New jersey to Los Angeles???

[DanJS14]

So I am moving from new jersey to LA, driving cross country in a mitsubishi lancer. I have a 9' longboard I wanna take with me. Can you fit a longboard on the top rack of a sedan likethat? Should I worry about theft, when I stop along the way in different US cities on the way there? In LA, what are good beginner beaches to go to. Do you need a wetsuit in the sumer?

What wetsuits do you need in what time of the year? Like, how cold does the water get in the winter?

[Old Guys Rule]

I would always worry about the theft of the board. Keep the speeds down to avoid doing dammage to the board, and have it in a board bag so you don't have pebbels shooting up hitting it.

The water temp is aoubt 68 to 70 degrees right now. It gets down to 55 in in the winter but is ussually about 58 most of winter. I use a 4/3 for dawn patrol on the cold days, other then that a 3/2 is great.

I surf more OC so I will let someone else answer on the spots in LA. Winter time usuallly brings us are larger swells.

[boco rio]

That would put a lot of stress on the board. Your board would probably develope stress cracks as a result. Plus all the hassle. The wise thing to do would be sell the board and buy another when you get out to the west coast.

[Otter]

Not to want to disagree, but I don't feel the trip would be harmful to the board in a meaningful way. I do agree that a board bag would be a good idea, to avoid damage due to itinerant rocks, etc. that the big rigs may kick your way. As far as decent beaches in LA, forget it. You've either got to hit Malibu or go further north, or hit El Porto in Manhatten Beach. The rest pretty much sucks, unless you feel really adventurous and want to travel to Palos Verdes, do some decent climbing/hiking (if you can get past security nowadays...). Head north to Ventura or south to OC or San Diego.

[rich r]

If it's in a board bag and you pack it right with some cushioning, you'll be fine with it on top of the car.

[cy]

if u can get down to san diego, you'll be able to get some decent waves. Most of the time i use my 3/2, somedays just a rash guard. i would definitely visit La Jolla if you do get down here.

[Otter]

Yeah, post up when you arrive, or have a definite date, you may want to scope out http://surfingsandiego.com and get the skinny on the haps down south.