Surfing North County San Diego starts at Torrey Pines State Beach which is located just slightly north of Blacks beach and extends 45 miles North technically as far as Trestles just South of Orange County.
Wether you are a new surfer looking for beginner waves or a seasoned hard core salt looking for world class waves, North San Diego has it all. Our journey today begins at Blacks beach and continues up the coast until we land at the famous surfing spot Swami’s located in the renowned surfing town of Encinitas.
- Blacks Beach
Blacks beach is known for fast breaking powerful hollow waves up to 20’ and is primarily a winter spot for advanced surfers with a higher skill level. Waves break over a sandy bottom and for this reason can be shifty and at times unpredictable. One wave can be a perfectly shaped peeler and the next a fast breaking close out.
Getting to Blacks requires a long hike down a steep cliff. Most surfers park at the Torrey Pines glider port and hike down from there.
If you decide to give Blacks a go, bring your own water because there are no bathrooms or drinking facilities. Blacks beach surfing locals in the know use Alicia Keys, luxurious La Jolla farms “beach house” as a wave lineup.
2. Torrey Pines State Beach
Torrey Pines State Beach is a fantastic wave for beginners to advanced surfers. Though this beach break works year round it’s best in the spring and fall months. Torrey Pines is a great place to get some waves by yourself as it’s very seldom crowded. Some of the more consistent waves are found on the North end in front of the Torrey Pines Bridge.
Torrey Pines offers extremely easy access both paid parking and free parking along the highway. Plenty of bathrooms, water faucets and lifeguards on duty in the summer time. The best part, you can surf in the morning and then after dry off with a nice hike up the mountain and back. Very family friendly.
3. 15th Street Del Mar
Located in the heart of swanky Del Mar 15th Street is a perfect wave for surfers of all levels and breaks consistently well all year long. 15th Street is a reef break and offers superb easy rolling right and left breaking waves. Though it can get crowded there are always enough good waves for everyone.
There is plenty of parking and a nearby parking lot but take note, in the summer time parking can get scarce. There are bathrooms and freshwater showers to rinse off after surfing or swimming. Shops and eateries of all kinds are conveniently located within walking distance.
4. Del Mar River Mouth
On the North border of Del Mar is the Del Mar river mouth or “Dog Beach” as most locals refer to it. The official name is Del Mar North Beach although no one ever calls it that. Del Mar river mouth is largely uncrowded and offers long rides both left and rights for surfers of all abilities.
Though the waves are good the crowds are kept down due to lack of parking. Only pay parking is available in the surrounding area and many times especially during summer months and weekends even paid parking can be difficult to find. Though there are no bathroom facilities there are portable toilets available for public use.
5. Willis Reef
Positioned just up from Del Mar River Mouth in beautiful Solana Beach is one of the best surfing waves in all San Diego, Willis Reef named after the first person to surf there back in the early 50’s Milton Willis senior. Willis reef a.k.a. Del Mar Shores or Rock Piles is a fantastic wave for surfers of all abilities and can break from 1’ to 20’ year round. Willis Reef breaks equally well in the summer as it does in the winter. Before Willis Reef was primarily known as a secret spot, today it does get crowded.
Willis Reef is located directly in front of Del Mar Shores condominiums and offers plenty of parking on the street and multiple free parking lots close by. There are no restrooms or showers available. There are lifeguards in the summertime and there is a nearby convenience store across the street. Willis Reef can be a bit of a trek through a cement path between the condos and down some stairs but it’s well worth it.
6. Table Tops
At the North end of Solana Beach is Table Tops officially known as Tide Beach Park a finicky surfing waves that rarely gets perfect but when it does it does. Table top is a long paddle out over a rocky reef and offers both rights and lefts although it’s the left that breaks world class when on! Though not overly powerful Table Tops is best for intermediate to advanced surfing levels.
Access to Table Tops is easiest from Cardiff State Beach although it can be accessed from Solana Beach just up the street from Roberto’s taco stand. A freshwater shower is located a few steps up the stairs other amenities are not available. Due to its slightly out of the way location Table Tops remains somewhat uncrowded year round except on the best days.
7. Seaside Reef
Known as the spawning grounds for pro surfers Seaside Reef or officially South Cardiff State Beach breaks year round but is best in the winter. The outside wave breaks over a shallow reef and can get really steep on the right tides. Primarily a long reeling left Seaside Reef does offer a shorter right and has a popping inside beach break called Palisades. Big Wave Champions the Willis Brothers whose story can be read in 100 Foot Wave the official book surfed here regularly as youths. Currently pro surfer Rob Machado despite being in his 50’s still surfs here regularly.
Seaside Reef is positioned directly in front of a huge pay parking lot offers plenty of parking spaces, bathrooms, a freshwater shower and drinking water. If you decide to surf here be prepared to compete with a bunch of 12 to 15 year olds who froth for waves and have been surfing here regularly since they were 2.
8. Cardiff Reef
One of the best waves for Surfing in San Diego is Cardiff Reef or officially Cardiff State Beach. Cardiff Reef is perfect for beginner, intermediate and advanced surfers. The outside generally offers two distinct peaks, South Peak and Suck Outs. The South peak is preferred by long-boarders while Suck Outs is favored by those who want to shred. Beginning surfers can take advantage of the inside waves which offer smooth long white water waves. The Willis Brothers Milton and Michael record holders for the world’s largest waves surf Cardiff Reef regularly
Cardiff Reef has a small pay parking lot and when the swell is pumping parking can be difficult. There is free parking along the highway next to Cardiff Reef but these spots go early especially on good days and weekends. There is a freshwater shower and plenty of clean bathrooms. Cardiff Reef is an excellent family beach.
9. Pipes
Pipes located in Encinitas just in front of the Cardiff Camp grounds offers ideal friendly waves for beginners and intermediate surfers alike. Strictly reef break Pipes is the perfect wave new surfers to learn on and hone their surfing skills. The crowd usually consists of older surfers both men and women as well as younger girls who prefer the softer breaking waves associated with Pipes. Pipes isn’t a surfing break per se but rather a series of surfing spots i.e. Turtles, Traps, 85/60, Tippers Traps and more.
Best is to rent a camp space ahead of time especially if you’re coming from far away. There is pay parking along the top of the bluff. Free parking along both sides of the highway go fast especially during good swells and weekends. Facilities including showers and bathrooms in the camp ground are also available to the public.
10. Swami’s
Absolutely the most famous surfing break in San Diego North County has to be Swami’s a perfect right hand reef point break. Swami’s has long been regarded as the premier spot to go to especially when the waves are up! The smaller days at Swami’s are perfect for beginning and intermediate surfers. As the surf gets bigger it’s more comfortable for intermediate and advanced surfers. Every surfer should paddle out at this sacred surfing spot at least once.
Swami’s does have parking at the top off the bluff, an old brick bathroom for guys and gals that really needs updating and a single shower down at the bottom of the stairs. For the curious Swami’s has approximately 145 steps! There is plenty of free parking along the highway and the parallel road behind the highway but during a pumping swell parking can be difficult to get.
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Question: What’s your favorite North County surfing spot and why ?
