Spots that are suitable in mid-Oct for beginners in SoCal

[OMMG]

Hi everyone,
we are a family of four, heading mid-October to SoCal. The children are 8 and 13 yo, been surfing for few years on all our holidays (always classes), mostly on the north shore of Fuerteventura, Canary islands. In addition, I have had the chance to try waves in Bali, Basque country and California (beach and reef). Thus, I would describe us all solid beginners. Difference merely being that they have been on beach breaks and I usually go to intermediate classes where we paddle out. Ability: we are trying green waves, learning how to read waves and practicing to turn.

I am desperately searching for some advice regarding surf spots on our route from LA area southwards so from Malibu to Oceanside. We will continue to Encinitas ja La Jolla Shores, so that is covered. My difficulty atm is that I am not able to find information online re good spots that are suitable in winter (Oct-Nov) for beginners. For example, Venice Beach: I read it is a fantastic spot to learn, yet in winter it is for intermediates and advanced surfers, same with Malibu. The beaches that are most accessible during summer might not be the best for us now end of October.
Do you have recommendations where would it work for us? San Onofre? Laguna? Huntington? And of course if you have suggestions re good schools, instructors, that would be awesome.
Thank you in advance!

[BaNZ]

If you've never been out on your own and got into difficulty, then you have to be very careful. I'm still a beginner after 5 years and I occasionally still get myself into trouble.

November is when the swell gets bigger and wetsuits gets thicker. I would say SanO is still manageable provide that you don't go out to the furthest breaks. There's also other surfers that can look out for you and your family.

In my opinion when they rate a beach as beginner, it normally just means that it is not rock or reef bottom so it won't hurt as much when you wipe out. However when the Autumn/Winter swell starts and the waves are overhead. All breaks becomes dangerous and you really need to understand the currents and the break.

It's all about luck and hope you get good forecast of swells that is manageable for you. I'm planning to go in November too but my concern is that it might get too big for me. There are plenty of other things to do when it gets too big or you can just watch and admire how the other people surf!

[billie_morini]

OMMG,
Mellow out, Brah. It’s not that difficult in Autumn in SoCAL.

Immediate points:
1. Winter is surf season in CA. You’ll be right at the beginning of it. There will be waves for beginners.
2. I do not go in the water off shore between LA and Long Beach because the water is polluted. Please consider this for the sake of your children.
3. Your Venice example, while you may have read is for intermediate and advanced surfers in Winter, know that:
A. Mid-October is NOT Winter (Winter is DEC – FEB and surf can be blasting in CA then)
B. You don’t and shouldn’t go where the intermediate and advanced surfers are. Just go on the margins or inside. There will be waves for your family in these areas on the margins of the “good” surf
4. Search our forum, especially for posts from me about beginners’ locations in SoCAL and NorCAL. You’ll find a lot of info quite readily.
5. Another note about Venice, from my perspective. The population density is very high. Too crowded. Too much traffic. Too many surfers. Too many people on the sidewalk. It holds no interest for me. I take relatives from the Continent there after they land at LAX to stretch & see television’s California, but there are more family friendly places.
6. Not about Malibu: sure, California and US surf culture was born here. And there are really nice long board waves, but everything I don’t like about Venice is found here, too. Parking is actually worse.
7. San Onofre State Beach is heaven on earth. All kinds of waves for every type of surfer in a warm and friendly location. Just know there are bowling ball-like rocks along a lot of the beach. They make wading out a little difficult, but they are not a massive bother. Plus, there’s a completely sandy area on the northern end that is fantastic for boogey boarding at low tide.
8. Huntington Beach? This is literally and legally, “Surf City, USA.” It’s a “must see” because professional surfing and beach volleyball events occur annually. There are two massive surf stores across the street from the pier. While around these stores, enjoy the sidewalk stars installed to commemorate surfing’s all-time greatest surfers. Go to the International Surf Museum for a simple and informative visit. Eat at the Sugar Shack, the quintessential surfers’ café (owned and operated by an internationally-known surfer whom used to serve my breakfast at the counter for many early Monday mornings. Even at lunch time, your children will love the flap jacks. If there for dinner, order meatloaf for at least one of your kids.
9. If you make it to La Jolla, then try Swami’s break. You can use surf or boogey boards here. If you want to try something a little different, then surf one or two days at Scripp’s on the UC San Diego campus. It’s by the pier. This break is actually on the campus. If you end up traveling north into the Central Coast, then try one of two breaks on UC Santa Barbara (Campus Point, Devereux). Or, stop short in Ventura County and enjoy Mondos on old highway 1. This is the “San O” of the Central Coast. Lots of fun waves. Mellow people. Lots of family.
10. For surf schools in SoCAL, search our forum for that. A few of our regulars have posted information about this.
11. Meanwhile, I will transmit a private message (PM) to you providing a resource that should help you find everything you will want to know about surfing breaks.
12. Hope your family and you enjoy yourselves beyond expectation.

[steveylang]

Billie gave a great overview, I'll just add some points about Malibu area. There are a lot of surf breaks, but only a couple come to mind as being good for youth beginners. Keep an eye on the forecast, it could be 1-3 ft and fun or 4-5 ft and way too much for your kids.

Sunset Beach is a good beginner spot up to 3 ft. or so, trick is you need to go out at low/lower tide. A lot of Wavestorms out there, it's a nice slopey wave and it breaks on sand (at high tide it breaks on rocks.) You'll see surfers at low tide, and no one out there at high tide:
https://hdontap.com/index.php/video/str ... t-surf-cam

Malibu Surfrider First Point is a classic wave and a joy to surf, but gets really crowded (for a reason.) Its worth checking out if only to watch, especially in bigger swell (3-4 ft.+) It's a proper beach with plenty of sand, lifeguard tower, and a pier to walk. The thing is, it's surfable even in smallest swells, so if it's small it will be less crowded and might be a blast for a family session- I do see kids in the shallows and 10+ second rides can happen even there. Weekday dawn patrol or sunset are probably best times in terms of crowd. There are cobblestones so some booties are recommended for your kids if you want to go for a session there.
https://hdontap.com/index.php/video/str ... u_surf_cam

On a smaller day, Second Point might work well, it's always much less crowded:
http://solspot.com/content/north-pacifi ... california

[surfinggrrrl]

I would check Malibu during the mid week. If nothing else, its a great place to watch the experts
Leo Carrillo, and Topanga are not as crowded, also mellow waves.