Half Moon Bay Local Surfing Guide

Surfing in San Mateo Coasts

Half Moon Bay is home to Mavericks, but 99.999% of local surfers won't or can't go there. The Mavericks is really for the top notch experts who have been training to surf the big waves practically for their entire life. Then there are rest of us, the recreational surfers.

San Mateo coast area consists mainly of sandy beaches. That means that you will be surfing mainly on beach breaks. They are usually shifty and so where the next break occurs will move. We also have to be continuously in tune with local tide and wind conditions. If you are a brand new beginner, you will most likely find San Mateo beaches to be a bit challenging, so I suggest you skip the beaches and head down to Cowells beach in Santa Cruz.

Car Vandalism: In the recent years, many cars have been vandalized and their contents stolen. A typical method involve finding a hidden key, open the car, quietly and courteously stealing valuables, then locking up the car, and putting back the key where it was found. Recently, though, more bold approach has been made by finding a key, moving a car away to a "safe" location where the thieves can take time finding valuables in your car, or simply breaking the window and getting in.

Please help reduce these crimes by:

•  Taking your car keys with you. Either make a necklace with a key or put the key in your wetsuit's key pocket.
•  Use and Activate the car alarm.
•  Put all would-be valuable items in your trunk or out of sight.
•  If you can do so, take only a minimum of valuables (just license, a few bucks of cash)
•  Report any suspicious activities to Montara or Half Moon Bay Police or when you are out of these jurisdictions, contact the San Mateo County Sheriff. Also report to us so that we can send out all-coast bulletin about specific issues.

Half Moon Bay Area

Due to the interesting city line layout, the North of the highway 1 is the town of El Granada, but you will be surfing "officially" in the city of HMB. From this point there are half dozen Half Moon Bay State Beach system spots you can visit. As for surfing, this is probably the most popular around here.

The beach at the point near the Jetty is almost completely South facing so it is more sheltered from swells coming from the north, as a result this location tends to catch waves coming from the South and South West, or large NW wrapping around. It works usually better in winter to spring (if there are swells of course) or on a moderate South swells in the summer. The entire beach here is well protected from N/NW winds and even when Linda Mar and Montara are completely blown out by the spring/summer thermal blows this spot can be completely calm, or even go side to offshore wind condition!

Good place for a starter surfer especially in the spring or summer when the South power brings gentle 3-4 ft swells. Watch out for the rocks toward the north (actually the North Western) end near the jetty.  Can get very crowded on weekends especially when the weather is hot and nice. Good people surf toward the jetty side (and novices should stay away, it can be dangerous and also very competitive). Get there before 10:30 a.m. for the best parking spot after that, non-surfers will start showing up for sun bathing etc.

The RV area has a day-use $5.00/day lot with a fresh water shower (does not work very well). Most surfers do not bother, but park along North bound side of Hwy 1, or a dirt lot.

Experts are usually towards the NW side (closer to Rockaway) and beginners surf towards the SE end (near the houses). Even when the conditions are really big in the winter, the SE side is usually surfable. Often there is a moderate amount of side-way current going, so watch your location relative to the buildings on the shore. Paddle in and walk back if necessary.

Complete with a paved parking lots, fresh water showers and rest rooms, and the world's most beautiful Taco Bell is also near by to feed you after your sessions. Across from the beach at the Linda Mar shopping center are several other eateries and coffee joints. Make you whole surf day with a lunch break.

Rentals are available from Sonlight and NorCAL surf shops which are both within a walking distance from the beach.

The Pedro Point Surfing Club: Many great links to other local web sites, including information on local instructors and photos. They also broadcast a show called Breakers on local access cable channels around the coast and in Santa Cruz.

EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SPOT!

Just next to The Outrigger Restaurant (used to be the Chart House) is another paved parking area. Under the local GGNRA park regulations, you are supposed to be able to park in the restaurant lot until 5:00 pm.

Minimum facilities, but there are portable toilets at the South End.

Several Dangerous Situations Exists At This Location!

Watch out for dangerous "shore breaks" that happen right at the shore, that can be very powerful and knock you (and your board) off during entry and exit from water. Breaks are usually big, fast and strong and especially look smaller than what you think due to the height and the distance of the cliffs. Low tides + close outs will also will pounce you and can break your board (if you are lucky) or injure yourselves. And if you made back all safe to your car, it might have been vandalized, especially in the summer. Lock your car and take the key with you.

We really need to preserve and enjoy this immensely beautiful location. For more information and news, please visit The Montara Beach Coalition

• Martin's Beach: Privately run beach, an entrance fee is collected.
• Tunitas Creen Beach is very hard to get to and famous for a man eating fish.
  
• Pomponio State Beach is hardly good, but once in a while some epic conditions do occur.
• Pescadero State Beaches are summer spots for the locals on "nothing else" days.
• Waddell Creek: Wind and Kite surfers rule when winds are high, surfers rule if no winds. The beach is supported on a rock reef, so you get fairly consistent break points.
• Scott's Creek: May need to mingle with Kite surfers here.
• There are many other secret or sensitive spots that are not visible clearly from the highway. Now it is up to you to find those out as your surfing skill level will be able to meet some of the challenges.

But, please note: Due to wide open nature of the beaches most South San Mateo county areas can often be dangerous with several drowning accidents every year and also more frequent shark attacks in the past 20 years or so. The Surf Line travel section will tell you where and when these attacks had occurred. Rip currents are also one of the very important factor in considering surfing. If your paddling and swimming is not good, it is best to avoid getting in the water here.

Santa Cruz Area