Where's the best surf in the USA?

[Stone Fox]

I'm not talking single biggest break, like Mavericks. I'm talking the best all round area for surfers, i.e warm water a good range of breaks and consistant swell.

[Dr Rev]

You off on holiday again mate ???

[thaya]

like I said, Hawaii (imo) i'm soooooooooooooooooo jealous!!!

wishing I could take off right now. have you researched other places any further yet?

[jethrodog]

I haven't surfed alot in the USA but I do like Santa Cruz alot. Double overhead and a soiled wetsuit at Steamer's Lane makes it the best break I have ever surfed.

[Otter]

Without a doubt, Hawaii has the best breaks in the U.S.A.

Coming in second would be San Diego, as far as consistently fine surf IMHO. You've got Swami's, Sunset Cliffs, Pipes, San Elijo, the list goes on! Then to the north is Orange County, Seal Beach, Salt Creek, Huntington Beach, Newport. North of that is L.A., which pretty much is Malibu or breaks like Indicator in Palos Verdes. El Porto & Redondo. North of L.A. is Ventura, County Line, Hollywood by the Sea, California Street, Fairgrounds, Rincon del Diablo.

[Stone Fox]

I was under the impression Hawaii didn't have a great Variety of breaks, they were all pretty hairy...

Yeah, basically I was listening to two guys argue as to whether the surf was better in LA or SD and it got me thinking.

[SDCali]

I was under the impression Hawaii didn't have a great Variety of breaks, they were all pretty hairy...

Yeah, basically I was listening to two guys argue as to whether the surf was better in LA or SD and it got me thinking.

not all breaks in Hawaii are hairy.
as for the CA breaks, you mentioned warm water, and I believe SanDiego has LA and OC beat in that department.

[parrysurf]

Yeah yeah sd is best......you don't even have you paddle out at some spots....you can walk from board to board. F@#$ SD....if ya really know CA you know where it's at. If ya don't...go surf SD.

I'm guessing the guy who posted SD, is a SD surfer who has not traveled his own state much....California is loaded with gems...even secret, epic island surf.....if you know where to look..
..if good surf=warm water...go to Hawaii or Costa Rica.

[CHarvey]

Last summer the water got up to 78 here in San Diego. It was awsome!

[isaluteyou]

Hawaii

second has to be san diego (remember trestles is not exactly a mission to get to from san diego) But Catch a decent swell and there is so much variety - blacks, swamis, the cliffs, big rock, etc etc..... If you have a little local knowledge you should never be without unless its flat across the board

[Hang11]

I'm no expert, but would like to say that I spent a very enjoyable few weeks on Maui, and scored heaps of good waves. Plenty of variety, top place for a holiday IMO.