Southern California In December

the pier in o-side can get heavy. if there's any sideshore flow, be sure to check the harbor jetties just north of there since those breaks are a bit more protected.

i mean, if you're focusing your excursion around oceanside, you're a short drive from some of the best breaks in our country. lowers, uppers, church's, old man's, that whole area of cobblestone breaks is a 15-20 minute drive across camp pendleton, but be prepared to pay $10 to park. the area around san clemente pier also has some options and parking is somewhat less of a hassle.

if you don't want to leave SD county then head south into carlsbad for some rivermouth breaks (exit tamarack off the 5) or further down past encinitas into cardiff for swami's which is a decent point break on big northwests. cardiff has all kinds of reef options, just drive up and down the 1 - it's right along the water - and you'll see where people tend to gather.

 

oh, if you're coming from charleston, you don't by any chance have a military ID? if so, DMJ's is epic and uncrowded on solid winter swell. it's just north of oceanside harbor in pendleton - you have to pass through a security checkpoint to access this break though. figure it's worth throwing out there because that's probably the best beachbreak around o-side, in my opinion. at 4-8+ ft in morning glass, you'll be staring at some of the longest, fastest barrels around.

 

There are A ton of places Trestles is not to far north and is real fun also Salt creek. 20 Min off the 5.

 

PM sent. No need to drop places and names online.

 

this time of year means combo swell city anyway, and it's been okay so far. no more below-waist days for the extended forecast so that's always a good thing.