West Coast Surf Trip - Guide
Hey friends! After spanning the entire West Coast and checking nearly every surf spot (from La Push, Washington to San Diego, CA) over the span of a month, I put together a list of my favorite spots along the way. These spots are all relatively well known, so I’m not letting you in on any secrets! If your trip pans out to be anything like mine... you’ll be planning your next strike mission as soon as your back.
What to expect
From lush rainforests, to raw coastline, towering redwoods and sun kissed beaches; this surf trip is one for a lifetime. Best bet on conditions is between September to November in the Fall. A mixture of small summer groundswell and mid-winter chaos provides an optimal window to score relatively perfect clean waves that rival anywhere in the world. Make sure you’ve got a range of boards; from waist high to well overhead surf. On my trip, water temperature got down to about 48°F, but with my 5/4 with a hood and booties I stayed plenty warm! A few days I really could have used some gloves, so next time I’ll have those. Invest in a good wetsuit to stay warm to enjoy these open beaches and epic conditions!
Washington
From Olympic National Park in the north to Long Beach in the South, the Washington coastline offers a unique surfing experience. Signature for frigid water, steep waves, speedy barrels and minimal surfers. Only a handful of established breaks, but they all can fire. Outside of surfing the Washington coastline is beautiful, and worthy of a trip in itself.
In the Strait
I had no idea you could surf in the strait - between Washington and Canada (not at least until I was in Oregon). Needs large W swell and is best when its firing heavy on the coast! Don’t make the same mistake as me, and miss this unique surf experience! Do your homework.
La Push
Beach break with several fat distinct peaks that reform on the inside. Sand and gravel bottom. Works with a range of swell from S to NW. Mid tide is best. Plenty cold. Gigantic driftwood and beautiful views of James Island.
Westport
One of the only reliable public surf spots on the Washington coastline. The harbor jetty provides ample sandbars creating powerful, beautiful shaped surf. N and E winds preferred. Can get crowded. Strong current.
Long Beach
Miles and miles of average open beach break. Very exposed to NW and SW winds. No matter what, a great place to drive down the sand to find your own peak and peaceful place to yourself!
OREGON
Oregon is a raw, untouched coastline with world class surf and cold temperatures to keep only the committed in the water. Small coastal towns, lush trees and simple living. Lots of waves, but many are exposed to wind. Best bet lies in protected coves that block wind and welcome swell. With the right weather window, you can avoid rain and score by yourself or with only a few others out.
Short Sands
Walk a half mile through an old growth forest guided by twin creeks to a beautiful, white sand cove. A true surf adventure experience. Protected from both S and N winds. Sandy bottom. Mushy, forgivable and fun wave. Bring some snacks and beer. You’ll want to hang out.
Pacific City
Iconic spot with huge rock formation just outside the cape. Reef peak on the south side and a clean beach break on the inside of the cape that is sheltered from N and NW winds. Some crowds on the weekend, but relatively empty mid week.
Otter Rock
Popular longboard spot with several mushy, soft rolling beach breaks. Best on small W, or small S swell. Some current. Fun peaks near the cape, serving up lefts and rights. Be sure to check out devils post pile, just up the street as well.
Agate Beach
Exposed beach break with whimsical sandbars with mountain views. Sheltered from N winds, and best on W swell. Works on all tides. Lefts and rights. If you dive down near the cove you may find some Agates!
Port Orford
A beautiful south facing beach that is best to S winter swells. Big NW Swell is mainly blocked, but if the variables are just right, it can get good. Worthy to check if conditions seem right and everything else is blown out/too big.
Gold Beach
Drive down and park on an unpaved trail near the short south Jetty to a beach break with shelter from N wind and proper sandbars, lefts and rights. Watch out for surfing seals in the lineup.
California
California is an incredibly diverse coastline. From the towering Redwoods and rocky regions in the north to the Palm trees and deserts in the south, you’ll cover a full range of surfing experience. Powerful beach breaks, perfect point breaks, and ripping reef breaks. Guaranteed to induce stoke. And the further south you go, the warmer the water gets, which after surfing in the bitter cold in Washington and Oregon is exactly what you will be looking for.
Crescent City
The last California town before entering the state of Oregon and a classic longboard spot. Sheltered beach break next to jetty and blows offshore. Has good surf and cold water all year. Sand bottom.
Moonstone Beach
Popular spot south of Camel Rock in Humboldt County. Big rocks and beautiful coastline. Flat sand bottom. Works with all swells and best at high tide. Sometimes mushy, but can get hollow.
Point Arena
Arguably the best spot north of San Francisco. Small mellow town off Hwy 1 that has two world class breaks near the fishing pier. The point (to the right) is a dream peak. Steep takeoff with a thick wall/ shoulder. The channel (to the left) is left hander….similar, but less tubular. Protected from N wind.
Salmon Creek
Raw exposed coastline with a wide, sandy beach break. Near Bodega Bay. Takes any swell and is consistent. Getting outside can be difficult. Only one guy out when I was there, but can get crowded - as one of the most popular spots in the region.
Fort Point
This spot has remains unsurfed for me, but not from a lack of trying. This winter spot requires oversized surf on the coast to wrap and make its way under the Golden Gate. Very fickle. Only safe on a low incoming tide. But it is protected from NW winds and rarely blown out.
Ocean Beach
Three miles of some of the heaviest beach break on the planet, on the west side of San Francisco. Steep and strong. Ranges from 2-12 feet. Dropping tide increases hollowness. Shifting peaks remain make-able.
Steamer Lane
The epicenter of Santa Cruz Surfing and world renown, named after reef breaks located off East Cliff Drive. All types of waves; peaks, lines and shoulders. Mainly rights. Breaks on any swell - year round. Best on N and NW. Steep cliffs and rocky shoreline awaits lost boards.
Pleasure Point
One of my favorite places. A series of reef breaks surrounded by thick kelp from the Point to the Hook. Long right lines with steep takeoffs and roomy walls for carving. Flat and racey sections. Incoming off a low tide works best. Rarely blown out. Sea otters are locals too.
Asilomar
North facing beach near Monterrey with consistent surf. Near the world famous, Pebble Beach. Great place to find waves if Santa Cruz is flat. Medium tide produces best waves. Exposed to N wind.
Sand Dollar Beach
Scenic white sand Crescent Beach in Big Sur, with lefts that go into a channel to take you back out. Good protection from wind. Best on high tide. Very consistent and worthy. Bring food. You’ll want to hang.
Oceano Dunes
Drive down the sand and park in front of your own peak. An experience in itself in Pismo Beach. As for surfing, average sandbar peaks. Breaks on any swell. Medium tide is best. Also worth it to check the pier.
C Street
A California classic spot in the iconic city of Ventura. Smooth well shaped waves off the inside point. Mainly rights, some lefts. Breaks both in summer and winter. Easy peaks.
Malibu First Point
One of the most well known breaks worldwide. Mainly a summer spot, but always worthy of a stop. Pure rights off a rocky point. Shape is outstanding. Normally 2-4 feet. Hollow at low tide and slower at high tide. Rarely blows out.
Huntington Beach Pier
The “surf city”. Consistent sandbar peaks on both sides of pier. Winter rights on North. Summer lefts on South. Best at medium tide and takes any swell 2-8 feet. Shape depends on sandbar condition.
San Onofre State Beach
Drive down a dirt road to the last piece of untouched coastline in Southern California. Park on the sand and experience a piece of surfing history. Shifty peaks and mushy shoulders that break year round. Plan a full day here. It’s worth it.
Oceanside Pier
Endless peaks and lines on either side of the pier. Grabs all swell, but is exposed to wind. Shape depends on contour of the sandbars, but usually is fast and racey. Tends to be tubular on low tide and mushy on a high tide. Always something breaking. Lots of peaks.
Cardiff
An epic little surf town. From the hollow beach peaks at Pipes, to mushy rights at Cardiff Beach and the steep centered peak at Seaside reef, you’re sure to score. Breaks on any swell but favors West.
Black’s Beach
A true adventure down steep cliffs to a famous half mile of high quality beach break known for consistency and power. Always a few feet bigger than everywhere else. Steep takeoffs with hollow, spitting lefts and rights. Holds big swell, sneaker sets, and long hold downs.
This list just scratches the surface of surfing opportunity on this coastline. I know for certain I will go back, to look deeper and find more surf in each region. If you know spots that you think that I’d be stoked on and want to share, I am all ears. If you’ve ever been to any of these spots or are just planning a trip, I’d love to know your thoughts!
Enjoy and safe travels!
- Ryan
The end of the road - San Diego, CA