Peach Travel Guide: Your Guide to Surfing Northern California

Embark on a surf journey along the rugged and beautiful Northern California coast, where the waves call out to surfers of all levels and the surf culture blooms year round. Whether you're learning to surf or you're a seasoned pro planning your next surf trip, Norcal has waves for tailored to every level. Don’t be fooled by the foggy and overcast days— pack your surf hat(sun protection is year-round!) as you chase breaks along the coast. 

Here's our roundup of a few of our favorite surf spots!

Beginner-Friendly Spots: Start Your Surf Journey

1. Bolinas Beach, Marin County

Gentle, forgiving wave; ideal for longboarders and first-timers. One of the most beginner-friendly breaks near SF, and my personal favorite surf spot! We love to have a morning surf, and grab a Hook Fish burrito or Sol food bistec sandwich after. Don’t forget to reapply sunscreen and keep your surf hat on for extra sun protection!

2. Linda Mar Beach, Pacifica

Close to the city, with mellow beginner friendly waves (sometimes). Its a 30 min drive from SF and you can rent a board and wetsuit at the NorCal surf shop right on the beach, and grab a lesson too! Stick to the south end of the beach and work your way up to the north end if you want a heavier/more challenging wave. Heads up - it can get super crowded, especially on the weekends, so remember to brush up on your surf etiquette to ensure everyone’s safe and has a great time.

3. The Hook, Santa Cruz

Tucked along Pleasure Point, The Hook is a beautiful right-hand point break with mellow, rolling waves that are perfect for beginners and longboarders. At the entrance of the cove, there's a nice little spot for shortboarders too.

It’s scenic, social, and one of those classic Santa Cruz spots where you can work on reading waves and improving your timing. That said — it gets crowded, and locals can be territorial, so paddle out with respect and patience, or you'll get yelled at by a grumpy local. Has happened to me more than once! But we chalk it up to being part of the Santa Cruz charm. Just keep an eye out for seaweed tangles (your board will thank you).

4. Jack's, Santa Cruz

Jack’s is a soft, forgiving wave that’s perfect for building confidence and working on your pop-up. It sits between Pleasure Point and The Hook, so you’ll catch smaller, slower peelers — great for longboarders or beginners wanting mellow practice days.

Bonus: if you’re wearing a bright Peach Surf Hat, it’s super easy to spot yourself later on the Surfline cams.

5. Cowell's Beach, Santa Cruz

Cowell’s Beach is the beginner-friendly surf spot in Santa Cruz. It's a long, gentle right that breaks next to the Wharf and Steamer Lane. The paddle is easy, the waves are slow and rolling, the vibe is generally friendly, especially in the mornings. 

It’s the perfect place to learn to surf or get in a mellow session when the Lane is firing and you just want fun, cruisy lines. Bring your longboard, your patience (it gets crowded), and a surf hat — the reflections off the Wharf can sneak up on your skin fast.

6. Princeton Jetty, Half Moon Bay

Princeton Jetty offers smaller, more manageable waves, perfect for beginners and progressing surfers. When the swell’s moderate, it’s a fun, forgiving beach break with consistent peaks and plenty of room to practice. Not always consistent, but it's a 15 minute drive from Linda Mar, and I come here when Linda Mar is too packed. 

Intermediate/Advanced Spots: Work on Your Surf Style + Test Your Limits

1. Pleasure Point, Santa Cruz

Iconic spots with multiple peaks. Good for experimenting with both longboards and shortboards but just be mindful of etiquette here as people can get prickly!

2. Steamer Lane, Santa Cruz

Iconic and Challenging: A step up in difficulty, Steamer Lane offers more challenging waves. It's a great place for intermediate surfers to push their limits and advance their skills.

3. Ocean Beach, San Francisco

The City’s Surf Challenge: With powerful waves and strong currents, Ocean Beach is a spot for experienced surfers seeking an exhilarating ride. It's a perfect place to test your advanced surfing skills against the backdrop of San Francisco. Drive along highway 1 to scope out a spot- our personal favorite is staying up at North Ocean Beach! We use the windmills as a reference point as the current is strong and you can end up drifting super far from your original paddle out spot.

4. Fort Point, San Francisco

Surf Beneath the Golden Gate! Offering a strong left break, Fort Point is for skilled surfers who can navigate challenging currents and a rocky seabed. Surfing under the Golden Gate Bridge is an experience like no other, but this spot is notoriously territorial, so paddle out at your own risk!

5. Montara, San Mateo County

Montara is a powerful, open-beach break just south of Pacifica that serves up punchy, fast waves when conditions line up. Best for intermediate surfers comfortable with stronger currents and shifting peaks. Beautiful beach to check out with dramatic cliffs even if you don't surf. Heads up, can get a little sharky!

Conclusion

Northern California has a little bit of everything. These are a few of our go-tos, there are so many more fun waves to be had tucked away along the coast— more on those soon. Pack your surf hat, soak up the special Norcal vibes, enjoy the coast. Happy surfing! 🏄🌊🧢