Uhh i need location help?

Question

As a newer surfer, Im goin to out to Cali next summer and I want to know where a good place for me to ride is...thats not really a locals owned territory. I want a place where I will be able to progress as a rider in peace.

Answer 1

It depends on where in California you're going to be.  There are a bunch of "beginner" breaks you can go to where the locals shouldn't be as territorial.  These breaks are known for being gentler, especially for beginners.  

In San Diego, I'd say Old Mans or Tourmaline St in Pacific Beach.  South Mission Jetty is nice too, just don't go too close to the jetty, that's where the locals like their space.  Move up north from the jetty about a hundred yards and you'll be fine.  

In North County San Diego, try Carlsbad or Oceanside.  Both can be fun and forgiving on a medium/small day.  

On the San Diego/Orange County border, there's San Onofre.  There's plenty of beach and plenty of breaks there.  It's known as a really good beginner waves.  You can get really long rides, and there are a lot of peaks so a lot of people can ride at once.  It can get crowded ... then again, everywhere in california can get crowded.  :)

In Orange County, Doheney is great, that's in the Dana Point area.  North of that I'd go to Blackies in Newport Beach.  If it's really super big, don't go out.  99% of the time though it's a safe bet.  Just watch out for the Newport Pier and the Jetty.  ;)

In Newport, the next few jetties up are a good place to go also.  Same with the river mouth between Huntington and Newport, just watch out for that pollution...wouldn't want to get Hepititis!

Bolsa Chica is between Huntington and Long Beach.  It is a fun place you can learn and advance.  

I'm not too familiar with the LA area...but who wants to surf in the p**p there anyways?  ;)

In Santa Cruz area, Pleasure Point is a great place to go.  Super fun, fairly friendly crowd...for Santa Cruz at least.  There's also Cowels, which I would kinda compare to San Onofre.  

Half Moon Bay is a friendly place to surf.  Make sure you have a warm wetsuit!!!  ;)  It gets pretty chilly up there.  I've only surfed it once, I had my regular full suit that I wear in Southern California in the winter, and I was FREEZING up there.  I couldn't even stay out for an hour.  

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Wherever you go though, you can find good vibes and bad vibes.  One of the most important things to remember as a beginner is to just respect everyone in the water and do your best to follow "the rules" out there.

Here's some main rules to follow.

- If someone is riding a wave, it's their's, don't go for it too.  

- If someone is riding a wave, give them the right of way, don't paddle right in front of them.  

- don't ditch your board, hold on to it.

Answer 2

along the Malibu coast and up around Santa Barbara, half moon bay is another great.

Answer 3

I am a beginner and have been surfing Bolsa Chica.  Its easy to park there and the waves are good for learning (usually not too steep).  I have never seen any territorial skirmish break out there either.  They do have some surf schools on the weekends, but for the most part is less touristy than Huntington Beach and Newport Beach.