I've got a surfing buddy that has lived in Santa Barabara for many decades. He surfs like a Greek warrior, too! He said this about Santa Barbara in the summer, "SB being fairly slow in the summer time. We face due south, directly into the onslaught of the hurricane and southern hemi south swells BUT the channel islands (a National Park) block them from our coast. So aside from some smaller wind swell (plenty) we travel ½ hour south to Ventura or 1 hour north to Jalama (which is one of absolutely most gorgeous spots in all of California). Your other options are to have a boat (I have a small inflatable) and surf the Ranch (Gaviota to Pt conception – certainly as good as any surf in the state) or the islands (you really need something a little bigger for the islands). Depending on your skill level, you can usually find something to ride within an hour most anytime of year, but yes, winter is the true highlight of the Santa Barbara surf scene – Rincon, sandspit and many points and reefs are the real attraction. Summertime is great for the beach though – lots of great spots with small waves to play around in. Again, if you want bigger surf in the summer, we drive ½ hour or so. Ive been doing it for so long it hardly even seems like driving – its just a standard sat-sun am surf check with some (usually) good surf at the end of it.
Summing up the SB surf – we are a bit inconsistent, but when the surf is good here, it is as good or better than anywhere in the state."
I know from surfing with him near then end of March 2008 there are good breaks within miles of Isla Vista. They are Isla Vista Beach, Devereux Point, Campus Point, Sands, Naples, Poles, Goleta Beach, Naples, Ed's, El Capitan, and Refugio. I personnally like Refugio.
Although, they suffer in the summer due to the Channel Islands. Go here to learn more about them and ignore the silly talk from the immature:
http://www.wannasurf.com/spot/North_Ame ... index.html
Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2008 11:33 pm