Salt Creek, Dana Point

Salt Creek, probably the most toured beach around. The city of Dana Point charges people to park their cars in the parking lot in which it is capable of fitting hundreds and hundreds of cars. Along with that comes hundreds and hundreds of people swimming, surfing and bodyboarding out in the water. This is not one of the best waves around but during the correct swell with the correct wind direction, it can still be very good. The waves are very peaky, and you are capable of surfing, swimming or bodyboarding anywhere along the beach. When we are not having a good or big swell in the area this is the best beach to go to. When I go surfing here I make sure to wake up around 6 am and be in the water by 7 am. I do this because not many people show up that early, therefore, you are capable of surfing by yourself or whoever you go with.

Doheny State Beach, Dana Point

Doheny is the best beach around to kick off your surfing career. This beach is located directly next to Dana point harbor. That being said, since it is near the harbor it is harder for this beach to get swell. That is what makes it a great place to learn how to surf. The waves break out far, but the waves do not get bigger that 4 feet, unless there is a hurricane swell. This beach also has a sewage spill that runs into the water during rain or high surf. But, this makes this beach one of the most polluted around, especially during a rain storm. You are also capable of camping at this beach, which have grills and fire pits which makes it a great for families or large groups of people wanting to camp down by the beach. Finally, this beach has one more amazing feature, on the 4th of July a big ship about 5 football fields out shoots fireworks for the whole town to watch right on the beach.

San Clemente Pier, San Clemente

The Pier has many attractions that lure many tourists or just people around the area. First of all this Pier has a restaurant called Fisherman’s Wharf that has great seafood and American food. Along with that many people like to just walk on the Pier to watch the waves and surfers/swimmers/bodyboarders in the water. At the end of the Pier, there is a shop where you can buy things such as seashells and ice cream. Also at the end of the Pier lots of people fish and usually catch fish from what I have seen. The lifeguards make specific spots where you can surf or swim. On the north side of the pier is where all the surfing is done and the south side is where all the swimming is done. Along with all of these attractions, the train stops right on this beach, so people visiting or riding the train can easily see all of this beach’s beauty and all of the attractions.

Victoria, Laguna Beach

Victoria is a beach that has many different things to view. Anything from crazy shore breaking waves to castles to natural pools of water. This is a sand bottom beach that tends to always break the same. During the summer the sand fills in and covers most of the rocks in front of the houses on the beach, but during the winter the sand tends to fall away exposing the rocks more. When the rocks are more exposed this wave experiences more of a backwash wave (where the two waves collide). Although this is not an easily accessible beach, its beauty attracts the people around along with many tourists that are seeking to see this beaches elegance. Not only is this beach located in the most toured spot in Orange County, but it is also is this cities most popular beach out of them all. Along with the beautiful beaches, the city of Laguna Beach is super safe and cultured differently than anywhere else around.

The Wedge, Newport Beach

The Wedge is one of the heaviest breaks in Southern California. This beach runs along a jetty, in which the swell bounces off the rocks forming a perfect side wave that connects to one of the biggest peaks around. Although this beach does produce some of the best shore break waves around, it comes with consequences. This break is notorious for many spinal injuries due to the shallow water it breaks upon. On big swells, the beach is packed with tourists or photographers watching with close eyes and documenting every frame. Videos are posted all over the internet when this beach is expecting a heavy swell. Professional surfers from all around the world can be found at this beach when the waves reach their peak potential. The break attracts people all around the world to encounter the rush of the drop. Newport also lures tourists due to the fact that it sits on a peninsula, where you can view an expansive landscape.

Lowers Trestles, San Clemente

Lowers, one of the most prestigious waves in the world. This break is apart of the WSL (World Surfing League), in which the top 34 surfers from all around the world compete in 11 competitions in the best surf spots around the world. Surfing this break is like waiting in a line at Disney Land. While out in the lineup, do not be surprised if an up and coming professional surfer is in the water, or even a current professional surfer. I have experienced this break in the best conditions and even the worst. The best conditions consist of a South or Southwest swell with 6-10 foot surf. The ideal wind direction is East or NorthEast along with a medium-low to medium-high tide. When out in these conditions, as a surfer, you are satisfied if you catch 2-4 waves a session. Overall, this break is one of my favorites and is also only 15 minutes away from home.

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