Surfing In California

[EastCostLongboarder]

I am a longboarder from the East Coast (of England) and have the opportunity to go to California in November but I have some questions!
What is California like in November and can anyone suggest a couple of nice spots to visit (I like nice 3-4ft mellow sessions)?
Is there much hassle in the water (Localism)?
Is the shark problem as bad as I have been told (or are people just trying to scare me)?

[Uluwatu]

november is big in California, so 3-4 foot is everywhere, pretty consistantly. Its when the swells start shifting from the S to the W or NW. where in California are you going.

Yes there is localism, especially at the mellower longboard spots; that is if you go out there without scoping the break first and act like you are Joel Tudor but really aren't. You'll be able to spot the locals immediately. they will know exactly where and how the break works and have it dialed in. Do not get in their way, wait your turn, be polite and most importantly check you are not dropping in on anyone. There are plenty of waves, when its your turn/wave, go and rip. Above all be polite. Its packed enough here.

sharks?! I have surfed breaks where they "supposedly" are lurking. Sharks are attracted to seals and/or dead things on or near the beach. so unless you are surfing in a seal spawning area (which is highly doubtful as seals are more localized than Huntington Pier on july 4th) or there is a dead thing at the water line that the shark can smell, you have very little to worry about.

Caveat: the above is not insurance, its assurance. weird things can happen, karma etc, or you just happen to be surfing in Santa Cruz where localism and sharks are abundant.

[EastCoastLongboarder]

Thanks for the info!

It should be OK, I am always polite and (nearly) never drop in.

As for acting like Joel Tudor - I wish I were THAT good but I KNOW I'm not! I like to go out and enjoy myself - isn't that why we surf?

As for the Info. on Sharks - you have eased my worries a little but I seem to have an irrational fear of them, verging on the point of paranoira (I know it's stupid!!)

Lastly I am unsure as to where exactly we are going, as I am meeting up with a friend who is flying in from Oz - and as he'll be doing the driving I think I'll let him decide!

Thanks again!!

[Frustrated Surfer]

Hey,

I am also visitng california but in August when I imagine it will baking hot and waves not so good. I dont have much control over my stop off points and probably wont get more than a few days to surf (family holiday but heck the folks are paying). I will be a few days in San Fransisco then driving down to LA stopping for I think 2 days about halfway down the coastal highway, then stopping in LA for the rest of the trip.

I would be grateful for info on good surf spots around these areas I also use a longboard and like nice medium sized swells, am not great mainly due to lack of practice living hundreds of miles from the main uk surf spots, get there once a month if im lucky. Am used to surfing crowded breaks so hopefully good at avoiding getting myself in the way. Not taking board just wetty is hire availability good?