or downtown Santa Cruz, youll find tons of surf shops where you can buy new surfboards, wetsuits, or any other surfing gear you need. The fun starts at the famous boardwalk and amusement park with carnival snacks, arcades and vintage rides that'll bring out the child in you. Known for being one of the artsier places along the coast, Laguna Beach is a great option. Topping our list of the best spots for surfing in California is Malibu Lagoon State Beach in Los Angeles. Check out our list below of the best surf spots in California, USA. 1. 2023 California.com All Rights Reserved. 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. This surf town is located in Orange County and is known for its surf spots, including surf city USA. Enjoyed our guide on the best surf towns in California? There are tons of great places to surf along the coast, but below you'll find a list of some of the best spots. The wave is a shapely peeler that can run for more than 100 meters back to the sand, though the bicep-burning paddle out means that most surfers don't go all the way, at least not until the end of the session. The surfing breaks here are epic, theres no other way to accurately describe them. 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Blacks is no secret. Ocean Beach Pier and Mission Beach Pier are great places to surf all year long, but its also a great place to watch fellow surfers catch waves because you can get pretty close. This sucks all the power into a single wedge of water that roars into life beneath the cliffs of Pillar Point just south of San Francisco. It's accessible on the 101 just south of Carpinteria. Just west of LA, Malibu is known as the glamorous home of many celebrities and it has some fantastic beaches to go with it. Dont forget to check out the Surf Museum in Santa Cruz to learn more. Getting to Rincon: Rincon Point is on the county line between Santa Barbara and Ventura. Cohorts of students fresh from the lecture halls meet burly SoCal veterans in the lineup, sometimes to less-than-savory effect. To give you a nudge in the right direction, we have listed 15 of the best surf towns in the world below, so have a read, add them to your surf holiday bucket list and start ticking them off! San Diego is a substantial south coast city famous for its perfect year-round weather and beautiful landscape. California has to offer on top of surfing, 11 Best Surf Towns in Mexico | Where to plan your next vacation. Where will you go next? Parking is super limited, so plan to arrive early. Santa Cruz is one of my favorite places in California to shop for wetsuits, because there are so many options available, especially for women! 10 Best Surfing Spots in California - Red Bull Miles of rad beaches attract surfers to ride excellent waveseach of the sandy stretches cater to a different skill level. Next to consider are the certain spots where localism the protective nature of local surfers is off the scale. By submitting your email address you agree to our Terms of Use Check your inbox for your surf trip packing list. Top 11 Best Surf Towns in the United States | Peter Pan Traveler Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Surfing has taken Simpson all over the world, but hes particularly fond of his home state. Encinitas boasts some of the best waves in the state, including Swamis, a legendary right-hand point break that offers long rides and clean waves, and Moonlight Beach, a great spot for beginners and longboarders. Just 9 minutes north of Morro Bay is Cayucos, a tiny town of about 2,600 people. Eureka Median home price: $362,000 Quirky festivals and Victorian homes define the northern seaport town of Eureka. Whether untouched by civilization or on the border of the coolest metropolises, finding the best surf spots is an adventure in itself. If youre planning on surfing in California youre in for a treat. Last, but most certainly not least, comes this infamous jetty break at the tip of Balboa in Newport Beach. Its free. Swami's is named for the Self-Realization Fellowship Encinitas Retreat, a meditation garden and ashram just up on the clifftops above. This surf spot made surfing legends of Andy Irons, not to mention, Kelly Slater. It takes just over 40 minutes to get there from Downtown LA. Huntington Beach, California. Facebook/San Clemente Guide. Encinitas, California Let's start in southern California and work our way north. As the, , Santa Cruz is all about short and fast waves that have everyone stoked. Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links. California waves have been surfed since 1885. When Im in Santa Cruz, I head to Steamer Lane, among the most iconic surf spots in California, Simpson says. There are even some beaches that are dog-friendly! 3 of 6 Encinitas, California The beauty of Encinitas, California, is that surfing is not seasonal here. He continued competing on the Championship Tour for a few years and then pivoted to coaching. This iconic spot alone secured Santa Barbara a coveted place among the. Youll have a blast splashing around the beautiful Topanga Beachthe ideal place to go for different wave sizes, ranging from small to a whopping 10-feet. Ask any aficionado and theyll tell you that this 20-foot-plus meat grinder is a dream-come-true. When it comes to placement by the waves, however, you cant ask for much better. If youre looking for that SoCal surf vibe but without it being quite as crowded as Malibu, then Huntington Beach, aka Surf City, USA, might just be the spot for you. Ocean City has more water sports accolades than any northwestern surf establishment. Zuma Beach doesnt disappoint either when it comes to gnarly waves. Hossegor, France Europe's very own 'California beach town', Hossegor sits at the very heart of European surfing, with some of the world's most powerful, hollow, and fastest waves. Simply put, if youre looking for nothing but pure unadulterated surfing, this is the place. Beginners can check out the peaks of Moonlight Beach to the north. Cowells Beach is yet another classic Santa Cruz surf spot, where long reef breaks ease onto the shore. In the land of aloha, free attractions, activities and events abound if you know where to look. Access is from the Pillar Point Harbor, about a 30-minute drive south on the Cabrillo Highway from San Franciso. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Just because we found the best doesnt mean that weve found all of them and if there are any you think are missing, we would love to hear from you. Here are our top free things to do in Hawaii. California has consistent, year-round surfable waves to enjoy. We Asked Pro Chefs to Weigh In. This time of year is also perfect for spots like Santa Cruz and Mavericks, where wrap-around swells bring in powerful waves. He particularly enjoys the north and south jetty in Oceanside Harbor, though he cautions that these are best suited to intermediate and advanced surfers. Even the local high school has won over a dozen state surfing championshipsthey dont mess around! 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. With all the sand sprinkled around Honolulu, spending time on the beach is a sure thing. Nicknamed Surf City USA, the fun, beautiful, and sometimes rowdy Huntington Beach is another of the best surf towns in California. 1. You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked. He also suggests Upper Trestles and The Church, legendary spots for experienced surfers. Self-Realization Fellowship Encinitas Retreat. 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. Brush up on local surf history, and learn about the greats at the Surfing Museum, too. 1. Low tide works best here when there's a westerly direction in the swell. It's more of a bucking bronco than a wave, but that's the challenge. 1. A Complete Guide to Surfing Tahiti in French Polynesia, 10 of the Best Yoga Retreats in Sri Lanka, A Complete Guide to Surfing Peniche in Portugal, A Complete Guide to Surfing Tamarindo in Costa Rica, A Complete Guide to Surfing Nosara in Costa Rica, A Complete Guide to Surfing Ericeira in Portugal. California's 11 Most Affordable Places to Live, The 7 Most Affordable Places to Live in the Bay Area, The 6 Best Hollywood Sign Hikes for Your Next Adventure, The 7 Best Places to Go Tubing in California, Coastal Gems: Exploring the Best Beaches Near San Clemente, California, Sandy Escapes Close to Home: Top Beaches Near Pico Rivera, California, Your Seaside Escape: Top 5 Beaches Near Monterey Park, California, The 5 Best Places to Go Para Gliding in California, Your Visitors Guide to Mount Diablo State Park, We're committed to helping you discover the places, people and businesses that make our state Golden. The downtown has a Mediterranean style because of the Spanish colonial heritage, and there are great restaurants and boutiques throughout the city. Cardiff State Beach is one of the beaches in Encinitas where youll find families hanging out together both in and out of the water. For more ideas here is a surfing trip packing list. Encinitas is possessed by surfing and surf culture. Here's our pick of the best beaches in and around Honolulu. 8 of the Best Surf Towns in California These are his picks for Californias best surf towns, the areas to catch the best waves and top recommendations for where to go after youve worked up an appetite. But don't worry if you're looking to surf in the summer: spots with south-running swells are great this season. We use cookies to give you the best experience on our website. With its lively community, its by no means quiet, but its much easier to find a spot on the beach. He continued . Swamis Beach is yet another surfing mecca and one of the most desirable surfing destinations in San Diego. There are year-round lifeguard services, good facilities and decent parking. The coast bends to gaze south here, meaning summer swells tend to be better. The epicenter of beachfront luxury, La Jolla is arguably the most prized city in San Diego. The Central Coast is from Santa Cruz to Ventura County, and the North Coast is from the Oregon border to San Francisco. Whether it's the salt-washed hair of the Lords of Dogtown, the tunes of the Beach Boys or the legendary Endless Summer crew, there are countless examples of how California is intertwined with the world of wave chasing. Oceanside and Trestles are just to the north, as well, with the latter offering some of the most challenging high-performance swells in the States. Santa Cruz, California. Lowers is the money wave. Just pick a spot; you have to start somewhere! From some of the worlds best beaches to lively farmers markets, theres a lot you can do and experience in Kauai without spending a cent. Cowells Beach is a good spot for beginners. Miles of rad beaches attract surfers to ride excellent waveseach of the sandy stretches cater to a different skill level. Yes, you read that right. The boardwalk at Santa Cruz is just as iconicwith vintage rides, carnival munchies, and surf culture, crowds flock here whenever the weathers perfect. Surfer Magazine has rated Kill Devil Hills as one of the 10 best surf towns in the U.S. due to the perfect surfing conditions. Getting to Santa Cruz: Take Highway 17 south from San Jose or the famous Highway 1 south out of San Francisco. Ventura is an underrated surf destination. These cookies do not store any personal information. There are 34 beaches in the city, so there are more than enough surfing locations. New Smyrna Beach, Florida. Best places to visit in California - Lonely Planet Made by surfers for surfers, we know what a good surf trip looks like, and through our platform, we we take the hassle out of searching for the next big wave. 1. Read our Privacy Policy. A favorite among tourists and locals, Trestles offers world-class waves, breaks of gold, and excellent surfing conditions. Just drive north from LA. Overall, ifyoure looking for a California surf town with a laid-back vibe and gorgeous natural setting- youll love Santa Cruz. You might even see Tomson paddling it out on the S.B. The city's nickname alone says it all. Back to No. The downtown area right next to the pier has TONS of surf shops, and you can find just about anything you need. Best Surf Towns in America - Fodors Travel Guide If there were a worldwide surf spot beauty pageant, Trestles would be California's entry. Three princes from Hawaii visited California in 1885 and surfed while visiting.
