A Guide to the Best California Surfing Beaches

California is blessed with beautiful sandy beaches that have miles of the bluest waters to enjoy a surfing spree year round. Here are the top California surfing beaches where you can surf or watch surfers ride the waves. From Steamer Lane to Capistrano to Huntington, you are sure to find the perfect destination for your perfect surfing experience.

Lighthouse Field State Beach 1211 Ocean St, Santa Cruz 831-425-1234 Santa Cruz Surfing Museum & Steamer Lane Surfing
701 West Cliff Drive Santa Cruz, California 831-420-6289
Santa Cruz is very famous with its nickname of "Surf City" which it got for being a fun beach town in Monterey Bay. It is a small town with big surfs, with a surfing museum dedicated to surfing, the first of its kind in the world. The museum, Mark Abbott Memorial Lighthouse, is situated at the renowned Steamer Lane. Steamer Lane is a surfing destination for experienced surf lovers who come here on vacations to ride big waves. Because the waves here are usually large, new and upcoming surfers are not encouraged to surf here. But don't despair if you are a novice surfer. There are plenty of fun things to do at this top surfing destination. There are plenty of spaces and opportunity to sunbathe, watch sea life such as sea lions, or take a nice long walk though the beautiful natural surroundings. The surf museum has interesting exhibitions of surf boards and memorabilia such as wetsuits, photographs, gift shop with books, t-shirts, posters, and of course surf boards of various designs and shapes. See them online at http://www.beachcalifornia.com/scruz.html

Manhattan Beach: Manhattan is one of three beach communities in Los Angeles consisting of Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach, and Hermosa Beach. It is just three miles from the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and is a popular surfing site for pop culture crowds. The beach is so well rounded it has a variety of other activities including a 9 hole public golf course, beach volleyball, concerts in the park during the summer. Manhattan Beach is home to International Surfing Festivals and some other athletic events taking place at the beach. Their phone number is 310-379-8117 or online address at http://www.beachcalifornia.com/manhatt.html

Capistrano Beach: Capistrano Beach is great beach with hometown flare. It is one of those great beaches where everyone seems to know each other, and there are those close knit small towns feel. This beach is one of the places to catch relatively mild and gentle surf. The beach is located at 34551 Puerto Place, Dana Point, California (949) 661-7013. For more information on surfing and other beach games or activities, call or visit online at http://www.beachcalifornia.com/capistra.html

Dockweiler Beach: Dockweiler State Beach is the biggest beach in Los Angeles, with plenty of coast to surf. It is a popular location for locals and visitors alike, as it is located just minutes from the (LAX) Los Angeles International Airport and has huge parking lot. It has beautiful sandy atmosphere made for beach volleyball, pavement for jogging, and of course swimming. Visit the online address for more information on surfing and other fun activities at Dockweiler Beach. The address is http://www.beachcalifornia.com/dockw.html

Huntington Beach: In the southern part of California is Huntington whose beach gets 2-3 feet waves or larger. This is home to many surfing events in the Orange County area. It has become a popular surfing destination, with three new hotels built in the last few years, right at the beach. Two small museums, shopping galleries, and eating areas are sure to make this location a hot surfing spot in So-Cal. The waves here are pretty big, but not to be compared to Steamer Lane.

Redondo Breakwater: Surfing is a great pastime at Redondo Beach, where the Breakwater waves move in from the left side at over 6 feet and can hold up to 20 feet. It has sandy bottom with difficult surfing level. You are warned that a novice surfer will not make; you must be advanced in your arts to ride the breakwater waves here. It is a great location for advanced surfers for its big waves. International Surf Festivals are held here

Malibu Point:Malibu is among the Southern California Surf Spots. It isone of the world's most famous long, slow point breaks, with strong reef waves often coming from the right side of surfing. Great for intermediate to skilled surfer.

Trestles: located in a hidden area of San Clemente, Trestles is known for its reef breaks coming from the right. The bottom is filled with rocky reef so you are warned to be at least intermediate surfer to attend. It can have a busy crowd who enjoy the renowned California break produced here. It is known in Orange County for its consistent and great surf. The fact that it is in a hidden location makes it extra special for locals to enjoy it.

Santa Monica Chevron Reef : Chevron Reef is Los Angeles County's first artificial reef breaks created by oil firm Chevron and the Surfrider Foundation in a beach erosion settlement. It is situated just off the coast of Marina Del Rey, close to LAX. Great wave breaks at four feet and can hold to 15 feet or more in all directions.

Seal Beach Pier: Seal Beach is among the top Long Beach Southern California Surf spots. It has pier breaks surrounded by sandbar reef. Its rivermouth wave comes from the right and the left to break in any type of conditions, especially when in a south swell. It is great for intermediate surfer.

Huntington Beach Pier: Huntington Beach is covered by miles of breaks, with the pier being the focal point. The pier is better in winter when the waves are greater. They can peak quickly and vanish before you know it. It is known as Surf City USA, as they believe that California surfing culture originates here.

Sources:
http://www.beachcalifornia.com/surfing-beaches-california.html
http://www.trails.com
http://www.surfline.com/surf-report
http://www.beachcalifornia.com/surfing-beaches-california.html