Besides San Diego being known as a great vacation spot, we’re also known for some great surf spots! And, like vacation rentals, waves come in many sizes, and levels. Knowing which surf spots are best for you may help you to decide in which San Diego beach community to book your vacation rental.
We’ve asked a local surfer to share his TOP 5 San Diego Surf Spots with us, and here they are – well, sort of. Don’t tell anyone, but – he confessed that there are several more spots locals frequent, but they’re secret. I twisted his arm. I even threatened to ding his surfboard if he didn’t tell me but my faux-mean tactics failed. So, befriend some local surfers while on vacation. Maybe they’ll divulge. And, rest assured that while not in the secret category, these Top 5 Surf Spots rock!
Ocean Beach – Ocean Beach is an earthy, bohemian community where natural, organic food, local musicians, and artists abound. It also boasts some great surfing. Locals like the easy beach access right off the strip. The waves are just right – not too big, or small. The beach is welcoming and there’s plenty of room to layout. The best waves are close to the pier. You can shoot the pier if you have the skills. That simply means – surfing a wave through the pier’s columns. This is not for beginners. Whether you shoot the pier, or not, your friends can stand above you on the pier and watch you surf – or toss water balloons at you – although we can’t recommend this in our article!
Pacific Beach – Pacific Beach is considered by many to be one of the Top 3 Spring Break destinations in the United States. The boardwalk, which stretches for miles around the beach and bay, is a HOT SPOT during spring and summer. You’ll find both young, and young at heart: running, bike riding, rollerblading, and generally doing all sorts of fun things on, and around it. The beach itself is huge. It’s as easy to find a group of people to lie beside and make some new friends as it is to find a spot to be alone. Waves are beginner size and great for learning. You’ll find several surf schools set up on the sand, or nearby. Once you’ve worked up an appetite you’ll have a slew of local eateries from which to choose like: WorldFamous, Kono’s Café, Rum Jungle Café, Café 976, Woody’s Café on the boardwalk, and so much more!
Windansea – Windansea is not for the faint-hearted. It’s for seasoned, professional surfers. The beach is a bit more secluded than Pacific Beach, or Ocean Beach. It’s still social, but not as social as beach areas by the boardwalk. Wave-wise – they’re BIG and – it’s a shore break. There’s a channel so you don’t have to paddle through sets and there’s less wind than at other popular surf spots so wind isn’t a factor here. We suggest that you enter the water with your head and heart in a good space. It’s intense out there, wave-wise, and competitively. Respect locals and they’ll respect you. Entering the water with a sense of gratitude and comradery will go a long way. It’s likely that tourists who surf Windansea with a bad attitude, and cut locals off, will have a less-than-pleasant experience.
ScrippsPier– Scripps is considered a family beach. It’s a fairly exposed beach break with pretty consistent surf. Surfing here is best in winter. When there’s a swell the waves are very clean. Groundswells are frequent and the best is from the west northwest. Be aware of rips here – as with all surf spots. Wave-wise it’s a lot like Pacific Beach, just in La Jolla.
Blacks – Black’s is even more secluded. It’s beneath the bluffs of Torrey Pines on the Pacific Ocean. It’s officially part of Torrey Pines State Beach. Black’s is most known as a nude beach but the practice is no longer permitted in the southern portion – known as one of the most powerful surf breaks in Southern California. Due to large surf, fast breaking waves and aggressive crowds, Black’s isn’t the friendliest surfing location, and recommended for advanced surfers only. Hungry? Better have packed a lunch unless you know of some helicopter delivery service of which we are unaware.
Thanks for stopping by our blog. If you’re planning a vacation to San Diego please keep us in mind. We’d love the opportunity to connect you with the finest San Diego vacation rentals in the best beach locations. You can rest assured that we’ll exceed your expectations.
