SoCal mid Feb - San Onofre?

[Oldie]

Hi all, I will be again to a conference in Anaheim in two weeks and want to use free time to surf Sunday and Monday. I did surf Newport Beach and Huntington Beach last year and would like to see other spots. As a longboarder, I thought trying San Onofre, and rent a board in St Clemente, I.e combine it with a visit to Stewart’s Surfshop. Would that make sense? Any tips for me? Thank you!

[BaNZ]

https://usedsurf.com/ is in san clemente and have a good board selection.

Been to Newport and HB. I did not even bother getting in the water. Once you surf San O, you can't go anywhere else. If it gets too big, you can go to Doheny. Get to San O early, like when it opens at 6am. That's when it is normally offshore or no wind.

Watch the cobbles, they will shred you if you're not careful when going out. I would suggest boots or just start paddling as soon as it is deep enough for the fin.

[nooshie]

I've had some of my very best waves at San Onofre, so definitely try it! I've also found the wave somewhat puzzling at times. Sometimes you have to paddle for it as it's basically breaking on your head which can be a bit unnerving lol, but this might just be my weak paddling power. I also had a bad high-tide encounter with the rocks as I was exiting that resulted in some dings. It can be a long paddle out to Old Man's but Dog Patch (to the left of Old Man's if you're on the shore looking at the sea) is not quite as far out and a fun wave.

Doheny is super fun but not really breaking lately. But if it's big everywhere else, Doheny will probably be breaking and it will be fun for sure.

Blackies in Newport Beach is also a fun longboard spot. A little bit of a faster wave and shorter paddle out. But parking on the weekends can be an extreme sport at times.

[BaNZ]

It can be a long paddle out to Old Man's but Dog Patch (to the left of Old Man's if you're on the shore looking at the sea) is not quite as far out and a fun wave.

The point is much easier to paddle out compared to the other ones. The only issue with that break is that it isn't really a party wave unless you know the locals.

[Oldie]

Super, thank you!

[billie_morini]

Oldie, San O all the way!!!
February is very good time, too!

This is what I like about Huntington Beach: infamous Sugar Shack Cafe, surf Museum, Surfers' walk of fame (think Hollywood stars in sidewalk) all around the 2 big surf shops at the pier, and riding a few waves alongside the pier where pro competition occurs.

This is why I didn't surf much at Huntington when I lived there: hunting for parking, paying for parking, and aggro surfers.

Newport pier to the south of Huntington is mellow and pleasant. If you want more wave punch, then go north of Huntington to Seal Beach.

But, hands down San O is the place to go! You'll love it. Arrive early to avoid park entrance delay or arrive when great surf decreases to to good surf (that's when locals leave and there's no park entry delay). Bring booties because the bowling ball size cobbles at San O shore are tough on bare feet.

[billie_morini]

oh, nooshie mentioned Blackie's long board break in Huntington. I never liked the vibe there, whether in the sea or on land.

[Oldie]

SanO it will be on Feb 9 & 10 !! Thanks for the advice. So much looking forward to it. Off to Sankt Anton first

[Oldie]

Just checking the forecast, and not knowing the location - will this be surfable? Especially as the wave energy looks very low most times.

[BaNZ]

I use surfline for SanO and it shows 3ft+ not sure if MSW is accurate.

When the sets comes in, it's usually pretty big. Remember to always take the first wave of the set, it's usually the best.

[billie_morini]

Oldie, compared "your" charts, BaNZ' note above, and my fave forecast. It does not look so good. It's still worth going. San O is a pleasure, even when waves are small. I've been there when there are no waves at all. I stop in for brief rests and sea sights when traveling in the area by car for work. At minimum, you can learn the park layout so you'll know better for future. It's a gem.

[IB_Surfer]

Dude, you'll love San-O, fun long rides sometimes. Also think of doing Malibu, you can claim you did and have a blast doing it.

[BoMan]

Oldie, compared "your" charts, BaNZ' note above, and my fave forecast. It does not look so good. It's still worth going. San O is a pleasure, even when waves are small.

You read the crystals well!
https://www.surfline.com/surf-report/the-point-at-san-onofre/5842041f4e65fad6a7708831

[Oldie]

It was really bad. 4 different microswells and onshore wind. Very messy. Apparentyl wrong timing with regards to tide, which was very low. No one out - on a Sunday.

[Oldie]

I went to Malibu on the last morning. What a nice place! Waves were clean but super small, and a few very good longboarders showed that it is possible to have fun despite the size. Unfortunately i lost so much time in a traffic jam (3h from Anaheim to Malibu ...), that i had not enough time left before boarding my plane. I would imagine this spot is super crowded in good conditions.

[billie_morini]

So sorry, Oldie, that conditions, including traffic, were less than ideal. But, you experienced enough to know you wish to return!

Yes, Malibu offers sweet waves. It factors large in early US surfing history. YES, it can be a zoo on good days! But, now you've seen where some of the Gidget movies (fictional 1959-1960's surfer girl) were filmed. You may have even seen the surf break where pro surfer Mickey Muñoz served as stunt double for actress Sandra Dee (Gidget).