New to LA, needing some assistance and advice!

[robert0085]

Hi everyone I am new to to the site and was looking for some assistance.

I am moving in September to LA from South America.

I was wondering which wetsuit thickness would be the best?, something that would suit me for the winter and year through. I will be going mainly to Venice, Santa Monica for my sessions.

Other than that I was wondering about the crowd and localism factor at this breaks?.

Also if any recommendations on other surf spots in LA that I should check out I would really appreciate. I've never in surfed Calif or in cold weather so if you tell me a little bit about the experience. I've been surfing since since about 2003, done a few trips but never bothered going anywhere where I had to wear a wetsuit so I really don't know that much about water temperature or wetsuit thickness since I didn't even had to worry about it hahaha

Thanks in advance guys!!

[IMinCA]

Welcome! For the most part, I think a 3/2 is suffice for Venice and Santa Monica. I have low tolerance of cold weather and a 3/2 works well for me. You'll find that as winter get closer, you are warmer in the water vs. outside. I go to Venice and Santa Monica, actually learned in Venice, it's pretty chilled there. There are a lot of surf school around the area, so the locals are pretty understanding and share the water. Hollister, Sunset or Bay St is where the locals go to. Look for metered parking and not the 7dll parking.

Depending on your level of experience, San Onofre is pretty good for both beginners and experts. It's not in L.A, it's about 60 minutes south towards San Diego. I personally love it there...Everyone is very very chilled, very family oriented and facilities (bathroom, shower, surf board rack to rinse and dry your board) is def a plus.

Point Dume is more for non beginners, the trip down to the beach is a journey in itself. It's a very secluded area, frankly b/c only serious surfers would lug their board down a steep, worn down metal stairs.

I would invest in booties for those really cold days or if you want to go to San O. There is also Doheny and Tresles in San Diego county.

I don't surf much after Dec till Feb or so, so I can't really tell you how cold the water gets during those times, but I believe if I can survive the cold, anyone can.

[robert0085]

thanks a lot for your help man! i really appreciate it!

[IMinCA]

thanks a lot for your help man! i really appreciate it!

Woman , no prob!

[robert0085]

hahaha sorry about that!

[spectrefish]

Welcome to LA!

I surf Venice year round with a 3/2 and when it gets deep into winter, I get a little chilly on overcast days. I wore a friend's 4/3 one day and was seriously overheating! I'd rather be a little chilly than overheated. Booties help keep your feet warm. During the summer you don't need a wetsuit at all though I usually use a spring suit.

It's rare to run into someone with attitude at Venice. Most people that go out are really great. Some like to chat, some like to keep to themselves.

If you have the time, county line is a great place to surf. Always a crowd and I've seen some confrontations there several times but you can avoid the big crowd by paddling down the beach a little way. Even had a minor confrontation myself when I still considered myself a beginner. I dropped in on the guy, then I fell. I apologized and he paddled off somewhere else. He was pretty mad.

There is the ever-popular malibu. Ultra-crowded.

Sunset can be fun if it's firing. Watch out for big boulders. I prefer to stay on sandy bottom breaks for now until I feel my skill has improved. Punched a large hole in the bottom of my board at Topanga one day and realized it could have been my head. Need some more confidence before I try a reef again