San Diego lives and breathes surfing.
It’s a huge part of life here, and with gorgeous weather all year long, there’s plenty of time to surf to your heart’s content. 70 miles of open coastline offers a multitude of beaches for surfers of all levels. Experienced surfers enjoy some of the best breaks in the country, while gentler spots make for a great place to get your feet wet if you are just starting out.
Here is our list of the 10 best surf spots in the area to catch your next wave no matter your skill level:
Beginners
1. Oceanside
Oceanside provides miles of gentle beach break and is a fantastic spot for newbies to get their feet wet. It’s best known, however, for the jetties on either side of the Oceanside Habor entrance. Thanks to the shifting sandbars, this area gives novices a great opportunity to practice on waves varying in size and intensity.
Skill level: beginner/intermediate
Location: Oceanside Harbor, Oceanside 92054
2. Old Man’s
Old Man’s is another famous spot, just south of Lower Trestles. Also known as San Onofre State Surfing Beach, this beach has fun gentle waves that are good for beginners and veterans alike.
Skill level: beginner/intermediate
Location: off of Old Pacific Highway, San Clemente 92672
3. Dog Beach
At the end of Oceanside is the famous Dog Beach. This is the perfect spot to catch a wave and hang out with your pup! Dog Beach is at the sheltered end of the Ocean Beach, this protection keeps the swells low. It’s a fantastic spot to learn the basics in a safe and friendly environment.
Skill level: beginner
Location: Dog Beach, San Diego, CA 92109
4. Pacific Beach
Pacific Beach, also known as PB, is a surfing spot for all experience levels. Tourmaline Surf Park has waves that are soft and slow, making it great for those looking to learn. The northern end of this beach also provides a good spot for longboarders with more experience. PB is a definite win for anyone looking for an easygoing vibe.
Skill level: beginner/intermediate
Location: near 601 Tourmaline St, San Diego 92109
5. Del Mar
With exposure to swells in all directions, Del Mar is known for its reliable waves. It encompasses the area from the river-mouth all the way to Torrey Pines State Beach, giving everyone space to catch a wave. It’s a good spot for beginners to intermediate-level surfers.
Skill level: beginner/intermediate
Location: Del Mar 92014
6. La Jolla Shores
Another great beach on our list for the more inexperienced surfers is La Jolla Shores. Not to mention, there are several surf schools in the area to get more guidance on technique and the laws of the land. It’s definitely a popular spot, so expect crowds.
Skill level: beginner/intermediate
Location: La Jolla Shores, San Diego 92037
Intermediate
7. Mission Beach
Mission Beach, or simply “Mission”, is the perfect example Californian surf town. This go-with-the-flow town is what surf culture is all about. Mission attracts a lively mix of tourists and locals. Even though Mission might not be known for perfect waves it is a fantastic spot for beginners to learn the ropes and have a fantastic beach day!
Skill level: intermediate
Location: from the I-5 freeway take Garnet Avenue west to Mission Blvd. south. 2500 N Jetty Road
San Diego, CA 92109
8. Tourmaline Beach
Tourmaline Beach and Tourmaline Surfing Park respectively are a surfer’s dream spot! The beach sits on the border of the Pacific Beach and La Jolla districts of San Diego. The surfing park is located where Tourmaline Street meets the ocean. It’s an excellent spot for longboarding! There’s no swimming allowed in most sections of Tourmaline however if you arent up for surfing this is an excellent place to sunbathe and watch some surfers.
Skill level: intermediate
Location: La Jolla Blvd and Tourmaline St, La Jolla, CA 92109
9. North Pacific Beach
Pacific Beach, also known as “PB”, is the ultimate party surf spot. PB has quite a range of waves and though some are excellent the majority are pretty so-so. You might be having too much of a good time to make it to the waves but when you do we guarantee you’ll have a great time.
Skill level: intermediate
Location:4500 Mission Blvd, San Diego, CA
10. Scripps Pier
Scripps Pier is a great spot for intermediate surfers to sharpen their skills. The waves you’ll find here range between 3-5 feet. The beach is right by the Institute of Oceanography, so you can spend a whole day exploring aquatic wonders.
Skill level: intermediate
Location: 8650 Kennel Way, La Jolla, CA 92037
Advanced
11. Lower Trestles
Also called Lowers, this spot is known for its high-profile waves – and surfers. Some of the most talented surfers frequent this spot, making it very competitive. Even World Champion Kelly Slater calls it her favorite place to surf. Definitely not a place for beginners to surf, however, it’s an incredible place to watch!
Skill level: advanced
Location: on the south side of the San Mateo Creek river mouth in San Onofre, San Clemente 92672
12. Black’s Beach
Black’s Beach is a whole experience. It takes a tricky hike down a dirt path to get there. It’s actually most famous for being a nude beach, but the surfing is amazing. Be wary, though, as these waves are unpredictable and have been known to break at up to 25 feet. Needless to say, this spot is best for strong swimmers and advanced surfers.
Skill level: advanced
Location: beneath the bluffs of Torrey Pines, La Jolla 92037
13. Swami’s
Located below the bluffs of Encinitas’ Self-Realization Center is another local favorite. Head here if you’re a skilled surfer. It’s a great spot with excellent waves and is protected from winds by cliffs.
Skill level: advanced
Location: near the Self-Realization Center on the southernmost end of Encinitas 92024
14. D Street
Also known as Boneyards, D Street is frequented by some of the best local talents in Encinitas. It has fast and peaky waves, making it a popular spot for short-boarders. This spot is definitely more suited to experienced surfers. As such, if you’re less experienced, this is the place to check out some of the sport’s next pros.
Skill level: advanced
Location: below the bluffs from Moonlight Beach south to Swami’s point, Encinitas 92024
15. Windansea
This spot is reserved for those experienced surfers. Windansea is a tight-knit community where localism reigns, so do be sure to respect the local hierarchy out on the water. Waves break pretty far from the beach and have been known to catch people off guard by the power they pack, so it’s best to avoid if you are new to the game.
If you are more on the inexperienced side, this is still a great place to check out the local talent.
Skill level: advanced
Location: off of Neptune Place, La Jolla 92037
[Featured image: Zachary Shea via Unsplash]