Good spots for learning to surf in South Orange County, CA?

[OCNewbie]

Hi all,

I am new to this forum and new to surfing. I wanted to check in and see if there are any of the fellow Orange Countians have any recommendations for me on which beach would be the best for learning how to surf.

About me: 34, lived in OC my entire life, but now just became interested in surfing. I have a 7'8" funboard.

I live in Dana Point and usually take my board down to Salt Creek which is probably the worst spot to learn. I usually get into the water at the far end of the beach to avoid everyone. Problem with Salt Creek is that the waves seem to break super close to the shore which freaks me out. Plus, many of the riders there are seasoned and the beach is generally crowded, so I don't think this is the best spot for me.

I have been mulling over just purchasing a CA State Park day use pass and learning how to ride at Doheny and Trails at San Onofre as I have heard that they are good places to start out at.

Is Donehy a good place to learn? Are there other beaches in the area with similar wave patterns? And is the water quality as poor as people say it is?

I don't really have any friends that surf except for one who isn't entirely reliable, so I'd likely be going out on my own.

Anyways, any input would be appreciated. Thanks!

[billie_morini]

dear OC,
the best place to learn is the Dog Patch break at San O. San O is fabulous - big, fat, slow moving swells. The reason one of the three breaks there is called Dog Patch is because it's so good for beginners that even a dog can learn to surf there. It's the southernmost break of the three there.

Trails, Trestles, and Doheny (usually crowded) are not leaner's breaks.
billie

[phaseonesurf]

I second the San O suggestion!

[OCNewbie]

Thanks guys! I am going to buy the CA State Park day use pass and spend more time out at San O.

Cheers!

[arod222]

When you say san onfre i can find it on the map, but i cant find the specific adress on google maps. Could you find me an address as to where i can park and then go out, thanks
Aaron

[cbouza3]

If you youtube "San Onofre Surfing" I think there is even a video that just shows someone driving from the highway into the parking lot.

http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=647

Location-Directions:
San Onofre Bluffs and San Onofre Surf Beach are located south of San Clemente on I-5 (Exit Basilone Road)

[IB_Surfer]

Honestly, last week I went to visit a bud in San Clemente. The surf looked super easy and low crowds. Not big, not steep, so for a begginer it might be worth it. There are two beaches, the pier and what they call the north beach. North beach looked more begginer friendly, Pier was your nomral beach break. Again, no crowds and a lot of begginers

[cbouza3]

Honestly, last week I went to visit a bud in San Clemente.

Did you scope it out during the week or on weekends? Also maybe what time of day? I'm trying to decide if San-O is worth the drive down from Long Beach. If it is indeed light crowds and good beginner waves at a time I can go I'm definitely up for it. Thanks.

[Neil_G]

Honestly, last week I went to visit a bud in San Clemente.

Did you scope it out during the week or on weekends? Also maybe what time of day? I'm trying to decide if San-O is worth the drive down from Long Beach. If it is indeed light crowds and good beginner waves at a time I can go I'm definitely up for it. Thanks.

Cant go wrong with Doheny, closer to the Long Beach and not as far as a walk. lol

small crumbly waves, lots of beginners, this is the true beginners beach.

San O is mellow but will be crowded with alot of Longboarders that really know what there doing.

Even closer to Long Beach is El Porto, which is not per se a beginners beach, but lots of people learn to surf there and even on a crowded day youll find a peak of your own if you walk a little bit.

[cbouza3]

Thanks. Been to Bolsa Chica twice now and might just be going at bad times, but the waves seem to be turning white too close to the beach for me to have any time on them. Looking for something with a bit more time to experiment/learn.