Smaller alternative to OB SF?

haha. Yeah, you can pretty go anywhere but there and it will be "smaller".... But you are on the right track. The ***** spot you mention will offer up the protection that you desire. Similar setups a little south at pacifica. You will probably want to go down there, where a somewhat small stretch of coast line will go from exposed, to not exposed in a very short length of beach. You can setup down there and see where the angle tapers off and makes it more manageable. I would not offer 20 @ 20 to you pretty much anywhere up there. Just based on your time in the water. A lot of people with many years wouldn't play on an open beach break up there with those numbers, including me. I doubt 2 weeks out it will stick solid at 20 @ 20, but if it does, you better hide around a big point and play in the defraction.

 

What about F.P.? Has some novelty factor perhaps.

 

man up and paddle ob. The fog is so thick you won't even see the 23 footers coming. You will have to rely on the ghost of Jay Moriarity to find the peak. Again, head to toe patagonia is recommended for such an adventure.

 

Get a big telephoto lens and take pics of Mavs or somewhere nearby. How often are you going to witness 20@20? FtPt is an option, but I have heard it is very localized. And I can only imagine the currents. You may get sucked out to the middle of the Bay or end up in Oakland.

 

Where are you getting these predictions from? 20ft @ 20s doesn't seem right at all. The current superstorm in the Bering Sea is going to push out 7ft @ 16s which is going to create about 12ft faces. The storm is pretty far away so its not going to be that big despite the storm's intensity.

What day are you coming and trying to surf? I moved here from the east coast about 6 months ago and would surf with you if it doesn't conflict with my work. PM me if you want. I always surf OB if it's under 12ft as it's the best wave in the area. There are other (safer) alternatives but are either crowded, full of kooks, difficult to get to or super localized.

 

I seen something like the biggest hurricane that ever formed in the bering strait is there now,but not supposed to deliver any swell.id go for the ob sesh.just don't even paddle,take ur time,let the rip pull u out 1000 yards til ur on the outer sandbar.its one of those places I have to surf before I die.the footage is incredible of the place,its the kind of place if I lost my board I would die out there

 

If you would drive all the way up there you might as well just go south on the 1 to Santa Cruz. The crowds will be thick but you'll get lined up waves without the OBSF death

 

yeah dude, there's a reason that OBSF has a bad reputation for paddle outs. Even at 4', you're going to take some on the head. The place is shifty with a lot of sneaker sets. No real channels to speak of, even for a beach break. I don't really have very much experience with that area, unfortunately.

There's an alliterative bay just north of the Bridge that may be OK if it's not too big because it's protected, NW winds pretty much blow offshore there. It might be a little hard to find, because the locals historically rip down signage as soon as it goes up. They can be a little surly there, too. I have a buddy that's loc there, he recently sent me a local shirt that reads "B****** Border Patrol"...kind of a badge of honor.

If it's 12' @ 12 seconds, it's gonna be pretty big. I'd rule out the beach breaks in the area unless it was blowing offshore or oily glass and totally groomed. A few of the more protected BB's in the area most likely won't hold the size, and the reefs and points in that particular area are kinda gnarly and well-protected by graysuites and other loc's...but since you're rocking solo, you should be cool.

There's some other stuff immediately south, if you don't mind surfing in the heart of the Red Triangle.

Falling Andrew is right...your best chance for quality surf will be what he suggested. You'll be surprised at the differences in attitudes and lifestyle between SC and SF.

 

and, I name this because its already in a guide book: deadmans, FP's cousin that is *ACTUALLY* a wave instead of a burgery garbage.

now you want to talk about localized......

 

+ 1 cron and pacifica

 

even at HH OB is a long paddle and lots of duck diving. IMO once OH you can ride a standard SB but it is not as fun as you might think when you miss a wave and find yourself too far inside, getting pitched, or closed out followed by a long paddle and lots of duck diving. Proper equipment is key... a surprising flat rocker step up. However, get a good one and it seems all worth it ...then its a long paddle and lots of duck diving.

 

OB is not even an option at that size. Unless you are towing in. The spot thru the tunnel people have recommended is localized, the other spot you speak of that the locals rip down the signs is too. At that 20 @ 20, it could actually be worth a shot. 9 times out of 10 it isn't worth the drive. Which is still about an hour and a half from SF. You have to go over mt tam. Long, sketchy drives are pretty much the norm out there.

You can pm me if you want. I grew up north of the bay. Know the area real well. Not really a quick access kind of land tho. Good luck homie.

 

Just tell the locals you are from Massachusetts, have only surfed for two years, and want to grab some 20 footers with them. I'm sure they'll be very accommodating. Especially in Santa Cruz.

I travel for work to San Fran a few times a year. Always hit this spot. http://www.greenchilekitchen.com/

 

Wow emass! Looks like you got yourself a run for your money!

 

Say hi to all the pro's for me once you make it outside.

 

Surfline cam is on OBSF now. Looks to be about a solid 6' (west coast 6') with offshores, pretty walled with a few corners here and there. Probably gonna pick up over the next couple of days...I'd be looking for some reef surf.