One day we were out there in California with my family on holiday and my wife popped a random question on why I chose the South of California as our vacation destination. I remember I asked her to look into the waters and smiled. She gazed into the distance but couldn’t figure it out. She was still not sure what I was talking about until an 8 foot wave came breaking down towards our direction and we both ran. Just as we were running away from the beach, I laughed hard and told her that was the reason I chose Southern California as our destination.
I have been into surfing ever since I was a kid. My father was a professional surfer and it was only a matter of years before I started paddling the waves myself. He unfortunately broke his collar bone while competing one day and this affected slightly my love for the game. I never took it up professionally but I still enjoyed surfing the 2 foot peelers. I was a fan of surfing and I closely followed tournaments. Over the years, I have visited a lot of holiday destinations renowned for surfing but never before had I been to the Southern area of California. I have been to Hawaii before and when a friend told me that Southern California was the capital of US surfing, I almost laughed it off because I felt like Hawaii was the ultimate destination. Well, having visited the Southern California area, I still strongly stand to my former opinion though Southern California was brilliant as well.
When choosing a holiday destination for surfing and relaxing with my family, there are some things that I have to look at. First of course are the waves. I need a spot with good waves that I can comfortably ride. I am amazed by big waves as well although I don’t have the guts to ride them after what happened to my old man years ago. Next, I look at the facilities and hotels in the said destination. I essentially want an area with affordable hotels and other facilities for post-surf adventures. As I came to find out, there is no area that has as many hotels and facilities close to the ocean like Southern California.
Today, I want to mention some of the main areas of California that I really found to be perfect for surfing. I personally enjoyed surfing in this spots and considering that I have visited some of these places more than once, I believe that my reviews of these spots will be accurate. Here are the top 5 places to surf in California;
5. Steamer Lane
Best known for its icy waters and magnificent rides, Steamer is a popular surf spot. It is located in Santa Cruz, California. The water is a test of one’s resilience especially on a cold day which makes it an adrenaline heaven for dare-devil surfers. There are great facilities and hotels to stay over in after a good day out in the waters. This is one of the areas that I discovered have some of the most affordable services.
4. Mavericks
Mavericks lies 3 miles off the shore north of Half Moon Bay town, Northern California .It is famously known for its crystal clear waters and gigantic waves which are enthralling for surfers. The sheer size of the waves will give thrill seekers a ride of their lives. Breaks on the waves can be observed to form occasionally due to the shapes of the underlying rocks. The most acclaimed break is the right point where some of the largest waves in California can be seen.
3. Cardiff Reef
Cardiff beach or Cardiff-by-the-sea is located in Ecnintias city, north of San Diego within Northern California. The beach has proven to be the best destination for many surfers since the 1950s. The shape of the rocks being flat causes the formation of incredibly lustful waves on the surface which draws surfers from all over to test their limits. The majestic peaks of the Cardiff guarantees you a smooth and enjoyable ride.
2. Rincon
Rightfully named “Queen of the Coast”, Rincon is a world renowned surf spot. It situated in the Ventura-Santa Barbara county line, Southern California. Its humongous well-formed waves gives you a long unforgettable ride. People usually prefer surfing here during winter when the tide is low and waves move from the west. Rincon has three breaks: the cove, indicators and Rivermout.
1. Trestles
Trestles is the pride of Southern California. It is located in the city of Clemente near San Mateo Creek. It constitutes of a number of surfing spots which are classified into Lower Trestles, Middle Trestles and Upper Trestles. Trestles is the venue for major surfing events. Such events includes the WSL World Tour competition held annually at Lower Trestles.