San Diego presents an amazing coastline for expectant surfers. With both reef breaks and beach breaks to choose from, stunning views, and open areas and coves, San Diego is the sandbox for every surfer’s inner child, offering up a wide variety of waves for any style. Let’s take a quick peek at the best surf spots in SD, and what makes each of them unique.
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Pacific Beach and Tourmaline Surf Park
Pacific beach presents a long expanse of shore break that offers up a variety of waves. Whether surfing near the pier at the end of Diamond Street, or posting up in front of the pump house near Tourmaline, there is a wave for every surfer.
As a notable spot, the Tourmaline surf park is a leisurely, pleasant place to surf with long, slow rides and few hazards. Also coined “Old Man’s”, this surf area caters to those whose pop-ups are a bit more leisurely in later age. This break tends to be more inviting than others, and competition is low. Full of an older crowd and a lot of beginner paddlers, the only real risk is running into “Grimace,” the break’s large rock that juts up out of the ocean during lower tide. The parking lot is full of friendly locals who are more than happy to share stories and hellos.
Sunset Cliffs
Sunset Cliffs is a longboarder’s dream. With larger, more robust waves than Tourmaline, this area can get enormous and require an expert level of experience. It’s a bit more difficult to get to, with a steep staircase and some finagling to get into the water down the rocks followed by a long paddle out, but it is worth the wait. The waves are large and rolling, and the ride is long.
OB Pier
The OB Pier is home to newbies and experts alike. Known for its pier-tapping breaks on large days, surfers can surf each side of the pier, even “threading the needle” or “shooting the pier” through the vertical supports if one is brave enough. This beach break is a bit heavier than its northern or southern counterparts, but on smaller days still offers many options for the new surfer.
Black’s
Black’s Beach offers some pickings that are made for retelling. Consistently good conditions and a tough trek down the bluffs make Black’s free from crowds and full of fantastic rides. The break has large waves, and they are well organized and predictable. There is quite a bit of paddling necessary, and there are only two ways in: a steep and sordid “goat trail” down the bluffs, or a long hike in from the north.
La Jolla Shores
If you’re looking for a location in which to teach or learn, La Jolla Shores is the place. Gentle beginner waves come in from the south and get larger as you travel north. Protection from the wind allows these waves to stay clean and rideable. Lifeguards and parking also make this preferable for the beginner.
WindandSea
WindandSea sits between Bird Rock and La Jolla, and sports big barreling waves that cater to the pros. With a formidable crash zone and a lot of rocks, this is a reef break best left to the experts who know it well. The steep ocean floor slopes create powerful waves, which can rise to eight to ten feet in height in winter months. Many surfers also come to ride the waves where many famous surfers are known to have first gotten their feet wet.