See ya guys....I'm headed to Newport Beach next week. Took a job in the OC so I'm headed west my friends. Personally I've had some great times living back east over the past 3 years. I think being a surfer on the east coast makes you that much more appreciative of all things related to the ocean. I certainly discovered a newfound respect for winter surfing that's for sure. I was able to improve, learn, and become informed about many aspects related to surfing by living here. I am definitely a better surfer and a better person for re-experiencing everything the jersey shore has to offer. The past 3 years I've seen 2 hurricanes, several noreasters, a quiksilver pro event, and countless perfect days. I have also experienced the dreaded flat spell. I hate those. But we all appreciate the good swells that much more when they do come around. I think we all appreciate the good days just a little bit more than our west coast counterparts. We're not as spoiled I guess. Well I will probably hear a bunch of positive and a bunch of negative responses to this post. I hope you guys can give me some advice on what to expect out west. This site has been a phenomenal resource for anyone who surfs on the east coast. I hope this thing continues and grows. Thanks guys and good luck with the surfing this fall/winter cause god knows we deserve something after this summer!
Pros: Hotter chicks, better Mexican food, more surf, better weather, better scenery. Cons: That "born and raised" Cal attitude, *****y chicks, ****ty pizza, less clean offshore days, crowds, no seasons, $5 gas. Enjoy. Stay in touch with your east coast friends, you'll be back in 3-5 years.
On my way back West in the Spring, agree with you after several years of the East Coast experience, but its time to go home. Safe travels, and good luck.....
Hope you have a great time. Check out the central coast "hidden" spots when you get sick of the crowds in OC. The locals can be fiercely territorial but I'm sure you'll show respect and fit right in. Best of luck to you!!!
Live it up my man. I did it for 10 years. Make sure to head south to San Diego in the winter for a better swell window and tons of reefs. Have fun.
*you can expect to need a wetsuit every time you surf (except for maybe a couple days in late august) *you can expect it to be sunny almost every day in fall, winter and spring...and foggy every summer morning (usually up until about noon) *you can expect rideable surf at least three times as many days as you would in jersey *you can expect winds to be calm almost every morning, blown out by noon, then glassed off again by evening *you can expect less barrels than you'd get in jersey *you can expect it to be just as crowded as jersey...only not as many beginners, so it'll be even harder to get waves *you can expect even more traffic than you ever expected *you can expect to be poor...newport is one of the most expensive places to live in the country *you can expect to eat a sh*tload of real baja fish tacos (none of that grilled ****)
not really - the water doesn't start warming up until about baja sur (halfway down the peninsula)...which, from newport, would be about a 10 hour drive
