Whether you’re new to surfing, new to San Diego, or vacationing from out of town, here are some of the best beginner friendly spots in San Diego to give you the time of your life.
San Diego is home to 70 miles of Pacific coastline, friendly instructors, and world famous climate, making it the ideal spot to catch some waves or try something new on vacation. These locations are geared towards beginner to moderate riders who are looking to catch their next ride.
Here are our top three favorite spots:
1. Tourmaline Surfing Park
“Surf Well, Spread Aloha, Share Waves without Judgment.”
With a saying like that, you just gotta love Tourmaline! This is one of my favorite spots in San Diego not only for the surf but for the people as well. The vibe at Tourmaline is always laid back with a free beachfront parking lot that normally has a few musicians spending their time in the sun between sessions. This spot is relatively easy to locate right in between La Jolla and Pacific Beach just off of La Jolla Blvd.
Tourmaline has been a surfing right of passage for thousand of beginners and surf lovers. A pool of slow rolling waves curve around the coast forms the perfect wave. The North Side can get rocky and uncomfortable walking on coming our so be sure to keep your spot on the sand as a reference point. Surf with caution as there is normally a diverse group of newcomers and longterm surfers at this popular spot. The advantage though is that everyone is along for the wave and will lend a few tips out on the water.
*Pacific Beach has several beginner friendly spots. Aside from Tourmaline Park, beginners can find easier breaks to the left of the pier when facing it. This is a great place to learn on a foam board in the whitewash.
2. Silver Strand State Beach
Silver Strand is our go-to Southern San Diego surf spot. The shore comes close to 3 miles of ocean front beach to find the perfect spot to claim and the bonus is having the bay located on the eastern shoreline. You can access Silver Strand via highway 75 and the state park has a number of parking lots. Make sure you review the parks' information and hours here before visiting.
The waves at Silver Strand State Beach range consistently from 4-7 feet throughout the year. And while that might sound high to a newcomer, the waves are long breaking and therefore are a little gentler to learn on in comparison to other beaches. This makes it a perfect place to catch a "real wave" for even the newest surfer.
Silver Strand is always one of our favorite spots not just because of the waves, but also due to the convenient location. A morning surf can easily be followed by acai bowls, coffee, or picking up tacos for lunch afterwords.
3. La Jolla Shores
La Jolla Shores has all the amenities you can think of for a day at the beach making it a great spot for families. This beach has year round lifeguards, clean bathrooms with showers, and shops. There are also enough restaurants to keep you coming back to try that next place time and time again.
The waves at La Jolla are relatively predicable and are strong enough to give newcomers a little extra push to get started. Since hotels are oceanfront and some have private beaches, the surf crowds are typically smaller than some of your other San Diego favorites. Due to the easy breaking waves and its location, it is not uncommon in the summer to find a few surf camps and lessons along the beach here.
Parking here will be different than our other listed spots as you will have to find a free spot on the street. With the popularity of the area for not only surfing, but hiking, kayaking, snorkeling, shopping (and much more), certain times of year you may need to be prepared to carry your gear a few blocks. If you aren't deterred by a little exercise, we highly recommend taking the Ho Chi Minh Trail to access the beach.
San Diego is a great place to spend the day on the water and is always welcoming to those just learning. It'll be hard for you to paddle in at the end of your run, but remember you can continue the day with a picnic on the beach and picture perfect views. Enjoy the waves!
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* Always abide by local surf reports and surf with a buddy, swim at your own risk. And keep in mind the basic rules of etiquette when surfing:
-Right of Way
-Don't Drop In
-Don't Snake
-Don't Get in the Way
-The Furthest Out Gets Priority
-Do Not Throw Your Board
-Communicate What Will You Do
-Do Not Dive Head First
-Respect the Beach and the Ocean
-Give Respect to Gain Respect
If you are unsure of what one or any of these mean, we recommend surfing with an experienced friend or taking a lesson to gain understanding. Surfing can still be a dangerous sport to yourself and others if unaware or new to the sport. Have fun out there!
Very Cool, Can you recommend any places in Belize for beginners?