California is one of the worlds best surfing destinations and there are plenty of great options for beginners.

15 Best Surfing Spots In California For Beginners

ByHaley Posted on Updated on
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Looking For The Best Surfing Spots For Beginners In California?

As a half Californian (my mom & her family are from here), I spent many summers on these California beaches and even crossed off learning to surf from my bucket list here.

California really is one of the best places for surfing, so here’s my complete list of the best spots, south to north, for beginners to try some famous California breaks.

⬇️ Southern California Surfing For Beginners

Southern California is number one when it comes to surfing in my opinion (this is where I learned to surf), because the warmer temperatures and calmer waters (in certain parts) are perfect for beginners.

1. La Jolla Shores Beach

I went to a surf camp as a teenager at La Jolla Shores Beach and I thought it was very easy for those new to surfing.

I went to a surf camp one summer at La Jolla Shores in San Diego and I must say it was one of the easiest beginner spots I’ve ever surfed (though I did see quite a bit of marinelife here).

The waves were very consistent and smooth, but not as fast or powerful as some other breaks along the California coast.

2. San Onofre Beach

I camped out at San O beach when I was in high school and rode one of the largest waves I've ever ridden (still to this day).

One summer when I was in high school (after a somewhat underestimated storm) I camped out at San Onofre Beach with a surf group and got a bit more than a beginners surfing experience.

It was awesome, I loved it, but I did ride down the face of an 8 foot wave which was quite large for someone who’d only surfed a few times.

Typically though, San O (as many call it) is a fantastic spot for beginners because the rocky terrain keeps beachgoers away, but produces smooth and consistent waves.

3. Laguna Beach

Laguna is one of the southernmost towns in Orange County (Southern California) and it can be a great spot for surfing, even for beginners.

Laguna is one of the southernmost towns in Orange County, made up of many beach coves. It’s got much more of a small beach town feel, than the chaos of a Los Angeles area beach.

Many breaks in Laguna are perfect for more experienced surfers, but Thalia Street Beach is one of the best surf spots for beginners because of its soft, consistent, and gentle waves, as well as its friendly surf atmosphere.

4. Newport Beach

The wedge is my favorite place to sit and watch experienced surfers, bodyboarders, and bodysurfers after a storm.

I’ve had a couple surf sessions at Newport Beach over the years and even some private lessons (from a family friend). It’s typically one of the best surfing spots for beginners in Orange County (and Southern California in general) because of it’s smaller and more consistent waves.

One downside is the amount of people that frequent this beach, but if you go early enough, you’ll have a little more space.

Local Tip: After a storm, the best place to watch experienced surfers, bodyboarders, & bodysurfers is at The Wedge (pictured above, waves were 10-15ft last time I went).

5. Huntington Beach (aka Surf City USA)

I learned to surf at Huntington Beach and although it might not be the easiest surfing spot for beginners in California, it's definitely the coolest because of the surf culture and that a professional tournament takes place here.

Huntington Beach is my number one surfing destination in California, and although it’s not always the easiest for beginners, it’s the best place to be surrounded by everything surf.

This is where I first learned to surf and I’m very proud to say that I learned in the surf capital of the US. The beaches are wide and the waves are consistent, but it’s fairly crowded and the waves can be a bit more powerful.

Local Tip: In August, check out the US Surf Open competition. It’ll be crowded and not great for learning to surf, but awesome to watch the professionals.

6. Bolsa Chica State Beach

Checking out the waves and everything going on before paddling out.

Bolsa Chica is just up from Huntington Beach, but because it’s a state beach, there are typically fewer crowds in comparison to its neighbor.

This beach is great for beginners because waves are generally smaller and more gentle, while the beach is wide and full of soft sand (great for when you fall 😆), plus it’s one of the closest beaches to Anaheim (for Disney visitors).

7. Hermosa Beach

Hermosa Beach is more of a local residential beach so you won't get quite as many tourist crowds at this Los Angeles County beach.

A family friend has a house just off the beach in Hermosa, so I’ve spent a lot of time at this Los Angeles County beach.

Although tar can sometimes be a problem (it’s a problem at many beaches here), Hermosa Beach is more of a local, residential beach so you won’t get loads of tourists like some of the beaches just north, plus it has pretty consistent year round waves.

8. Venice Beach

Venice Beach isn't the nicest beach, but they do offer lots of beginner surf lessons because of all the tourists.

Venice Beach isn’t known as one of the absolute top surfing spots in California, but it’s such a popular area for tourists so they offer lots of surf lessons for beginners.

Whenever I’ve visited, it seems like most of the crowds are checking out what’s going on up on the street rather than down in the water, but beware that it’s not the safest area (there’s a large homeless population) and you’ll want to avoid beach bathrooms here 🤢.

9. Santa Monica Beach

Santa Monica isn't the top beginner surf destination, but it is good enough for beginners and convenient for tourists.

Like its Venice Beach neighbor, Santa Monica gets tons of tourists year round so it gets crowded, but waves are typically great for beginners, plus its a famous place many would love to say they’ve surfed.

The many times I’ve visited Santa Monica, the pier seems way more crowded than the beach, but because of all the tourists, there are good beginner surf lesson options.

10. Malibu

Malibu is a great surfing spot for intermediates but it can also have some good beginner waves.

Heading towards Malibu you’ll notice a complete terrain change with beautiful natural areas like the Santa Monica Mountains, Topanga State Park, and Point Mugu State Park to the north.

The beach side of Malibu is one of the most popular for intermediate surfers, but depending on conditions, they can provide good beginner waves, and who wouldn’t love to say they’ve surfed in Malibu.

11. Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara isn't the best year round surfing destination, but when it does have waves, there are some good beginner spots.

Whether you’re doing a road trip, getting out of hectic LA, or just a fan of the show Psych (it wasn’t actually filmed here 🥲), Santa Barbara is a nice and much calmer city to visit.

It can also be perfect for beginner surfers because of its mild tides, low currents, and pretty consistent waves (but mostly in winter). Better beginner spots include Leadbetter Beach, Mondo’s Beach, Campus Point, & Solimar.

⬆️ Northern California Surfing For Beginners

Although Northern California has colder weather and water temperatures, surfing is still extremely popular (even for beginners) and it’s got a world class big wave surfing destination.

12. Pismo Beach

Pismo Beach is one of the best Central California surfing destinations for beginners because of its consistent and easy breaks.

Pismo Beach is just up about 1.5 hours from Santa Barbara in Central California territory. It’s one of the areas best beaches for year round waves (even when others seem to be dead).

While surfing closer to the pier or during winter is great for more advanced surfers, it’s so perfect for beginners because of its soft, gentle, rolling waves (especially during summer).

13. Morro Bay

Morro Bay is a great beginner surfer spot and its pretty close to the super cool Elephant Seal Vista Point.

Morro Bay is a cute coastal town that’s the perfect road trip stop as its just south of the scenic coastal Big Sur drive, Pebble Beach, and the Monterey area.

It’s also a popular year round surfing destination and even has a popular spot at Cayucos Pier for beginners, where small rolling mushy waves are common (especially in summer).

14. Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz is the best surfing spot in Northern California in my opinion, and there are plenty of places for beginners to paddle out.

Santa Cruz is my second favorite surf town in California (Huntington Beach being the first) not only for surfing itself, but also for its surf culture (Mexican food, a surf museum, the best surf apparel, etc.).

To become a surf town, you’ve got to have pretty good surf, and Santa Cruz definitely does throughout the year for all skill levels. Good beginner spots include Capitola Beach, Cowell’s, Manresa Main State Beach, or Rio Del Mar Beach.

Local Tip: Santa Cruz and Pacifica (that follows) are part of the “Red Triangle” 🦈 . To give you a little peace of mind, I highly recommend Sharkbanz (I love mine).

15. Pacifica State Beach (San Francisco)

Pacifica State Beach is one of the closest options to the city of San Francisco and typically a good spot for beginners.

Pacifica is the perfect beach to try out surfing for those visiting the San Francisco area because waves close out pretty consistently, making them small and easy for beginners.

But beware that it’s typically crowded with lots of beginner surfers and it can be chaotic with the lack of surf etiquette followed here.

ℹ️ What To Know Before Surfing In California

Beginners should be extra cautious in the California waters and always practice proper surfing etiquette to keep from having any problems with locals.

Aside from surfing etiquette rules (pictured above), here are some other things for beginners to consider before paddling out in California:

  • factors like wind, swells, breaks, terrain, and crowds all help determine what makes a beach perfect for learning to surf, so the right choice can fluctuate
  • surfing lessons are totally worth it for beginners to stay safe and learn the right way to surf
  • even in summer, wetsuits are super helpful in both Southern and Northern California
  • in general, the earlier you paddle out the better, plus you’ll beat most beach crowds this way

🔁 Sum Up: Best Surfing In California For Beginners

It’s hard to go wrong when it comes to surfing in California, but there are some spots that are better suited for beginners because of the breaks, conditions, or culture. My top 2 picks for surfing in California are Huntington Beach and Santa Cruz, but you can’t go wrong with any on this list.

Haley

Haley is the owner and author of Adventure Evermore, a travel blog that encourages users to explore, adventure, & bucket list around the world, no matter what anxieties or other difficulties they may have. When she's not writing blog posts about her favorite destinations, she's reading, out playing soccer, or watching sports, tv, & movies (especially The X Files).