Going to SoCal in December, looking for a good spot ...

[chimchim]

... for me and the wife to catch some waves. We're flying into LAX, and would like to stay close to there, as we will eventually be heading to Palm Springs to visit the family.

I'm an intermediate and my wife is a beginner ..

I was thinking Huntington Beach ... seems to get some waves most of the time and there are a plethora of rental shops nearby ...

Thoughts? Suggestions?

Thanks, chimchim

[Sykes]

Huntington Beach is good, but it used to be the case that the locals there could get a bit aggro. That is years and years ago, and it might be different now. A little further south, San Onofre has some good spots. My brother keeps raving about Old Man's, and the laid back attitude of the guys in the lineup there.

Don't forget your wetsuits, the water is COLD that time of year.

[oldgrom]

Chimchim,, Sykes called it dead on,, say ya go to San O it's the Hawaii of California in surf (Only stop for ASP tour and many outher surf competitions) (that's how good it is there) and the surf vibe is way way cool all peeps are their just to have a fun time. It's allso one of the best spots to learn surfing,,, ever... It's surf will suit you perfect. Huntington is a lil hostile and way harder to surf and don't think you'll like it much and is no comparison to San O.
From LAX to SAN O is about an 1 1/2 hr drive south and $10.00 to get a day pass. You'll need to have your boards allready with you for there is no rental,store,anything close by. Oh yea you will want wetsuits to it will be cold for sure. Recomend surf booties to for San O .

[TReMoR]

i have to agree with oldgrom! alhough i havent been to San O....Huntington has a really strong current, which dragged me under the pier .. haha. I guess you can go just for the fact that it is "surf city"
but then if the waves are firing there... then i doubt a beginner could handle it. .... and there is also A LOT of surfers around the pier, even on weekdays

[chimchim]

Thanks for the input guys.

Any suggestions to grab some boards near or on the way to San O?

We'll have our wetsuits with us.

Thanks! chimchim

[scsurf]

I live in San Clemente, the last town before San O and I don't know of a shop in town that rents.
However in Dana Point the town just north of us you'll find at least 2 shops that I know of that rent ( Killer Dana & Infinity ) you might see more as you drive around the area. How's Trixy?

[billie_morini]

chim,
san O is the place to go. It's my favorite! Sure Malibu near LA is classic and Huntington Beach a little to the south is, too, but San O is soooo MUCH better in terms of consistency, mellow vibe, and a place good for people that can't surf frequently. That said, do stop in at Huntington beach to do some surf-related site seeing in Surf City, USA. Go to the:

1. original Sugar Shack restaurant for breakfast, 213 Main Street http://www.stockteam.com/sugar_shack.html (it's served surfers for decades)

2. Jack's surf shop, 101 Main Street, http://www.jackssurfboards.com/locations/locations.html (it's huge and been selling surf stuff for 50 years)

3. International Surfing Museum, 411 Olive Ave, http://www.surfingmuseum.org/index1.html (it's small, but fun & the old dudes that help run the place know nearly everything that is going on in the local surf scene)

All locations listed above are within walking distance of one another. Park in one of the sea side public lots (pay); then walk. When I bring visitors to these locations, I usually park in the public lot to the left (south) of Duke's Restaurant, 317 Pacific Coast Hwy, http://www.dukeshuntington.com/

Down at San O, you will find 3 main beaches. Pay at the ranger station near the highway exit, drive to and park in the sandy-dirt lot below the cliffs (farther south you go, the better because), the southernmost beach is the best for beginners. It's called Dog Patch because the surf is so gentle and perfect that even a dog should be able to learn to surf there. You may not initially realize there are fresh water showers are hidden in bamboo stands between the parking lot and beach. You'll see a lot of cool older guys that have spent their lives surfing, as well as, their children and grandchildren. There are no services at the San O surf spot, so bring drinks and snacks.

After you enjoy the surf, thank your lucky stars that many thousands of surfing activists have been working hard to prevent a private concern from building a toll road directly through (and ruining) this wonderful place (http://www.surfermag.com/features/onlineexclusives/san-onofre-nuclear-power-plant-2-13-08/). Families have been going there for generations and these bonds have been defeating the developer and the state representatives that champion the road constructoin. (Opinon: I hate CA traffic, too, but there really does come a time when nature has to be given precedence.

You may wonder what the plant is that has the spherical chimney stacks just south of Dog Patch. It is one of the US's older and best nuclear power plants ([url][url]http://www.nrc.gov/info-finder/reactor/sano2.html[/url][/url]). It's the only one that I know of that uses these types of stacks. Do NOT be alarmed by this power plant. I know from my professional experience that it is safe and does not negatively impact the environment or organisms that are near to it.

You will have a great time!

[chimchim]

Thanks for all the great info / advice!

I knoiw the area pretty well as I spent some time on base when I was in the Corps, but I wasn't surfing a lot then, so this helps!

Can't wait to get wet!

[billie_morini]

chimchim,
here is a list of all the surf shops in San Clemente (near San O). I'm sure you can find rentals with this list.

All in San Clemente:

B.C. Surfing Design, 222 N. El Camino Real, 949-498-9085

Brad's Foam Shop, 209 Calle de los Molinos, 949-361-2203

Byrning Spears Surfboards, 1321 Calle Valle Suite A, 949-369-5739

Dev Surfboards, 207 Calle de los Molinos, 949-366-0703

Dewey Weber Surfboards, 1321 Calle Valle, 949-366-6398

K O Surfboards Fiberglassing, 207 Calle de los Molinos, 949-492-4993

Kaysen Surf Designs, 216 Calle de los Molinos, 949-492-4132

Lost Surfboards, 147 Los Obreros Lane, 949-492-2566

Mc Elroy Surfboards, 136 1/2 Calle de los Molinos, 949-492-2253

Midget Smith, 209 Calle de los Molinos, 949-361-9283

Paskowitz Family Surf Camp, 164 W. Avenida Ramona, 949-361-9283

Rick James Surfboards, 1755 N. El Camino Real, 949-492-2566

Rip Curl Surf Center, 3801 S. El Camino Real, 949-498-4920

Rocky Surf and Sport, 100 S. El Camino Real, 949-361-2946

San Clemente Surf CO, 1755 N. El Camino Real, 949-492-5721

San Clemente Surfboards, 2209 1/2 S. El Camino Real, 949-361-5885

Stewart Surfboard Manufacturer, 2102 S. El Camino Real, 949-492-1085

Surf More Products Manufacturing, 250 Calle Pintoresco, 949-492-0753

Surfboards by Travis, 1522 Calle Valle, 949-366-9262

T. Patterson Surfboards, 1425 Los Obreros Lane, 949-366-2022

Worldcore, 151 Avenida del Mar, 949-492-6355

[scsurf]

I saw some Fomies out in front of Stewart when I drove by the other day. Probably would be my 1st choice.

Rip Curl is a mega store, likely might have rentals.
B.C. people are cool, don't know if they have rentals.
Midget Smith just passed away recently I think he just shaped Though.
Dev I do know just shapes.
K.O. just glasses.
Worldcore is now Hobie mostly t-shirts etc..

A lot of the local shops are geared mostly for selling only because were not a real touristy town. Most of the coast is fronted with homes.

This is only a update with what little I have first hand knowledge of. I'm not trying to dis billie and His excellent research.
Just thought it might help to narrow down the search.
I'm better at knowing where the good eating places are.