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
California Swell Size (ft)
California Water Temperature (°C)
Californian Waves. Photo:BrownDogWilson
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
Rincon. Photo: rinconclassic.com 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
Kelly Slater, Hurley Pro Trestles. Photo: @copy; ASP/CI/Morris 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
Big Swell at Steamer Lane. Photo: Unknown 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.