How is surfing in san francisco

High tides are best for surfing the waters off Stinson Beach, a crescent-shaped cove that's part of the larger Golden Gate National Recreation Area and a favorite spot among both locals and tourists. While conditions along this two-mile stretch of white sands often vary, the best surf tends to be closest to Stinson's lifeguard tower. It's a good beach for learning how to ride a wave, although be sure steer clear of the larger swells so advanced surfers can do their thing.

Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced. Located along the northern tip of Stinson Beach though best accessible by the town of Bolinas' Brighton Avenue, Bolinas tends to have better waves than Stinson due to its sheltered position at the mouth of Bolinas Lagoon. Longboarders especially love "The Patch," a break known for its consistent off-shore winds and mellow rolls. The beach's other break is known as "The Channel," which sits at the mouth of the inlet and ideal for beginners, with waves that are somewhat smaller.

Level: Beginner and Intermediate. Fort Point is maybe one of the most beautiful surf spots in the world. On it's longest days, the wave starts right under the bridge and wraps at a degree angle into the cove. Being inside the bay, it's somewhat protected from the raging open ocean. In the winter, though, the tides can be very strong making it hard to paddle out.

Occasional rip currents pull through the area. The break is lined with rocks so you should be cautious when wiping out--many locals wear helmets, just in case. It's fairly easy to enter, park near the bridge, walk down to the waterfront and climb over the rocks.

Be careful--these rocks are slippery. Level: Intermediate to advanced. Ocean Beach is a very long stretch of sandy beach running from the Cliff House restaurant in the north, south to the intersection of Sloat Boulevard and the Great Highway. The beach part of Ocean Beach is very popular with locals, but it's not a safe place to swim.

The usual conditions there make it accessible only to very experienced surfers. The paddle-out is very difficult and there is almost always a strong rip current. Level: Advanced. Linda Mar is a popular beach break in the cove at Pacifica State Beach. The surf is irregular, but when it is on the smaller side, it is a great place for beginner surfers. The waves get larger as you head north across the beach, so as you get better you can challenge yourself by going further north.

There are parking lots immediately adjacent to the beach with restrooms and showers, open from 6 am to 10 pm. Level: Beginning to Intermediate. Montara State Beach is located just around the point, driving south from Pacifica on Highway 1. Located at the southern end of the Point Reyes Peninsula, this clothing-optional beach is a hidden gem among the Bay Area surf spots — the beach is named after the former RCA communications facility on the bluff above the shore.

Here, beach breaks await. W aves cras h in both directions ; surfers enjoy what the pristine waters have to offer to the fullest. Also known as the Mini Mavericks, Montara State Beach is a hollow sandbar break for surfers who know how to ride waves. Located south of Pacifica along the famous Pacific Coast Highway , this surf spot near San Francisco is particularly popular among st experienced surfers.

Whenever the waves are too dangerous to surf, head over to the breathtaking cliffs and check out one of the most photogenic spots in the Golden State. Should your surfing adventures continue south, check out the best surf spots along the Central Coast , the ultimate swells throughout L. By submitting your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from California. Have a great story to tell? A unique experience to write about?

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Recomended businesses Show me California. Discover the best of California. Our recommended businesses are top-quality and are committed to their communities. Real Estate. Outdoor Recreation. Professional Services. Ocean Beach can get heavy, but it is definitely worth it and should be on any surfer's bucket list. And since you're in Northern California, you'll surely need a good and thick wetsuit to stay warm, comfortable, and confident.

The first thing any surfer should do is check the surf report and forecast for the upcoming hours, as conditions can quickly change from manageable waves to high surf warnings in less than an hour. If you're confident enough to give it a go, get to the shoreline and spend to minutes observing the ocean's behavior and patterns. The more data you collect, the better you'll know how to paddle out and where to position yourself for the set waves.

Respect Ocean Beach. The currents are powerful and might pull you out too far and drain all the energy you still had. People are constantly being rescued, so play it conservatively because this is an unforgiving wave. Some surfers need more than half an hour to get to the take-off spot.

Therefore, knowledge and a good fitness level are precious assets. As a result, the spot can produce rideable one-foot rollers in one day and extremely challenging foot monster waves 24 hours later.

In a way, it is similar to Puerto Escondido's Playa Zicatela and Peniche's Supertubos, with their highly volatile and temperamental waves. But OB picks up all swells and tends to hold almost any size by having waves breaking further out. Up north, near Point Lobos, you'll find Kelly's Cove, a spot with an SW orientation protected from NW winds that catches more south swells than all other nearby breaks.

Remember that paddling out through the thundering whitewater lines can be an exhausting - if not impossible - mission during big wave surfing days. Ocean Beach is more than just a single surf spot - it's a multi-peak, exposed beach break region with plenty of well-known take-off areas. Almost every street intersecting the Great Highway points to a surfable A-frame gem, and each wave has its local faces and stars.

Although it is not one of the most aggressive and unwelcome surf destinations in California, you've necessarily got to be respectful. To earn a chance to score a long, deep OB barrel, you've got to earn it, and that also means committing to each wave you pick, ride it flawlessly, and pay your dues, too. Many waves pop out of nowhere; others arrive from the horizon carrying so much energy that they will require you to take off fast, get barreled, and find an early exit.

Quite often, in beach breaks, where there's a perfect tube, there's also pounding closeouts, so read each wave carefully before paddling for it. Some of the world's most experienced big waves surfers live a few blocks from OB in San Francisco.