I am going to college in san luis obispo, central CA in a month and i am still looking for a wetsuit. My buddy says 4/3 booties and a hood is good for year round temperatures, just wanted to double check. Would a 4.5/3.5 wettie be a bit better for those cold winter mornings?
I suggest a 5/6 with battery powered core heater vest, drylock hoodie, double thick lobster gloves and booties. Oh.....I live in South Florida, so I may be a bit thin skinned. I heard if you drink liquid iron it will thicken your blood up.
Good luck at SLO. Went to school there too. I know the area but didn't surf at the time. IMO your buddy's 4/3, boots and hood recommendation should cover all conditions there. I wore the same here when water and air got down to 37, and I'm quite a bit older. Granted, my sesh's are usually only 1 to 1 1/2 hour. Bear in mind that the wind is what can really get you - at least it does me on those cooler days.
4/3 with booties and a hood is good for all of CA north of SD. It doesn't really get that cold, even on "cold" days. The water regulates the temp right at the beach. The coldest I've ever seen it was 36 degree air at Secos one morning, but the water was still a toasty mid-50's. Eventually you'll want a 3/2 for sunny summer days.
