Surfing Waves

Hi, I’m going to Cali for holiday in about 6 weeks and need some help. (from Europe btw) I'm planning on surfing for about 7 days, so buying a cheap used board and a worn out wetsuit (I'm a student. so my budget is pretty limited ) is my best option (planning on selling before leaving the US).

First question - would I be able to handle a fish/hybrid, if my only exp. is on a longboard? I've surfed in Portugal and French Polynesia and I think it went pretty well (I'm an alpine skier + baseball player), considering how little experience I had.

Second question - any good "beginner" spots from SF to LA, where I won't get slammed for being kinda new to this. I will travel by car and mostly sleep in a tent, my only goals are to surf and enjoy Cali.

Thanks for any help and tips!
btw what is a must see/visit near the coast?

From my own experience. I was not able to surf the fish/hybrid 6'3 after 1.5 years of longboard. Summer waves are generally smaller in California. I would suggest just to rent a smaller board there to try it first. You might be better than me at learning.

So i'm thinking you'll be wasting a full day going around looking for a decent board and wetsuit ( and going back and finding it had already sold ). Then wasting another 1/2 to full day trying to hawk your board to some buyer. Plus if you haven't surfed a Fish before, your arms will be too sore to move the next day. So your 7 days of "surfing" might actually be more like 4 days.

You may also want to read this:
When Parked at a Public Park
Municipal codes govern city parks and each county will have its own set of laws. In San Diego, it is illegal to camp or sleep in any public park or beach. Thus, one cannot sleep in his car in a public park or beach in San Diego County. In Los Angeles County, camping is only allowed where designated, and then only in accordance with the rules and regulations governing the use of such area. In San Francisco, no person shall occupy any "house car, camper or trailer coach for human habitation." This includes sleeping, eating or resting on any street, park, beach or public way within the County of San Francisco between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. County municipal codes can usually be found online at the specific county clerk's office website.

When Parked at a Public Rest Stop
According to the California Department of Transportation, it is legal to have your car parked for up to eight hours in a 24-hour period in a rest area. However, it is illegal to "camp or pitch a tent." If you are merely taking a nap under eight hours long, it is most likely legal. But, if you consistently sleep in the same spot or have any items outside the car, a judge or officer will most likely determine your activity is camping which is illegal. If your car is a larger van or RV then it may look more like camping to the officer in which case you could be told to leave, given a ticket or even arrested.

https://legalbeagle.com/12305435-illega ... ornia.html

Thank you for the replies.
I will be staying in camp sites and camping grounds, so nothing illegal, guess I should've specified more ! Well, if you advise against buying, what should I do? I might just visit a surf shop (rental)/surf school and ask them, maybe rent a long and let them see me surf and tell me what’s the right choice for me... but since I'm not planning on staying at the same beach for more than 2 days, renting might be a problem :/ and prob. will get more expensive.
The reason for wanting to try a Fish is that I felt pretty limited on a longboard. I don't mind my arms being sore, I'm planning on surfing and then spending the rest of the day recovering and I wouldn't mind cutting my time in the water down to 4-5 days, if it meant more "fun", if you know what I mean. If I get the chance to try it and see for myself that would be best I guess… wouldn’t want to rush into something I can't handle!

Simply put if you feel limited on a longboard, you are going to feel frustrated on a fish at your level of surfing, fish are best driven by rail to rail surfing by a skilled surfer, at most when you do catch a wave the fish will feel squirrelly and erratic. But try on first day of rental,try both , make your own judgement and buy or hire accordingly!

honza098 wrote:The reason for wanting to try a Fish is that I felt pretty limited on a longboard.

Well your other question was for “any good beginner spots ?” Beginners shouldn’t be on Fishes. And if you do try to ride a Fish in a beginner spot, you’ll be surrounded by soft tops ( and have to take off more inside of where the wave is steeper ). So you’ll be in the way and take a few hits to the head.
Proper vehicle for the proper race course.

I posted a question about beginner spots in the LA area a little while ago. Got a ton of great advice:
viewtopic.php?f=4&t=34223

Mondos in Ventura was wonderful. It was small when I went but I was on a longboard so perfect for me.

In the SF area check out Bolinas. I took a lesson with 2 mike surf shop and it was super fun! I believe they do rentals as well. Gorgeous area too. Super laid back hippie beach town.

Thank you for all the answers!

nooshie wrote:I posted a question about beginner spots in the LA area a little while ago. Got a ton of great advice:
viewtopic.php?f=4&t=34223

Mondos in Ventura was wonderful. It was small when I went but I was on a longboard so perfect for me.

In the SF area check out Bolinas. I took a lesson with 2 mike surf shop and it was super fun! I believe they do rentals as well. Gorgeous area too. Super laid back hippie beach town.

<heart> this!