Best surf spot for beginner in October - Northern California

[sonyajones]

Hi
New to this board, traveling from Canada to San Francisco in October and hoping for advice on the best beach(es) to surf for beginner surfers. Thanks !

[billie_morini]

#1 Dillon Beach
#2 Bolinas

Also, do a search in this forum for beginner spots in NorCAL and you will get some really good results. Have a good trip. October is a good time to surf in NorCAL.

Will add this, because you mentioned SF. If you as beginner wants to surf along the Great Highway, then be careful. Try the shallow mushy first before paddling farther out. The currents are strong, the waves pack knock out punches, and the water is cold.

[sonyajones]

Thanks for the advice! I have been reading all the warnings which is why I wanted advice. Our party has one experienced surfer ( ex south Africa) but its been years, and two new surfers and we are unfamiliar with the Northern California coast. In BC we have surfed in Tofino, but need a safe beach for the group.

[RinkyDink]

Here are few a places you could check out as a beginner.

https://www.surfline.com/surf-report/pa ... d6a7708976 (Lindamar -- Some around here don't care for this break, but I don't think they know what they're talking about. It's the closest beginner break to SF that I know. It's a pretty good spot too.)

https://www.surfline.com/surf-report/co ... d6a7708806 (Cowells is the most well-known the beginner break for Santa Cruz. It's a good spot for beginners. However, it used to have some of the worst water quality in SC, but I read they solved that problem by stopping the birds from pooping into the water around the break.)

https://www.surfline.com/surf-report/ca ... d6a7708ddf (The Capitola jetty is a great spot for beginners. It's hard to find parking around there though. It's also known for having some of the poorest water quality water around Santa Cruz.)

https://www.surfline.com/surf-report/th ... d6a7709996 (On small days the Hook is more like human wave than an ocean wave. Every wave is practically a party wave, but it's good spot to learn. The spots directly north and south of the Hook are excellent for beginners as well.)

Breaks to stay away from:

Under the Golden Gate Bridge (Fort Point) - It might look like a cool place to surf, and it is, but it's the kind of place where you'll have a great view of the bridge as you get swept under it and out to sea. Seriously, don't even think about it unless you're an advanced surfer with super paddling skills.

Ocean Breach San Francisco - Treacherous for beginners, in my opinion.

Bolinas - Some kind of bird problem up there. Don't know about the surf.

Have fun.

[billie_morini]

Thanks for the advice! I have been reading all the warnings which is why I wanted advice. Our party has one experienced surfer ( ex south Africa) but its been years, and two new surfers and we are unfamiliar with the Northern California coast. In BC we have surfed in Tofino, but need a safe beach for the group.

Neat-o! Your crew will require wetsuits. NorCAL water is not warm. Fortunately, you hail from farther north. I used a 4/3 suit when I lived and surfed up there. This is the region I learned to surf in. I like cold water. In mid-Winter (DEC-JAN), I'd wear a sleeveless rash guard under my 4/3 suit and a hat. That got me through. October is not as cold. You all will do fine knowing the water will be cold.

While I hinted that you may not want to surf in SF, you should visit a few of the classic surf shops. There are some really cool ones. Here's a list and if you get to Bolinas, CA, then you must visit the 2 Mile surf shop. At minimum, you'll enjoy the native North American-influenced artwork on display. WE can make a game out of this. Go to at least three of these shops and report which one has a tree house inside. Also, report which one has local artwork for sale on the stair well. Be sure to go to the Wise shop, at minimum. It has classic history.

Wise Surfboards800 Great Hwy, San Francisco, CA - (415) 750-9473
Mollusk Surf Shop4500 Irving St, San Francisco, CA - (415) 564-6300
S F Surf Shop3809 Noriega St, San Francisco, CA - (415) 661-7873
Aqua Surf Shop2830 Sloat Blvd, San Francisco, CA - (415) 242-9283

Have a blast! Post some photos for the rest of us forum members!

[arnold712]

Hi there, can anyone tell share tips and tricks about California trip. I am very curious to visit there but don't have enough awareness to their convenience and stay spots and fun lands. so it will be great suggestion for me if you trouble to share here. it will be my common visit at California though i visited many different destinations but it would be first to California.

[billie_morini]

arnold, Norcal is actually a large region extending roughly from Santa Cruz & Monterey all the way to the northern border. Tell me where you may be going in this region and whether you will have an automobile, please. Then it will be possible to provide some information that you seek.
billie

[RobSF]

Hi
New to this board, traveling from Canada to San Francisco in October and hoping for advice on the best beach(es) to surf for beginner surfers. Thanks !

Hey, Sonya.

I’m not here often, but just saw your post. I live in SF and surf every weekend down at Linda Mar in Pacifica. Definitely the place you want to go, since it’s only 20-25 minutes away (compared to 90 minutes for Santa Cruz to the south or Bolinas across the bridge to the north). Very forgiving to beginners, the old, and the weak. NorCal Surf Shop in the shopping center just south of the beach rents boards and suits, you’re set.

Don’t do Ocean Beach (in the city). It’s for the pros. Strong currents and rips. Though the restaurant at the Beach Chalet is a great place to watch the sunset over the breakers.

Cowells or Pleasure Point in Santa Cruz is good if you’ve got the time. Do Cowells on the low tide, and maybe Pleasure Point, too, especially if you’ve got company who aren’t surfing and would like to sit on the sand while you do your thing. Pleasure Point is aptly named. A beautiful point break where you can surf below the house of Jack O’Neill, the one-eyed inventor of the wetsuit. So if you’ve got the time, go down there.

I lived in BC in high school (sometime before the 1867 confederation). If I’m ever up that way, will ask for local info.

Shaka,

Rob