Headed to pasadena, California in 2 weeks to visit a friend. I've never been and he said he will take me wherever i wanna go. what should i check out while I'm there? he has a couple of boards that ill be able to use but he doesn't surf much. any suggestions would be great
This time of year go to Ventura! The north swells come in this time of year and they get all the surf. Its a great point and home of some great shapers as well. Also not too far from Pasadena. Malibu can break but you need a big one to wrap around the point. Zuma can also be good. Also Ventura has cleaner water than anywhere south. I was surfing Malibu last year in February and got lucky with no crowds and perfect small long tube rides. Right now its kinda funky with the way the river mouth is acting.
any where north is right. County line, ventura, rincon, point dume...ect. Make sure you don't surf a few days after rain. I moved to NC and asked a guy at a surf shop here if they wait and he looked at me like I was crazy. SM bay is pretty dirty but it's got some fun beach breaks also. Venice beach is great for the atmosphere and el porto is consistent. Watch out for upwellings they get cold so bring your boots. If you're single... go out and have fun, it's candy land.
i go to school up by the ventura, santa barbara county line...youre gonna be like on the east side of LA so you can go north or south...yah this is the time of year when my area is supposed to get slammed with waves but we haven't gotten too much yet. this is the uhh la nina year? so idk apparently the swells just aren't filling in like they should. and personally, sorry swell info, but the reports for west coast on this site are horrible. your best bet for reports is to follow surfline's three day report and just wing it based on that , they know what they're talking about. and when it comes to surfing after rain...no one gives a ****, they all surf, everyone just gets sick
swellinfo is accurate for sd county - actually underestimates most winter swells but then again the ob pier is a nw magnet. if you're in pasadena i'd recommend hb pier... just take 710 to 405
be realistic traffic issues aside, half moon bay is a 6-8 hour drive (go there when you visit san francisco). you will be within 45-90 minutes (depending on traffic) of iconic spots like malibu, venice, huntington beach, laguna beach, and trestles, and within two hours of southern breaks near san diego and northern spots such as ventura, carpenteria and even santa barbara. weekends are a bit crowded esp since surf has been up lately (at least down south...sorry north la guys....it's fading as we speak). water is in mid 50's right now, so by east coast standards it's probably not an issue. have fun. when you get back home, tell 'em it was horrible.
If I were you I'd head up to Jalama beach and camp and surf. It is beyond scenic and the standout break, Turantulas is legit- head down the beach to that one. The other breaks are a bit more tide sensitive but turn on for more than a few golden hours. It's the best overall experience I can suggest for CA. If you're trying to stay closer to civilization you can't go wrong with the waves and the scene at California street AKA the fairground in Ventura. It always seems like a casual & stoked vibe there with everyone from beginners to ASP pros in the water.
