Am coming into the area for a few days on a family reunion. Would like to surf a local spot and ditch the fam for a day. Surf longboard on South Carolina coast, am bringing cold water gear....4/3 wetsuit. Have never surfed Cali.....any recommendations?
If you're need top stick around Monterey. Check out Asilomar, Tioga in Seaside, Carmel Beach. If you head up to Santa Cruz, 38th on the Eastside is a great longboard spot.
Asilomar Beach and Spanish Bay which is a walk south down the beach can be good when the swell is right but it often gets a lot of wind in the aftenoon making it pretty choppy and bumpy. If it's decent swell it's best to get it while it's good in the morning before the winds kick up. I live in Pacific Grove, about one and a half miles from Asilomar, but I often drive to Santa Cruz on the weekends.
If by chance you are staying at the Asilomar Conference Center, The beach is right across the road.
Tioga Ave. in the Sand City/Seaside Area (behind Costco) and Marina State Beach (a couple miles north at the Reservation Rd. exit) can be decent too but the same thing goes. Hit it early before the winds gets going.
Lovers Point in Pacific Grove is a nice left when there is a good SW swell
BTW If you don't feel like hauling a longboard from SC, I believe On The Beach Surf Shop in Monterey rents boards/wetsuits. You can call them and see what they have if you are interested.
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