Beginner's Guide to Surfing NorCal

🎬 How to get started

Gain knowledge: If you’re going out for the first time, and you’re not getting a surf lesson, it’s an extremely good idea to watch a few how-to videos on surfing. I recommend these ones:

• How to surf for beginners (10 min)

• Improving your pop-up (4 min)

❗️Need to know

• Required before starting: Be able to swim

• Equipment needed: 8-9ft+ foam surfboard with leash, 4/3mm wetsuit

• Approximate cost: $40-45 per day for rentals

• Water temp: The water is COLD. It’s the coldest from December to May, starts warming up in June, and the warmest (still not that warm) from July - November. If you can’t stand numbing cold, it’s best to go in the summer or on a super sunny day with no wind.

• Don’t give up: Surfing can be frustrating, but the ocean rewards perseverance. Learning a new sport, especially surfing, takes time.

• Have fun! Remember, the best surfer out there is the one having the most fun!

⏱ When to go

Always check the conditions before you go surfing. Most surfers use the surf forecast apps Surfline.

Using surf forecasting apps:

Surf forecasting is beyond the scope of this guide. I’d encourage you to do a Google or Youtube search to learn more, or even better, bug your VP of Surf to do a surf forecasting 101 event. However, a few tips to get started.

• Swell: For beginners, it’s best to go when the waves are small (1-2ft)

• Wind: Strong winds make surf choppy, often ruins the shape of the wave, and makes it colder. A good rule of thumb is that wind under 7kts is fine. Anything more, then it might be questionable. Once it gets into the teens, you should reconsider going out.

• Surf Cam: Surfline often has surf cams at popular surf spots, but you’ll have to pay for the feature. You can look at a live video feed of how the surf is. If you see some people in the water, that’s a sign that it’s probably surfable.

Call your local surf shop:

Another option is to call your local surf shop and ask about the conditions. They’re almost always friendly. Just tell them you’re new to this, and ask if it’s a good day to go out for beginners.

An fun day in Pleasure Point, Santa Cruz

🏝 Where to go

The beaches below are great for beginners to get started. When exploring a new spot, it can be helpful to find a nearby surf shop to rent gear from, get tips about the surf break, and get lessons if desired.

1. Pacifica State Beach

📍 Google Maps pin

Travel time: 35-45 minute drive from Berkeley (East)

Local surf shop: NorCal Surf Shop

• Rent gear from this friendly shop

• You can walk to the beach from the shop

• They offer lessons if desired

Cost:

• Full Day Rental: $22.5 surfboard + $18 wetsuit = $40.50

• Half Day Rental (Start 1pm, return by 5pm): $17 + $13 = $30

Parking

• Option 1: You can park at the beach but you’ll need to pay

• Option 2: After entering the plaza where NorCal Surf Shop is, there is free parking on the right hand side (facing the beach) of the lot. Beware thought, in the summers and on good days, it can fill up pretty quickly

2. Cowell’s Beach (Santa Cruz)

📍 Google Maps pin

Travel time: 1 hour 45 minute drive from Berkeley (South)

Local surf shop: Cowell’s Beach Surf Shop

Cost: $30 surfboard + $15 wetsuit = $45

Parking

• Parking in Santa Cruz near the Boardwalk isn’t fun. Mostly likely, you’ll have to park at a metered spot on the street or park in a paid lot in front of the Boardwalk.

Things to know about Cowell’s

Cowell’s only has waves on a “bigger day.” That is, the waves will be bigger at other spots but just the right size for beginners. Otherwise, there will not be any waves at Cowell’s (aka “flat”).

3. Bolinas Beach

📍 Google Maps pin

Travel time: 1 hour 30 minute drive from Berkeley (North)

Local surf shop: Bolinas Surf Shop

• Rent gear from this shop

Surf schools:

• Bolinas Surf Lessons

• Pacific Coast Surf Lessons

Parking

• Free street parking

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🙋 FAQ

Should I take lessons?

If you can afford it, a lesson can be really helpful to help you learn what it feels like to stand up on a wave.

It’s too cold here. Is there somewhere else I can go to learn how to surf?

Yes! SoCal, especially San Diego, is much warmer. You’ll still need a wetsuit though. So, Hawaii is even better. Oahu is amazing for beginners with their gentle waves, warm water, and beautiful sights.

I’m hooked! What do I do now?

• Buy your own board, wetsuit, and surf racks (if your car can’t fit the board inside). That way, you can go out whenever you want and don’t have to wait for surf shops to open. If you go enough times, it’s totally worth it.

  • Recommended board: Gerry Lopez surfboard or Wavestorm surfboard from Costco in Santa Cruz (~$100) are great for beginners

  • Recommended wetsuit shop: Rip Curl outlet in Santa Cruz. Great deals.

  • Recommended roof racks: Single rack, Double rack

• Find a buddy to go with. Surfing is more fun with people!

• Watch how to surf videos on Youtube.

• Keep getting out there! Learning to surf just takes time, but anyone can do it. I believe in you!