where to surf in so cal?

[calisurfer55]

what up! i am new to surfing, and new to california, and was wondering if anyone could suggest some good beaches for beginners in the so cal area. i live in santa monica, so somewhere relatively close would be great. some place not packed with intimidating surfers. thanks!

[pkbum]

I mean the best beginner beach in socal has to be malibu. its so slow breaking and mushy. But the only problem in that spot is that the crowd is huge and is wild. So I think going to your local sheltered break might be the best option.

[the.ronin]

I grew up surfing that area.

You need to check out Sunset beach. Its the rocky right point break right behind Gladstones where Sunset meets PCH. You’ll want to wear booties. Don’t let the huge rocks intimidate you – they are what create the extremely forgiving mushy waves. Being a point break, they can be long rides too. Don’t enter from the beach area – go down the incline where the parking for Gladstones ends.

A decent beachbreak to learn if Sunset is flat (and it is a lot), is Bay street. Just cruise up the incline and make your way to Main and park anywhere there (metered) by ZJ Bording House. Then just walk to the beach.

Back in the day, Topanga was a pretty localized spot. (Where I pulled the full on barney move of trying to learn there haha.) But it is an awesome point break. Between there and Zuma are some really nice (once?) isolated breaks. I agree though, Malibu is a madhouse. I think I might have surfed there only a handful of times in my whole life. It’s just too overly hyped. There are some spots around the colony though that can go off practically untouched. Zuma itself can be fun but it can be a complete close-out too. Between Zuma and Ventura County Line are a bunch more breaks. If you can deal with the drive, County Line is an awesome place to surf. I surfed there the most when I was growing up.

As for places not packed ... I would just get used to surfing in crowds until you start finding your own spots.

[parrysurf]

http://www.wannasurf.com/spot/North_Ame ... index.html
This is a good resource for local as well as when traveling.
14 and 45 are good beginner spots....won't be as crowded as Malibu, I would recommend waiting on Malibu till you are a bit more accomplished.

If you are willing to drive to ventura, you could try Mondos....not sure if it is on wannasurf but prolly. Mondos is a soft wave with a friendly crowd. I teach my kids there on the weekends.

Good luck...keep the stoke

[LOLRuss]

I was out there recently and really enjoyed County Line (Ventura County line), across from Neptune's. I'm terrible, but had fun, so it should be ok if the surf isn't too big

[parrysurf]

^ CL is the closest spot to my office.....if I can't be located....good chance I'm at county. It is ok for beginners, but it is always crowded, and there are some good guys who will make it hard for the newbs to get waves.

[the.ronin]

For the CL folks, hows Staircases these days?

[LOLRuss]

^ CL is the closest spot to my office.....if I can't be located....good chance I'm at county. It is ok for beginners, but it is always crowded, and there are some good guys who will make it hard for the newbs to get waves.

Dude, your break gave me an ear infection

[billie_morini]

Get this book: Surfing California - a complete guide to the best breaks on the California coast

Authors: Raul Guisado and Jeff Klaas

Publisher: A Falcon Guide

Where to buy: Amazon dot com & look for used for even better price

Reason: I read this book all the time and keep it in my Surfmobile (Isuzu Trooper)

[the.ronin]

Is it just me or does anyone else cringe at the idea of a book or website that has all the spots identified for you on a silver platter? Granted, I’m sure there are a ton more spots that aren’t in any book or website ... one would hope at least.

But wasn’t half the fun of surfing trying out new breaks? What happened to taking that random left turn into the residential area, pulling over, finding that break in the fenceline (never hopped a fence ... no, never ... really) and being treated to unridden pealing waves?

[parrysurf]

Get this book: Surfing California - a complete guide to the best breaks on the California coast

Authors: Raul Guisado and Jeff Klaas

Publisher: A Falcon Guide

Where to buy: Amazon dot com & look for used for even better price

Reason: I read this book all the time and keep it in my Surfmobile (Isuzu Trooper)

Bible...it does not have all the spots..but when ya travel to a part of the coast ya don't know......Bible

[parrysurf]

^ CL is the closest spot to my office.....if I can't be located....good chance I'm at county. It is ok for beginners, but it is always crowded, and there are some good guys who will make it hard for the newbs to get waves.

Dude, your break gave me an ear infection

It and the others around here have given me a solid case of surfers EAR!!
Plugged ear anyone?...hello..hello,huhh, uhh...I can't hear you!!