LA is home to several of America’s most beautiful beaches. It’s also where the southern Californian surfing culture was born. It’s a high-energy place full of different cultures, fashions, and languages all brought together by a wonderful combination of sand, sun, and sea.
If you’re a surfer planning your next trip to LA or just someone curious about the surfing culture, why not take a trip down to its amazing beaches? You can get in touch with a van rental in Los Angeles and refer to this guide to help you find the best surfing spots.
Here are some must-visit beaches every pro and amateur surfer should check out.
Malibu
Malibu is commonly known for its celebrity residents. But to surfers, it’s home to one of the most amazing point breaks in the country. The beaches at Malibu provide amazing ground swells as the blue water rolls deep into underwater canyons.
Most surfers in this area like to frequent Surf Rider Beach, which is situated along the Pacific Coast Highway. This particular beach is known as the epicenter of LA surfing culture, with some even claiming it as its actual birthplace.
One thing that’s great about Malibu is its climate. The winds in this area are slow and lazy, giving surfers an amazing opportunity to get good longboard, right-hand, and remoter waves. This is the perfect area to visit if you want to improve your surfing. Once you conquer all these waves, you can truly say you’ve got the sport down pat.
Malibu is also home to beaches such as Manhattan Beach, which runs for two miles from Hermosa to El Segundo. This length of the ocean is completely surfable, with different peaks for surfers of different levels.
Hermosa Beach
Speaking of which, Hermosa Beach is situated in the middle of 33rd St and Hermosa Ave. The beach welcomes swells of medium to head height that are mostly gentle when they break and very slow-rolling.
Sometimes, it does see high swells with occasional barrels. So, if you want to practice for competitions for improving your game, this may be the spot for you.
The water here is also a little chillier than most Southern California beaches. So, if you want to take your board out, wear a wetsuit to keep you warm.
Santa Monica
Santa Monica is one of the few smaller cities in LA. It’s located downtown where the iconic Pacific Park and Santa Monica pier rest. It’s also the perfect beach for beginner surfers because the waves are constant and easy to handle. They also come from groundswells from the beach break’s sides. You should note that the southern side of Santa Monica Beach also has several sandbar peaks, so look out for them. If you want a beach that gives more challenging waves, you may consider going to Bay St, another popular surfing spot since the 1960s.
Venice Beach
Some people associate Venice beach with the grunge and rock scene in the 20th century. However, as time has passed, it has slowly become a place for surfers to catch a good wave.
The waves in this area are hollow and can come up close to the surface very steeply without warning. This makes it the perfect spot for surfers who want more of a challenge.
The breakwater in this area accumulates because of the rocks and sand on the ocean floor. These sharp waves are great for surfers who want to master five-fin shortboard moves. However, be careful when surfing in these waters, as the sharp waves may break your board if you’re not careful.
Beginners should just stick to the mellow shores and take advantage of the many surfing instructors and rental shops alongside the beach. The sights in this area are also top-tier. So, once you’ve conquered the powerful waves, take a stroll on the famous Venice boardwalk and soak in the beautiful atmosphere.
Ready Those Surfboards
LA is home to beautiful beaches, and surfers come to this area to take advantage of the great waves and swells. There is a beach here for every kind of surfer, whether you’re a beginner or a pro.
Note that a good surfing experience is also safe. Some of these beaches should only be conquered by surfers who have more experience, as the swells can get gnarly. By knowing which beach to go to, every stop you make should be worthwhile. Don’t forget to drench yourself in LA’s lively surf culture. It’s definitely the stuff of memories and souvenirs. Here’s to good waves.