Beginner Surfer -- Relocation help

[conram]

Howdy All, Thanks for looking into my post.
Little background before I post my query :
I am in my late 20s, beginner surfer, actually never surfed so far in life but have been infatuated with the sport, I will be doing my initial lessons some time during the summer.Currently live in Houston and I finally got a job that allows me to live anywhere I wanted in the lower 48 states. I am planning to make a move by September to a place where I can pursue my surfing Dream. I am a newly wed and these are the criterion we are looking for:
1. 15-20 min drive to a surf spot
2. Great weather all year round
3.Close to beautiful beaches,mountains and outdoor activities
4. cities with less traffic congestion(Fed up with the traffic here in Htown)
5.With in a hour of a major airport

After doing some research we both agreed on the following locations

1. San Diego/near by beach communities(Looks the best bet thus far)
2. LA/near by beach communities(Loses out on traffic)
3.Orlando/near by beach communities( loses out on mountains)

What do you folks think would be a better bet for us?? Any other suggestions are welcome and appreciated!!

[oldmansurfer]

Well where I live the majority of houses are within 20 minutes of a surf break. The weather is pretty good but it rains for a couple weeks straight in winter to spring time (but you can still surf). lots of beautiful beaches around and central mountains with great hiking and camping. We have traffic congestion but probably nothing like Houston. it's a 20 minute plane ride to Honolulu airport which is a major airport. But it's an island and you can't drive anywhere except here.

[conram]

I would love to move to Hawaii..unfortunately my work restricts me to the lower 48 .. . I do have a plan to move to hawaii but not in the next 5 years.Any other suggestions ..thanks!!!

[oldmansurfer]

San Diego would be my choice otherwise, Traffic seems not too bad although I haven't been there in 20 years and the weather is closest to Hawaii maybe Florida somewhere but I have never been there and the surf would be small except for hurricanes.

[billie_morini]

Beginner Surfer,
I know all 3 areas from experience you inquired about. If you are talking about Malibu or Santa Monica when thinking about LA, then maybe. If I had to live, work, and surf in LA and Long Beach, then I wouldn't do it. The water and, sometimes, the air is polluted. If you are talking about Orlando, then I would pass. Orlando's climate is only tolerable for 3 months in winter and the surf breaks are not that close. If I could live, work and work in Cocoa Beach, FL, then I may consider it. There's an ocean breeze that makes it tolerable for 9 months of the year and the surf is consistent (but small).

San Diego has surf nearly all year at one break or another. But, you need to investigate housing costs v. salary. Housing costs are some of the highest in the nation and you need to be prepared (as opposed to shocked).

You wrote that you can work anywhere in the lower 48. Therefore, what about Santa Cruz, CA, or Orange County, CA? What about Bolinas, CA? There is massive and nearly endless surf way up north in Humbolt, CA. Oregon is similar, but know that Portland and other major cities are not close to surf.