moving from new jersey to san francisco for art college what are the waves like there? is it cold? my main board is a 9 6 log single fin shud i downgrade size or keep the log there
I found myself in a position to go to SF AND get put up in the Fairmont. So, I went and took a board. I surfed Ocean beach and it was pretty small both days - maybe waist to chest. It was fun. It was in the fall and the water was mid 50s. Not cold at all by NJ standards… Saw people out there on all sorts of crafts. I would take it and then also pick up some boards for different conditions as you learn the spots.
yea im plannin on bringin more boards than just that 1 wat mill wetsuit you think lke a 4/3. boots? gloves?
As long as you’re going to be an Art major and not study English, you **Should **ride what whatever works for your style.
(Sorry, it’s just my inner Troll coming out 
)
Today the surf was 17’ and I was wearing shorts and a T-shirt at the beach.
In the winter I wear a 4/3 wetsuit with boots and no gloves. In the summer the water gets warmer but the weather gets colder.The surf comes in all sizes and shapes with 40 + surf spots with in and hour drive. Logs work great at Lindamar. Here are some pics from yesterdays surf.
[img_assist|nid=1049057|title=secret surf spot|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=640|height=480][img_assist|nid=1049058|title=Deadmans|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=640|height=480]
thanks for those pics. there relly nice. a while ago i was in sf and saw a spot by an old army base if i remeber correctly it wasnt under the bridge but it was close i think it was right outside saucilido
there was lot's of swell in the water today but i couldn't find anywhere that organized the size.
i was watching one of my usual beachbreaks and the lips were taking almost 2 seconds to fall...
where'd you get in Lavarat? i ended up at the jetty. much smaller but lots cleaner... got some long
fun ones at headhigh to just overhead... too bad the tide didn't drop sooner...
kookiller13, you'll have a bunch of fun out here shoot me a pm. your log will be fine.
Hey Chris,
my wife made me go to her Bar Method exercise class today for the torture your hubby V.D. class.
After that I was shot, but I got some good ones at FortPoint on Sat. I am taking tomorrow off from work and will be up for a surf.
aww, wish i could, monday would be a nice day to drive south...
my wife's doing the taxes and i'm on baby duty.
I’ve been lurking for awhile, but this is my first post.
I’m going to be moving to SF from Florida some time in August.
Is my Patagonia R2 going to be thick enough or am I going to need to upgrade? Would an R3 or R4 be better?
Is it possible to surf most mornings? What’s the best neighborhood to be in if I want to do that? My brother in law and I have recently started shaping, so I’d love to be able to find a place with a small yard or garage.
We’ve got a car, but I’d love to be able to get rid of it. Right now getting to the beach is the biggest obstacle in being able to get rid of the car. Considering maybe getting a motorcycle with a rack. I guess if we lived close enough to the beach I could do the same thing with a bike.
Seems like Ocean Beach, Fort Point and Pacifica are the main places people in SF surf. Anything I should know before I checkout some of these spots?
Spend some time observing Ocean Beach before you go out there: the place can really kick your ass (as in “drown you”) when it has any size. I used to surf there back in the early '70s and experienced some pretty good hold-downs. It isn’t at all protected from the wind, so blows out easily and often early. Currents can be strong on days with wide tidal swings, when huge volumes of water move in and out of SF Bay. A 9’6" log would not be my weapon of choice except on the smallest summer days. If you plan to attempt riding it when it’s macking during the winter, you’d better be in top physical condition and have a serious gun and big wave leash. Would be really surprised if you’ve surfed in the kind of power OB can dish out in New Jersey.
Sky,
you’ll need a warm wetsuit for late fall - spring, water temps in the mid to low 50’s.
Mornings are a great time to surf OB when it’s on, best from fall - winter, ridable rest of the year depending on wind. My son surfs OB most days before work.
OB is a big beach, 3 miles of changing lineups. The middle of the beach is usually 2x as big as either ends of the beach.
Most surfers have cars so they can scout the beach, carry a quiver. It’s also colder then hell most am’s, and anything you leave on your bike/motorcycle probably won’t be there when you get back due to the homeless cruising about. And there are some really good waves between OB and Santa Cruz you’ll want a car for.
Fair amount of locals do live in the outer Sunset and post up on the breaks closest to their house, walk to the surf. Most prefer the blocks from Noriega north to Lincoln (Google a SF map, you’ll understand). Go to SF Craigslist, under rentals search Sunset, Outer Sunset, you’ll see what rents are about.
Sunset Shapers has a guest shaping room you can book for use, and will sell you materials as well.
Know that OB is without question one of the most changing and challenging lineups anywhere. It will make you a better surfer and absolutely make you a stronger surfer.
Like everyone else said, water is not cold compared to the East Coast
but
If you surf in San Francisco you will die
OB is surfable probably 300+ days per year. If you live within biking distance of the sand, you could get rid of your car.
As another poster said, there are a ton of spots between S.C. to the mouth of the bay and even more to the north.
As far as wetsuit, I like a 4/3 with booties, sometimes hood, in the winter.
Although, I am looking for a 5/4 hooded just to be cozy.
Say “Hi” to Fluffy for me when you get there…
Surfed OB from '65 thu '85.......
As said, a 4/3 with booties and hood for cold days, slide hood back for sunny days, flip it on for pushthrus.
Log not ideal. Too long to make it out. I"d choose a 7'6" x 19.5 tri fin myself.
You might embrace Ft.Point, as it's slow, mushy, really crowded. That pic is a 6' day.
Deadman's, requires a 700' hike down the cliffs, no logs ever there. Locals most inhospitable.
The beach itself, OBSF, will break your log anytime you go out in heavy 5' surf. You will probably only make it out 7 out of 10 surfable days. And if the winds are offshore, most days it's good, you will miss more than half your wave attempts.