The 13 Best Surf Spots in California For Every Experience Level
When you think of California, you think of surfing.
Even though surfing originated in Tahiti, California has long been connected to a surfing culture.
Surfing is one of our foremost hobbies, providing endless fun throughout the day:
Kelly catching some surf
Kelly catching some waves in Sayulita
Whether you are an advanced surfer with a decade of wave experience under your wet-suit or a beginner looking to settle into some sets, California’s vast coastline has a surf spot for everyone.
In this post, we’ll break down the best surf spots from Northern to Central to Southern California for every experience level out there.
Ready to find your next surf adventure? Let’s drop in.
Table of Contents
While California can seem tropical, it’s far from it, especially in Northern California, where temperatures average in the low 60’s to high 50’s.
Even in sunny and warm Malibu, the water temperature only ranges from 55 degrees in the winter to 65 in the summer.
To have the best experience possible, it’s highly recommended that you get:
Beyond the standard surfing gear, you will need a car or truck to travel from one rad spot to the next. There are plenty of car rentals in the Los Angeles and San Francisco areas for your convenience. Check out DiscoverCars.com for the best prices.
Surfing for the first time or as a beginner in California can be intimidating. Approach the wrong beach without any prior experience and the local experts will tell you off.
Consider even having health insurance if you are a total beginner or if you think you really need it!
Since California’s coastline is rugged, there are countless beaches for big wave surfing. Finding the right spot as a beginner means: smaller, gentle, rolling waves.
Here are the best surfing spots in all of California for beginners to shred on.
Bolinas Beach
Key facts about Bolinas Beach:
Location: Bolinas Beach, located just 13 miles Northwest of San Francisco, best accessed via Highway 1
Best for: Absolute beginners to learn how to properly stand up and ride slow, rolling surf.
Average wave height: 2-3 foot waves reaching waist to chest height are the norm at Bolinas.
Bolinas is a small town of just 1,600 residents located less than 15 miles from San Francisco. On a clear day, you can see San Francisco’s Twin Peaks (as shown in the photo above).
Bolinas is home to some of the best beginner surf in all of California. With waves that average at just 2-3 feet in height, it’s a fantastic first-time surf destination to learn the basics.
With a surf shop located half a mile from the beach, you can rent all of the gear you need, or even hire a private surf instructor for the day.
Cowell’s Beach
Key facts about Cowell’s beach:
Location: Cowell’s Beach is located in the town of Santa Cruz, California
Best for: Absolute beginners
Average wave height: 2-4 foot waves are the most common at Cowell’s Beach
Cowell’s Beach is one of the best beginner beaches in California. Located in the town of Santa Cruz, it’s a popular surf destination for it’s warm weather and sunny skies.
A short drive from surrounding metro areas like the Bay Area, this spot is perfect for the beginner looking to surf in California. Due to it’s popularity, this beach will be packed almost year-round.
When you are done catching waves, head to the nearby Santa Cruz Boardwalk for some family-friendly rides and activities.
First Point, Surfrider Beach
Key facts about Surfrider Beach:
Location: Malibu, California.
Best for: New surfers who don’t want to paddle far to reach nice, easy waves
Average wave height: 1-3 foot waves are the most common here
The Surfrider Beach in Malibu is one of the most popular beginner surfing spots in all of California.
Located in between the Malibu Lagoon and and Malibu Pier, it’s one of the most easily accessible beaches out there.
Surfrider, as the name suggests, provides long right-hand breaking waves that slowly roll into the shore.
Looking to stand up for the first time and get your bearings? Surfrider won’t disappoint.
Sunset Cliffs
Key facts about Sunset Cliffs:
Location: San Diego, California.
Best for: Beginners looking for more consistent waves at changing heights
Average wave height: 2-5 foot waves are the norm at Sunset Cliffs
Sunset Cliffs is one of the most stunning portions of San Diego’s coastline, featuring a rugged trail to get to the beach.
As the name implies, this beach is surrounded by sea cliffs, making for one of the most beautiful beaches in the state.
When it comes to surfing, the waves at Sunset Cliffs are consistent, allowing for beginners to test themselves beyond knee or waist height surf.
With multiple free parking lots, it’s very easy to access for a day trip.
Mondos Beach
Key facts about Mondos Beach:
Location: Ventura, California.
Best for: Beginners looking to hone their skills before testing out more intense, intermediate beaches
Average wave height: 2-5 foot waves
Mondos Beach in Ventura provides steady waves, but can have extremely flat surf on a given day. When the surf does pick up, waves tend to range from two to five feet on average, making for great intermediate rides to hone your skills on a surfboard.
Once you have moved past the beginner stage and can comfortably cruise on rolling surf, it’s time to take your game to the next level.
Thankfully, California is packed with amazing surf for intermediates looking to sharpen their skills.
Whether you prefer barrels, longboarding on slow, rolling waves, or carving steep faces, California has a beach for you.
Here are the best surfing spots in California for intermediates.
Zuma Beach
Key facts about Zuma Beach:
Location: Malibu, California.
Best for: strong swimmers and confident surfers
Average wave height: 2-5 feet
Zuma Beach is one of the most popular beaches in Malibu, so expect this spot to be packed with locals and tourists alike.
While really any level of surfer can enjoy this beach, it’s best for intermediates who are comfortable in the water.
Due to potential big sets and a strong rip current, swimming skills and proper surfboard handling are a must.
Tamarack Beach
Key facts about Tamarack Beach:
Location: Carlsbad, California.
Best for: consistent waves and less crowds
Average wave height: 2-5 feet
Tamarack Beach is an intermediate surfers paradise for a few main reasons:
It’s much less crowded than the beaches in Malibu or Santa Cruz and the break conditions are consistent.
Looking to ride consistent waves all day without dealing with a crowd? Take your board to Tamarack Beach!
Moonlight Beach
Key facts about Moonlight Beach:
Location: Moonlight State Beach, Encinitas, California.
Best for: Intermediates or beginners looking to take their skills to the next level
Average wave height: 2-5 feet
Being the main beach in Encinitas, you can expect a large crowd here. Thankfully, most are just enjoying the beach, not the surf.
With a gradual slope, even beginners can test their limits here. Since the waves break close to shore and rip currents are nearly non-existent, it’s a great place to casually enjoy moderate sized waves without feeling exhausted.
Be sure to get here early if you want a parking spot on weekends, as it’s consistently ranked one of the best family beaches in California.
Doheny State Beach
Location: Dana Point, California
Best for: Longboards, intermediate riders looking for less competition for waves
Average wave height: 3-5 feet
When you think of California surfing culture, Dana Point is the town that should come to mind.
With a rich history of surf culture, it’s no wonder it has some of the best waves on the West Coast.
Doheny beach in Dana Point lays protected by a jetty, meaning it generally avoids towering swells that advanced riders enjoy, but offers consistent 3-5 foot waves that roll onto the shore.
Steamer Lane
Location: Santa Cruz, California
Best for: intermediates on the cusp of being advanced
Average wave height: 4-6 feet
Steamer Lane is one of the coolest surfing beaches in the world. Surrounded by cliff sides, it’s swells can charge upwards of 10 feet on the right day, but tend to average in the 4-6 foot range.
Waves here can be choppy and inconsistent, but when the right swell approaches, it’s potentially one of the best surf spots in Northern California.
Advanced surfing in California can be tricky for a few reasons: most beaches are crowded, tourists are abundant, and swells can appear out of nowhere, even at the most intermediate of beaches.
With that being said, here are the best three surfing spots in California for advanced and expert surfers looking to have the ride of a lifetime.
Rincon Beach
Location: Rincon Beach, Santa Barbara, California.
Best for: advanced surfers looking for short, intense breaks
Average wave height: 5-7 feet
Before you head out to Rincon Point in Santa Barbara, be sure to check the latest surf report here.
Rincon can be extremely hit or miss, featuring either massive swells or dead-calm water.
While waves here aren’t the size of Mavericks, they often arrive in condensed sets, like the picture above, meaning if you bail on a wave, be prepared for half a dozen more coming in the blink of an eye.
Mavericks Beach
Key facts about Mavericks:
Location: Mavericks beach, Half Moon Bay, California.
Best for: daredevil, professional, top of the top surfers looking to prove their skills
Average wave height: 8-20+ feet
Due to the unique topography under the surf at Mavericks, this beach is known worldwide for it’s swell potential.
Storms that originate as far as the Gulf of Alaska can generate waves up to 80 feet in height at Mavericks beach.
Located just 25 miles from the SF Bay Area, Mavericks is a must-see even if you don’t plan to surf.
Waves here average heights of 10+ feet on a daily basis, with surf reaching up to 20+ feet being extremely common.
Producing some of the biggest waves in the world, it’s no spot for the faint of heart.
Oceanside Pier
Key facts about Oceanside Pier:
Location: Oceanside, California.
Best for: consistent surf for advanced riders
Average wave height: 4-6 foot waves
Oceanside pier is what comes to mind when you think California surfers. Located right next to the pier, giant swells provide some incredibly consistent waves.
With nearly four miles of beach to surf on, it rarely gets crowded enough to compete for waves.
Big barrel waves are a staple of Oceanside Pier.
Wrapping Up
California packs a coastline stretching over 655 miles in length, with waves that fit any style and experience level.
Whether you are looking for a calm day on the water or an intense, life-changing session, California can provide it.
Looking for more information on surfing in California?
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