It’s time to relax by the ocean and watch the surfers play on California Surfing Day, Sunday, Sept. 20. California is a surfer’s paradise, with dozens of iconic surf spots along California’s 840 miles of coastline that offer idyllic conditions for catching a wave or enjoying the views while watching those who ride.
As the official sport of the Golden State, there are numerous ways to celebrate California’s surf culture.
Where to Ride, Where to Watch
Take a beach-side picnic along and spend the day enjoying the artistry and athleticism of surfing masters in action at these classic Southern California surf locations.
Surfrider Beach
23050 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu 90265
Surfrider Beach’s significance includes the right cobblestone point break at Malibu Lagoon State Beach that was honored as the first World Surfing Reserve by the Save the Waves Coalition. Experienced surfers claim the waves are virtually perfect.
The likes of Miki (Da Cat) Dora surfed here and Surfrider played a pivotal role as surfing moved into the cultural mainstream in the 1960s.
Rincon Point
Rincon Point Road, Carpinteria 93013
Dubbed the “Queen of the Coast” and described by surf historian Matt Warshaw as “America’s gold-standard point break,” Rincon straddles the border of Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. The waves are so good during winter swells if you’re driving on U.S. 101 and see a crowded line-up, pull off to watch the action.
Windansea Beach
Neptune Place/Wellbourne Street, La Jolla 92037
This classic La Jolla reef break solidified its place in wave history in 1937, when surfing pioneer Woody Brown first rode here. Since then, the famed wave has become one of the most well-known in San Diego County and appeared in Andy Warhol’s 1967 film, “San Diego Surf.”
Windansea’s wave can be sizable (ranging from 2-10 feet) and conditions tend to be unpredictable. Because of its difficulty, along with its reputation for being a competitive atmosphere, its a great place to watch skilled surfers in action.
Swami’s State Marine Conservation Area
Best viewed from the Meditation Gardens and Hermitage: 215 W. K St., Encinitas 92024
Part of Swami’s State Marine Conservation Area, this classic right point break in Encinitas (honored as one of the world’s top 20 surf towns by National Geographic) gets its name from the golden, lotus-shaped towers of the Self-Realization Fellowship high on the bluffs above. The fellowship grounds provide a nice perspective on the waves curling in the ocean below, plus the gardens are beautiful.
Trestles
San Onofre State Beach, 5200 S. Pacific Coast Highway, San Clemente, 92672
A series of point breaks named for the railroad bridge over San Mateo Creek. To reach the beach you have to hike from the San Onofre State Beach parking lot. The waves are considered by expert surfers to be among the most gorgeous anywhere, world-class faces that some have claimed are the mainland’s best.
The Wedge
West Jetty View Park, 2300 Channel Rd., Newport Beach 92661
The Wedge, located at the extreme eastern end of the Balboa Peninsula, should have been rightly named “The Beast.” Newport Beach’s world-famous body surfing and body boarding wave forms during south swells when waves refract off the rock jetty, then slam into a second incoming wave. These 30-foot-high mutant waves are best observed from the safety of shore.
Huntington Beach Pier,
325 Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach 92648
With a pedigree that dates back a century to demonstrations by such Hawaiian surfing legends as George Freeth and Duke Kahanomoku, the pier at Huntington State Beach is perhaps Southern California’s holiest surf shrine. The Lexus US Open of Surfing Presented by Pacifico will be held Saturday, July 25 – Sunday, Aug. 2. The event is free to the public with a large event footprint south of the Huntington Beach Pier. For more information visit www.surfcityusa.com.
Across Pacific Coast Highway, you’ll find a pair of surfing superstores: Jack’s Surfboards, around since 1957 and Huntington Surf & Sport.
Locations of Famous Surfing Films
Surf culture exploded in the 1960s with a number of box office hits that showcased emerging youth culture and popularized surf music and fashion.
‘Gidget’ 1959
The 1959 original movie “Gidget” revolutionized American pop culture by introducing surfing and Southern California beach life to the rest of the county. It spawned its own genre of “Beach Party” films in the 1960s.
The beach where Gidget learns how to surf throughout the film is Leo Carrillo State Beach, 35000 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu 90265.
Other scenes were filmed at Paradise Cove, 28128 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu 90265. Paradise Cove is associated with a lesser-known local surf spot called The Hut. It is located about 150 meters north of the Paradise Cove Beach Cafe pier and features right-breaking waves over a mixed sandy and rocky reef.
‘Beach Party’ Films
“Beach Party” 1963, “Bikini Beach” 1964, “Muscle Beach Party” 1965, “Beach Blanket Bingo” 1965, “Pajama Party” 1964, “How to Stuff a Wild Bikini” 1965, “The Ghost in the Invisible Bikini” 1966
American International Pictures produced a famous series of seven original beach party films starring Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello during the 1960s. All of the films were mostly filmed in Paradise Cove or other beaches in the Malibu area.
‘The Endless Summer’ 1966
This 1966 documentary transformed surfing from a niche regional hobby into a global cultural phenomenon and a multi-million-dollar industry. The film featured many international locations, but also showcased Salt Creek Beach, 33333 S. Pacific Coast Highway, Dana Point 92629.
‘Point Break’ 1991
This visionary cult classic, directed by future Best Director Oscar winner Kathryn Bigelow, included beach scenes shot at Leo Carrillo State Beach in Malibu.
