Top 10 California Surf Spots from South to North

California is known for sun, surf, and beaches. A trip along the beautiful Pacific coast would not be complete without a few stops at the state's top surfing beaches. The quest for the perfect wave will keep you coming back for more. From south to north, here are California's top surfing hot spots:

Black's Beach, La Jolla: This formerly clothing optional beach is found at the base of tall bluff. Park on La Jolla Farms Rd. unless you have a key to the locked private road that accesses the shore. This beach picks up swell from pretty much any direction, making this a great surf spot most days. Even on days when waves are just overhead Blacks can deliver waves that are as fast and hollow as any reef break in the Pacific even though it's a sandy bottom beach break.

Cottons, San Clemente: Actually only a short walk from Trestles but it is its own distinct break. This point break hollows out with even a semi-decent swell. Cottons is usually not quite as crowded as Trestles. The sand is nice and it's not a big tourist destination so non-surfers can bring their chair and a nice book and be relatively undisturbed.

Trestles, San Clemente: This is the quintessential Southern California break. Even though it's in the heart of Orange County beach country it's in a relatively unpopulated stretch of the coast. It has a variety of waves including A-frames, lefts, and rights, depending on the swell direction. It's a popular spot with lots of very good surfers in the water at any given time.

Huntington Beach Pier, Huntington Beach: This famous beach break keeps most surfers busy with both rights and lefts. Most of the action is on the south side of the pier, but you can pick up some fun waves north of the pier as well. The beach itself is a classic Los Angeles scene so if it's peace and serenity you are looking for look elsewhere, but if it's shops and lots of suntan lotion that you seek, look no further.

Malibu Beach, Malibu: An excellent learner wave and a long boarder's dream. Malibu offers consistent 400-yard peelers but is never threatening. It's usually an easy paddle out and always a fun and mellow ride in. The beach scene is much more relaxed next to the Pacific Coast Highway. This beach is good for an all-day hang out.

California Street, Ventura: Access this beach off California St. in Ventura at San Buenaventura State Beach Park. The key to this beach is the orientation of the coast. The coastline to the north from Hollister Ranch through the very south end of Santa Barbara is peculiar because it runs east to west. California St. is the southern-most point of this south-facing coastline so it catches the best of the west and south-west swells. This long right point break offers great rides on even moderate swells. The beach is a traditional sand beach and maintained as a State Park.

Rincon, Santa Barbara: This world famous right point break is mid-way between Ventura and Santa Barbara. When it's pumping look for fast and furious taek-offs at the point or you can pick up some of the re-forms deeper in the cove. The beach is mostly rocky and not a place to spread out a blanket. However, the palm tree nursery and the avocado farm that frame this point break offer a very pleasant backdrop.

Razorblades, Hollister Ranch (or any other spot on The Ranch): Jutting out into the Pacific with a west-south-west facing shoreline, Hollister Ranch is a legendary spot for wicked surf. The Ranch is a private community and access is most easily found by launching a boat from Ventura and anchoring outside the lineup. Razorblades is a fast, peaking wave that catches an unadulterated swell straight off the Pacific.

Mavericks, Half Moon Bay: Not many waves in the world are as infamous as Mavericks. When it hits it's a heavy, thundering wave that attracts the kamikazes of the surfing world. Not for the faint of heart but awesome to watch from the shore.

Steamer Lane, Santa Cruz: Another right point break in colder water. Rarely do the big pushers of Steamers let you down. Localism is usually a prevalent feature so it's not a place for the newbie. However, if you can ride then it's a wave that you have to get to at least once in your life: superfun! There isn't much beach to hang out on and it's a steep approach to get down the bluff, but there are great viewing spots around the lighthouse on the cliffs above.