The best surf spots in Southern California
Southern California has three hundred miles of surf and a wave for every level, and it works two ways: summer south swell for the points of Malibu and Trestles, winter north-west swell for the beach breaks and reefs of the South Bay and San Diego. Below, the breaks worth knowing from north to south, what each one is, who it suits and when it works - and where to go if you are learning.
A consistent beach-and-reef setup at the Ventura border that takes both south and north-west swell. Reliable, rarely crowded.
The most famous longboard wave in the world - a slow, long right on summer south swell. Slow enough to learn on; crowded enough to test your patience.
A wide open beach break north of Point Dume with room to spread out. Powerful on a swell, gentle on a small summer day.
The South Bay's most powerful beach break, on winter north-west swell. LA's serious surfers' wave.
Pier-shaped peaks either side of the pier - the South Bay's everyday wave, with a softer stretch south for learners.
Surf City's pier: consistent peaks on almost any swell, a contest venue, and a long beach either side for everyone else.
A freak: backwash off the Newport jetty doubles the shorebreak into a wave that injures people every summer. Experts and bodysurfers only.
A powerful reef-and-sand setup at Dana Point with a punchy left and right. Intermediate to advanced.
The gentlest wave in Orange County - a soft point that hosts more first lessons than anywhere else in the county.
The most perfect cobblestone point in California and a world tour venue - a high-performance A-frame on south swell, a mile's walk from the car.
Old Man's: the soft, long longboard wave south of Trestles. Mellow, friendly, a beginner's second beach.
A long right-hand reef point below the Self-Realization Fellowship - Encinitas's best wave on winter north-west swell, and its most crowded.
A forgiving reef with a long right and a shorter left, good on south swell in summer. Intermediates and longboards.
The heaviest beach break in San Diego, focused by an underwater canyon. Big, hollow, a long trail down. Experienced only.
A gently sloping sandy beach with surf schools and lifeguards - San Diego's beginner beach.
A powerful reef in La Jolla with a hollow peak and a hard-core local crowd. Experienced surfers.
A string of reefs below the cliffs of Point Loma, holding size on winter swell. Rock entries; know where you're going in.
Today's forecast by area
Where should a beginner surf in Southern California?
La Jolla Shores in San Diego, Doheny in Orange County, and Will Rogers or Santa Monica in Los Angeles - sand, gentle slopes, surf schools, lifeguards. San Onofre's Old Man's and Tourmaline in Pacific Beach are the longboard beaches where nobody minds a learner. Malibu's First Point on a small day is slow enough to learn on, if you can bear the crowd.
Blacks, El Porto on a swell, the Wedge, Windansea and Sunset Cliffs are for experienced surfers - power, rock, or both.
Southern California by month
Common questions
What is the best surf spot in Southern California?
Lower Trestles for performance and consistency, Malibu for the longboard wave the world knows, Blacks for power. Each needs the right swell direction.
Where should a beginner surf in Southern California?
La Jolla Shores, Doheny, Will Rogers or Santa Monica - sandy, gentle, with schools and lifeguards. San Onofre and Tourmaline for a first longboard session.
When is the best time to surf Southern California?
Late summer to autumn - August through October - for warm water, south swell at the points and the first Santa Ana offshores. Winter for the biggest surf at the reefs and beach breaks.
Do I need a wetsuit in California?
Yes, most of the year. A 3/2 from October to June, a 4/3 in the coldest months; only August and September are warm enough for a spring suit in the south.
Is Trestles worth the walk?
On a south swell, yes - it is the best high-performance wave in the state. On a winter north-west swell the piers and reefs usually beat it, and the walk is a mile each way.
Which coast works in winter and which in summer?
Summer south swell suits the south-facing points - Malibu, Trestles, Cardiff. Winter north-west swell suits the west-facing beach breaks and reefs - El Porto, Blacks, Swami's.