Long Beach California

Surfing near to Long Beach California

There was a time when Long Beach was known as the “Waikiki of Southern California.” Constant waves and up to 10-foot breakers made for perfect surfing conditions, with the beach even hosting one of the first-ever national surfing competitions. Nowadays, although people still flock to the area you’ll be lucky if you get anything much more than a foot high between White Point and Seal Beach. So what happened?

Long Beach - Broken by the breakwater

In the 1940s a breakwater was constructed to create a protected harbor for the Port of Long Beach to calm the waters and improve navigation in the area, whilst it certainly had a positive impact on shipping and harbor operations, it has meant that surfing certainly isn’t like it used to be. The Long Beach breakwater was completed in 1949, pretty much destroying what was once one of the quality breaks in the area. As the waves disappeared, so did the crowds.

Long Beach is a great place to visit for a vacation but if you’re there for the surf you’re going to have to do a bit of chasing the waves if you want anything bigger than languid shore lappers. That’s not to say it can’t be done however- all it takes is a bit of planning:

Getting around

To get the best surf you’ll need to travel across Long Beach, so a hire car is a must. Don’t go small when it comes to your vehicle- if it’s a case of drop and run to catch the best waves, time is of the essence so you don’t want to have to conduct some kind of Tetris-style packing maneuver every time you need to get up and go! Obviously, the bigger the car or van the more expensive it will be but some car rental operators offer discounts or loyalty schemes. For example, you can get a free upgrade with Avis coupon and trade up for something a little roomier or get money off your rental altogether. Alternatively, points can often be traded for accessories or expedited service so you can pick up your car as soon as you’ve landed and get hitting the waves straight away.

Board hire

Whilst nothing beats your own board, you'll need to consider the hassle factor of taking it with you, particularly if you're flying. You might have to end up paying extra and there's always the possibility of it going missing or getting damaged on route which is why hiring a board once you're there might be a better bet. If you are planning on hiring a board, you’ll need to do a bit of research as it’s not as easy as other surfing destinations. Due to the lack of waves, many a surf shop has gone under in Long Beach but there are still plenty of decent hire places that have stood the test of time.

Long Beach accommodation for surfers

There’s plenty on offer when it comes to places to stay. You're probably not going to want to trail your board along to the more high-end hotels and condos, so instead look for something a little more relaxed. There are plenty of smaller holiday houses and bungalows on the beachfront that are well worth checking out. These are often better kitted out for surfers, with outdoor showers and plenty of storage and hanging space for boards and wetsuits. If you're traveling as a group this often works out a fair bit cheaper too.

Where to catch the biggest waves

As has been already discussed, you’re not going to get many 10-footers in Long Beach but there are a couple of spots that can see some decent surf. Head to Seal Beach Jetty for the most consistent waves, The sandbars are pretty good with steep hollow sections beginning at the end of the jetty, especially at lower tides. Steep “pier bowls” are reflected off the Jetty which keeps things interesting. Huntingdon Beach is another great option. Head along Pacific Highway to this long stretch of beach which is pretty consistent and catches the swell even on the flattest of days. It gets busy in the summer but if you visit Huntingdon in winter it’s pretty quiet and the swell is often much bigger.

Other quality local surf breaks

Long Beach is right in the middle of quality Southern California surf beaches, sandwiched on the border of Orange County and LA County. Here are are some alternate top quality beaches to surf.

Large wave, north side of HB Pier. Photo: Unknown

Will Long Beach get its break?

Recent years have seen a push for officials to submerge the breakwater in Long Beach. Doing so would not only improve the surfing conditions but could also help reduce pollution and restore the coastal ecosystem. Back in 1997, Surfrider led the call to remove the breakwater and herald the return of waves. Sadly, due to complicated environmental and logistical factors, any proposals have so far been rejected.

That’s not to say that Long Beach isn’t completely broken by the breakwater. There’s plenty to see and do outside of surfing and it certainly has a more laid-back feel than many of the surfing hotspots. Head to the right places, get your timing right and who knows, you might even get a glimpse of the old pre-breakwater Long Beach of years gone by!

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