Surf California - Quick Facts
LOCATION: North America, West Coast
POPULATION: 37700000
LANGUAGE: English
CURRENCY: US dollar

California is the state with the most people, and unfortunately most of them seem to surf. It's capital is Sacramento, and it's largest city is Los Angeles. California was the starting place for surfing in the US. Take a moment to find out about early Californian surf culture.
If you're thinking about taking a trip, there's lots to do other than surfing. The Lonely Planet have an excellent guide.

If you are looking to surf in North America then head on out to California - there is great surf all the way down the coast. It is worth the trip to catch the big wave surfers riding the mountains of Maverick's during the huge winter swells.

If big wave surfing is not your thing then huge variety of other surfing spots will see that you have an enjoyable trip. Get yourself a car and a couple of boards and cruise up and down Highway 1 Santa Cruz and Half Moon Bay in San Mateo.

During the winter months in Southern California the Santa Ana kicks in, which delivers offshore conditions on big Pacific Swells and generates pure glass surf. With the miles of beach breaks shared between Huntington Beach and Santa Cruz it makes you want to pack your bags right now! If you are looking for mild weather all year, easy quality waves to reach and surf, then California is the choice for you and you will not be disappointed. Top spots to visit if you get a chance are Steamer Lane, Malibu and Rincon.

Browse the California surf spot map above to get more in depth information about surfing and traveling around California.


Surfing California - The Good
Offshore Offshore Offshore
Huge Variety Of Surf Spots
Easy Access To Surf Spots

Surf California - The Bad and the Ugly
Cold In Winter (and cold water year round)
Crowds (of very good surfers)

California Surfing Conditions

The Best Waves in California for Surfing

Here are the top waves that have been added by members to our california surf spot map. Each of these have a five star rating and each are recognised throughout the world as famous surf spots.

Mavericks

The right hand big wave spot located in Half Moon Bay. The break is now world famous for the size of waves surfed here, and has really put California on the big wave map. It's cold, rocky, sharky and for the advanced surfer only. Breaks on the biggest swells. Mavericks

Rincon

A Californian classic! Split into three separate sections, the Indicator, River Mouth and the Cove. Each providing a different wave unless the conditions are ideal. A big westerly swell will see the three sections join into one long, leg burning ride. Ventura's finest. For the 6th year in a row (as of 2018), the Rincon Classic surf competition will take place in January. Rincon

Lower Trestles

"Lowers" is the perfect trick wave and a classic Orange County point break. The wave very consistent and high quality, resulting in crowds of surfers hungry for a wave. There is only a small take-off point, making it a very competitive free-surf experience. Great wave, well worth the visit. Lower Trestles

Steamer Lane

Steamer Lane is one of the greatest waves in California. Head to Santa Cruz and you're guarenteed not to miss it, just off the point by the lighthouse (home of the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum). One of the many high quality californian point breaks, this right hander breaks over sand and rocks. Home to the O'Neill Cold Water Classic. Steamer Lane

The Wedge

The Wedge is a wave not to be missed. It's a kamakazi experience, not for the faint hearted. The Wedge gets it's name from how the wave is formed. The incoming swell combines with the backwash from the jetty, creating huge wedges. Watching surfers and bodyboarders here on a big swell is great fun - don't forget your camera! The Wedge

Huntington Beach

A classic Orange County beach break, photos of surfers with the pier in the background can be found all over the web. Home to the US Open of Surfing, Huntington Beach is very consistent and suitable for surfers of all standards. The best waves are seen throught the winter months. Huntington Beach


Please contribute some information to these pages if you can. Your knowledge could help someone on a surf trip to Cali, so spare some time if you can. You can see from the Orange County surf page just how useful contributions can be.

Fish surfboard, can use a wetsuit if necessary other wise the weather is too amazing so you can just wear a bathing suit!