I am a freshman in college and spring break is now only a month away so me and a buddy decided that we could take an easy week trip and didnt have the money for a tamarindo surf camp that hes been to in the past. So heres what we have so far, i found a semi cheap flight with American Airlines which is non stop to LAX. We decided that we would fly into Los Angeles rather than San Diego due to the fact that we are both 18 years of age and the one and only car rental service that permits is located 1 mile from the LAX airport. We are coming in Tues March 9 early in the morning, and will be departing very late Saturday night, March 13. I tried to get the most day out of the trip to try and get as much water time as possible. So my questions for so many of you native California surfers,>>>>in 5 full days of stay, will we have enough time to make it basically from Malibu to San Diego and back and get as many spots in as possible, ie. blacks, smamis, cardiff, huntington, seal beach, churches, etc>>>>Is is a bad idea even coming in March, all i am looking for are some groomed lines as my buddy wants some punchy walls being the raging shortboarder that he is? how much rain is the avg. for a week in march?>>>>What board should I bring if I can only bring 1 board? 6’0 12N x 18.75M(+1 offset) x 13.75T self shaped low nose rocker trifin shortboard -----------------or---------------------- 6’4 19N x 21.5M(+4 offset) x 14.75T self shaped single fin egg >>I am 5’8" tall and weigh 145 and made both boards from the inspiration of this site and all of you craftsmen who deserve much more respect than you recieve, Thank you for proving that there are other ways to ride waves rather than a rockered out 6’2 engulfed in stickers and such, Thanks in advance
We usually don’t get much rain in March. We do get strong onshore winds in the Spring. Look for spots sheltered from NW winds and get up early. The water temp can really dip this time of year, too. Good luck. Mike
yep what mike s said…lots of cold on shore flow. and kind of a in between time for N or S swell window. but you could get lucky and hit it just right. pray for surf…I’d skip Seal beach and Huntington. go early and head right to Salt Creek or Lowers. have fun!
Whoops, anyway I would just head straight to San Clemente, (Trestles). Stay at the Comfort Inn at the top of the hill, eat a Carls Jr and walk to the beach. Really no need to go anywhere else if you are going to be there only 5 days. If there is any kind of swell Trestles will pick it up. Also is so long and spread out, crowds arent too much a problem except at lowers where there is only one or two peaks.
Yep, MKIA is right on. Alternatives to the crowds might be the North Jetty at Oceanside (the Pendleton side) You can get on base to the campgrounds just N. of Oceanside harbor with proof of insurance on the vehicle. You are there as a guest to stay in the campgrounds w/ Sgt. Gary Dunham. Good break and a fast food joint just inside the gate. You could always bolt across the border and head S. towards Rosarito too. Tom S.
Be prepared for small mushy sloppy butt surf, board wise and mentally. That way you wont have too far to fall when you get here and it sucks. And get on it earlllly to beat the onshores for a while. And lowers is crowded as all heck, but is’nt everywhere?
go to malibu first-it’s the closest. then cruise hwy. 1 all the way down.might not get much surf, but you’ll see a lot of spots plus some other cool stuff…
go to malibu first- Matt has a good idea there…hell, maybe go to Rincon first (sorry Matt heh heh but what’s a few more?) and start working your way down. Certain places are absolute heart and soul wellsprings of the sport, and many are in Southern California. Certainly Malibu. Park the car and spend some time, paddle out even if it’s flat. You can’t help but feel the magic. Surfing doesn’t begin and end when you stand on a board. Similar expreriences may happen at other places.
thanks guys for all of your input, i will deffintely be making my first stop at malibu and the plan was to drive down PCH all the way and stop at as many spots as possible. I cant wait, What board do you guys suggest i bring if i can only bring one?
Go to Oxnard and Lunada Bay in palos Verdes.The people are very nice !!Just throw a shaka.Rincon is empty with long rides.No need for a wetsuit the weather is warm like in baywatch.Orange county has empty waves also.It’s so fun here I love all the warm water and empty waves at the beautiful california coast. NOT!!!
i just want to experience a little of surfing’s past and present(the present part dealing with the shortboard that i am bringing), oh by the way i am a fl. surfer, we will be plenty happy with crowded peaks and NW winds at noon, although my alarm will be set at 5:45 AM for the entire stay.
hitch a ride into the ranch on one of the many large suv’s w/ one person in it. good straight to rights and lefts and paddle out and talk real estate deals, really big.
You mean go straight to EGO PEAK, and ride in the Giant SUV with one guy and the green peace sticker on the window .The guy is really cool with a Brand new Yater or CI ,smoking a cigar,talking either movie deals or real estate.or yoga.I love EGO PEAK.I love the parking lot in front and everyone there is a NEW local at the Hollister.GIVE ME A BREAK!!! YOU can have it.
just changed my flight to IRELAND, doesnt seem like any other fluid riders are welcome at American Surfing’s homeland, CALIyellatmeforcomingandtryingtogetthewavesyouguyssurfeverymorningFORNIA.
Good call!! ireland sounds really good!! Maybe a little weather sensitive bit less crowdwd.It’s so packed and surfed here !I It’s done and so is hawaii. Kinda go weird now.Must think way ou of the box.This box is sold.
maybe ill keep my questions to the like of high aspect fin ratio, hydrodynamics, nifty little rail tools, and how to fill in the grooves on the base plate of the hitachi rather than asking how to actually find a part in this globe to take my craft to its home…liquid, or just stick to the blown out mush central florida provides, or get a 12’4 paddleboard to get waves, or stop my complaining, or …ok ill shut up i have chem lab in 2 hours.
yeah, i thought everything was going good for ya T L B. then, wham-o! your wave closed out. don’t let it discourage your cali trip, though.
Change your ticket to leave from San Jose. Experience the hell-hole of Los Angeles for an hour or two then drive north. With spring weather arriving you may find blown-out conditions north of Pt. Conception but what the hell. Take in the beauty-not one inch of it that you can see from the road is secret so I’m not giving away a thing. Ireland is best in late fall, but if you’re serious about going there instead, great! Good for you that at 18 you’re anxious to explore. Get your travel in before they reinstitute the draft and haul you away.
ireland would be awesome, still going to 'fornia, the cool thing is im conditioned to having fun in not-so-good conditions, so when blacks is waist-chest and weak with few people out, thatll be enough for me…