N.J. to Los Angeles Relocation

LOL, I only hype spots that are already zooed (and that I don't surf anymore). I'm a d**k like that. But I'll go delete. Except Blacks. I'm leaving that one. All you kooks go to Blacks.

Some donkey hears of a spot, then they google it, then they google earth it, then they show up. I probably shouldn't have mentioned some of the hints I did.

I have never google-earthed a named spot (though I've found a couple of places where nobody surfs that way). That's not because I'm a hipster, it's just because I'm old. If I was a grom or a hungry new transplant, I'd google the s- out of every spot I ever heard mentioned.

@34th: Report back on this thread in a couple of months. I'm curious if it's still the land of surf and p---y that I remember, down there. I want to hear from a SoCal virgin, not some jaded dude already on crazy b---h lockdown.

 

http://www.wannasurf.com/spot/North_America/USA/California/LA_County/
opps

 

you will now be bangin trannys. enjoy la

 

It's further from work than I'd go, but not bad. You can get some windswell dribblers and something will be rideable if we get a big south--not likely in an El Nino year. You can drive around the knob to your south and get something down at ____ ____h. Or go north of Malizoo. This winter will be epic, though. Get your HEP-A/B shots, because the south bay is going to turn into one big toilet for the first few storms. It hasn't rained since like 2005, so the riverbeds are pretty much knee-deep in homeless tranny poop.

After a month of flushing, you can go ahead and surf during or after the rain, but I'd seriously watch it for the first 2-3 storms.

You probably don't need any more swellinfo advice now that you're in place. Just make friends with the locals. Check back in sometime during the winter and let us know how it is down there.

 

It's further from work than I'd go, but not bad. You can get some windswell dribblers and something will be rideable if we get a big south--not likely in an El Nino year. You can drive around the knob to your south and get something down at ____ ____h. Or go north of Malizoo. This winter will be epic, though. Get your HEP-A/B shots, because the south bay is going to turn into one big toilet for the first few storms. It hasn't rained since like 2005, so the riverbeds are pretty much knee-deep in homeless tranny poop.

After a month of flushing, you can go ahead and surf during or after the rain, but I'd seriously watch it for the first 2-3 storms.

You probably don't need any more swellinfo advice now that you're in place. Just make friends with the locals. Check back in sometime during the winter and let us know how it is down there.

 

This may not be all that pertinent to what you're doing, but I'll throw it in anyway.
In 1969, my family moved from Dayton, Ohio to Palos Verdes Peninsula, CA. I was 13 and in 8th grade. My folks really had to extend themselves financially, but us moving to CA was the best thing that could've happened. From our backyard, we could see Catalina Island. The ocean/beach became such a big part of our lives. It was the best decision my folks ever made, and I (now almost 60) am still grateful for it.
Wish you the best.

 

I actually did something really similar last November except from Florida. I drove out planning to move to S.L.O or Santa Cruz but ended up in LA due to work. El Porto gets super fun and sometimes huge during the winter. This time of year from Malibu up into the beginning of Ventura county can get really fun. Shoot me a P.M if you'd want to link up for a surf. It's not looking too promising at the moment but there's always something out here thanks to the long period swells.

 

Other than part of my time in the Navy, I lived in So. and Central Calif from 1969 thru most of 1997: Palos Verdes, San Luis Obispo (graduated from Cal Poly), San Diego (while in the Navy), and the Ventura area. I did not get into surfing until I was 57 and after having moved to VA Beach, but I sure enjoyed diving off PV, Catalina, and the Channel Islands. Loved those kelp beds.

 

The official line is 72 hours after measureable rain. I've surfed sooner than that, and I've even paddled into a river full of green farm-smelling runoff and never gotten sick, but that was to surf the ____ ___ which is a once-in-5 years event and pulls pros from all over the world when it makes it's appearance.

If the first storm is a massive blowout, I'd wait a 4-5 days, or even skip it for a week if the swell isn't that good. The reduced salinity and lack of UV in the cloudy water lets the bacteria live longer.

After that, 72 hours is probably fine. Unless you are just a total freak, there's no need to risk your health to get some junky storm surf. There are usually plenty of solid winter days with no rain. We typically get hit by 1 out of every 3 storms, while the rest stay north and just blast us with epic clean swell. Just wait until you get one of those offshore January days with OH-to-DOH long periods bombing all up and down the coast. Whooee!

During a typical winter, a storm that actually hits us is usually an excuse to take a break and heal/rest up. Of course, if El-Nino hits like in '97, then all bets are off.