For thousands of years, people have been paddling out to find the perfect wave. Many travel around the world to find this connection and their perfect wave. Hot surf spots are found worldwide. But SoCal visitors have the luxury and convenience of surfing some of the best waves in the world right here.
During the summer, the beach is always a favorite destination. In fact, under SoCal’s sunny, blue skies and warm climate, the beach is enjoyed all year long; particularly by surfers, thanks to wetsuits. Surfing is an individual sport that many feel connects the mind, body, and soul. The awesome power of waves and one’s union with them through surfing just naturally draws people into the ocean.
SoCal has long been synonymous with surfing. Malibu, Huntington, Newport, San Clemente, and San Onofre are among the top spots for waves. Surfers come from miles around to surf these beaches. Not only are they great for surfing, they’re picturesque, too. If you’re watching your surfer from the sand, you’ll quickly relax in the beauty and serenity of your surroundings.
Exceptional surfing waves are plentiful along SoCal’s coast due in large part to the lengthy strip of western facing beaches. It’s ideal for good swells. Other conditions that help make great surfing here are water temperature, low winds, and temperate weather. Conditions change several times each day, so before you leave your hotel, log on to www,surfline.com and check current wave conditions just by entering the name of the spot where you want to go out. Surfline.com is the information source for all things surfing. 
Some of the local top spots from north to south include Zuma Beach and Topanga (be careful, it’s a rocky beach) in Malibu; south side of the Santa Monica Pier; Golden West Street and the Huntington Beach Pier in Huntington; Blackies (24th Street) and 54th Street in Newport; Salt Creek in Dana Point; Trafalgar Street in San Clemente; and Upper and Lower Trestles at San Onofre. Take a look at the accompanying map we’ve put together that highlights these and other good surf spots.
There may be a lot of good surfers in the water, but there’s plenty of room for everybody, including beginners. If you’re here on vacation and have never surfed, there’s no time like the present! And don’t let your age stop you either. You’ll see plenty of middle aged baby boomers in the water. All you need is a little instruction, and there’s plenty available.
Instructors will provide you with a wetsuit and board, and pretty soon, you’ll be “popping up” and “ripping” (surf lingo for standing up on the board and cutting back and forth across the waves). You’ll start out on the sand with detailed instruction about your board, how to lie on it, how to paddle out into the waves, how to pop up, how to ride a wave, and most importantly, how to come off the board in the water so you don’t risk injury. Then after your instructor thinks you have an adequate understanding, you’ll head out to the surf. Get ready for an unforgettable experience!
Surf instruction is plentiful along Southern California’s beaches. Whether you want private or group lessons, or are looking for a weeklong surf camp, or even an overnight camp where you sleep in a tent on a bluff overlooking the beach, there are lots of choices. To help you get started, we’ve compiled a few names and websites in both OC and Los Angeles. For price and sign-up information, visit the individual websites. For a complete listing of surf schools along the SoCal coast, visit surfline.com/surfology/schools.
Newport Beach
Newport Surf School
Matt Binswanger, owner/instructor; international and national surf champion
newportsurfschool.com
Group or private lessons that emphasize safety and technical expertise
Huntington Beach
Corky Carroll’s Surf School
Corky Carroll, owner/instructor
corksurf@aol.com
corkycarroll.com
Group or private lessons, weekly and daily surf camps
San Onofre
Endless Summer Surf Camp
949.498.7862
endlesssummersurfcamp.com
Day camp, overnight camp (includes lodging, meals), group or private lessons
Santa Monica
Islands Surf Camp
Das Jesson, owner 310.866.1941
Jeff Gerlach, senior staff instructor 310.739.1948
isurfcamp.com
Kids camp and teen camp (safety instruction includes first-aid and CPR)
Malibu
Malibu Makos Surf Club
310.317.1229
malibumakos.com
Private lessons, camps for all ages
Check Out the Local Surf Shops
Even if you decide not to venture into the water, you can at least look the part. Pick up some board shorts, Rainbows (the classic flip flop for surfers), or even a tee shirt while you’re in town. Here are a few suggested locations:
Huntington Beach
Huntington Surf and Sport
300 Pacific Coast Highway
714.841.4000
hsssurf.com
Newport Beach
Jack’s Surfboards
2727 Balboa Blvd.
949.673.2300
jacksurf.com
Laguna Beach
Laguna Surf and Sport
1088 So. Coast Highway
949.497.7000
surfandsport.com
San Clemente
Rocky’s Surf City
100 S. El Camino Real
949.361.2946
Malibu
Becker Surf & Sport
23755 Malibu Road, #400
(Webb Way & Pacific Coast Hwy.)
310.456.7155
beckersurf.com
Santa Monica
ZJ Boarding House
2619 Main Street
888.799.5646
ZJBoardingHouse.com
Santa Monica Surf Shop
1335 Main St.
310.451.7677
islandsurfshop.com
Surfing – A Rich History
Although no one knows for sure exactly where and when stand-up surfing began, there is no doubt that over the centuries the ancient sport of "he'e nalu" (wave-sliding) was perfected by the Kings and Queens, along with the men and women, of the Sandwich Isles. The Islands’ geographical position brought the great waves of the Pacific in all shapes and sizes.
He'enalu is a Hawaiian term adopted by ancient poets to describe their spectacular sport of surfing. This popular form of recreation is rich in what Hawaiians call kaona, or hidden meaning. The first half, "he'e," can mean "to change from a solid to a liquid form,” or “to run as a liquid.” The second part, "nalu" can refer to the surfing motion of a wave or the foaming of a wave, hence he'enalu, wave-sliding.
Surfing in the Modern Day
Today, surfing is a sport enjoyed by people of all ages, ethnicities, and abilities. The surf culture is as diverse as those riding the waves. Some surf for recreation and others make surfing their life and their occupation. Some surfers have come to embrace the recent commercialism of surfing, while others reject it. There have been countless surf films, and today we can find surf museums, web sites, magazines, and even television stations. Surfing has become main stream and is now a multi-million dollar industry. Despite the differences, one major factor connects most surfers: a passion for the ocean and the power of waves.
Surfing to the Future
Since the birth of surfing, the sport has been taken to levels never thought possible. Due to science and the pursuit of the perfect wave, newly-created technologies have made surfing more accessible and enjoyable. From board shape and size, to custom wetsuits, to tow-in surfing, the sport has evolved into an engineered scientific art form.
Surfing continues to evolve. With every new generation, there is a new champion, a new invention, and fresh ideas pushing the limits of the sport of surfing.
So get out there – it’s firing! But don’t forget - check surfline.com for the latest information about wave conditions, events, gear and more.
