good starting locations for beginning surfer

[blue_blue]

what up you guys - I'm finishing school right now, I will be finished in March. I want to learn how to surf, and am considering moving out to California pretty seriously so that I can do that. My question is pretty much that - where's the best place to move to learn how to surf having no experience? I'm pretty athletic and love the outdoors so I'm pretty pumped about it, I just don't know where to start.

[billie_morini]

San Diego offers more than 110 surf breaks, so there is almost always some place to surf. With that many breaks and the coastline geography, there are many breaks for learners. If you prefer a small, cool, and highly surf oriented place, then go to Santa Cruz. There are less breaks than San Diego, but there are several good spots for all levels that break consistently. You didn't say whether you have been out here before, but know that the water is not warm. It is warmer the farther south you go in California.

[Liquid Peace]

San Diego is a great place to live & surf. You may need some "rubber" year round but not too bad. Santa Cruz is a tough "gig"; year-round cold!

Waikiki, HI is an awesome place to learn and live.

Charleston, SC, (Folly Beach) is a good place to learn & exceptional place to live. The waves are not as consistent as the other places mentioned but big enough for beginners and very warm water in the summer;84 degrees.

[billie_morini]

In response to Liquid Peace's comments about water temp and wetsuits: I always found Santa Cruz water temp to be ideal. I learned to surf there and north of San Francisco. I'm accustomed to and enjoy cold water. Santa Cruz was a little bit warmer than the more northern breaks I frequented.

I live in Santa Barbara now (much further south) and everyone uses 3/2 suits. These suits are so thin and stretchy that it is almost like not wearing a suit.

I've surfed in and slightly north of San Diego at different times of year. It's quite warm by comparison to anything else I've experienced in California. There are periods of the year, IMO, that a wetsuit is simply not needed.

I know Charleston, South Carolina, but haven't been there since surfing interests have developed. When I used to live in North Carolina, Charleston was a sleepy, deep southern community. Hard to imagine it has a strong surfing culture like you find in NorCAL, Santa Cruz, Santa Barbara/Ventura, and San Diego. To me, this culture is part of the fun.

Liquid Peace, can you comment on the surfing culture in SC, please? It's an interest to me and, perhaps, others.

[Liquid Peace]

billie,

I have lived in San Diego, CA, Charleston, SC and now live in Wilmington, NC and all have strong surfing cultures. Charleston is not sleeping anymore and the surfers, especially in Folly Beach, well, "rip"! Wilmington, NC is strong as well, UNCW has a very strong surf team and the area is filled with dedicated, friendly surfers.

1 note: Charleston, SC is the cooler town, more going on culturally, and historic downtown Charleston is unique and full of life.

[parrysurf]

cal state channel islands...ssssssssshhhh! keep it a secret. Rincon to Malibu.....does it get better?

[blue_blue]

guys thank you so much, these responses are really helpful.
I actually have a few more questions based on y'alls responses //

Billie / Liquid Peace, I've never been to cali - I'm currently in Georgia, I have lived here my whole life and have always wanted to end up out west in some shape or form - I've been to colorado and new mexico briefly and have wanted to go back pretty bad. I'm also planning on pursuing music when I finish school, and am curious about the music scene out there as well, in these surfing communities especially. I play acoustic stuff so I'd love to hear your thoughts on that..

Honestly, Charleston is close to where I am now so I'm pretty pumped that you guys recommend that as a possible starting point, I will definitely check it out. As far as water warmth in cali goes though, I'll be honest and say that I am definitely interested in the warmest water possible - out of the beaches that you mentioned and maybe even some you haven't, are there any locations in cali that are warm enough that you wouldn't need a wetsuit the majority of the time?

[Liquid Peace]

Wow, I played in both Charleston & San Diego and for the size of the towns, believe it or not Charleston had the better music scene but that was 10 years ago. I liked playing in San Diego as well, forgiving, laid back crowds and lots of fun. I gave up on that dream but don't you ever give up, I still play and write stuff but it is just for fun now.

You will need Neoprene the majority of the time in San Diego! San Diego is essentially many small beach communities along the coast, each with its own personality. I liked Ocean Beach the best for various surf breaks and laid back community. Yeah, I know there are more communities East but I never wanted to be off the coast, the coast is where I belong.

[blue_blue]

Awesome, thank you so much for your feedback!! Awesome that you did music too, good to know you're still playing
what do you mean by there are more communities East?