Orange County
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Positives
- Variety of spots
- Lots of clean waves
- Great weather
- Entertaining area
Negatives
- Very crowded
- Traffic
- Pollution
- Concrete jungle
Orange County surf travel guide
Orange County surf is a mixed bag, stuffed full of small-wave beachbreaks, catering to plenty of surfers living and working in the hub of the global surf industry. With warm temperatures and bikinied girls on the beach, Orange County can seem like the best place in the world at times, but it isn’t. On the global scale, the generally weak, mediocre line-ups are often marred by the slightest onshore breeze and rarely last more than four seconds from take-off to close-out.
Those big blue ‘n sunny Salt Creek barrel photos in the magazines are actually glorified close-outs; same with Newport and Huntington. It can get good, especially when a fickle-as-hell S-SW pulse arrives with zero wind, outshining the neighbouring counties thanks to its SW-facing aspect. Wintertime W swells do get in quite handily, but due NW tends to approach the coast lacking intensity, while N swells are a miss.
Jetties and piers play a major role from Seal Beach to Newport, which is all fairly consistent beachbreak. Surf size is never huge in Orange County unless you consider the Wedge, a freak of jetty engineering, yet there is generally something to ride every day, good or bad or somewhere between.
Surf spots in Orange County
Research the 29 surf breaks in Orange County and discover what spots suit the current conditions.
Break lowdown
We’ve collated the wave data giving you a unique insight into the 29 breaks in Orange County.
When to go
Surf and weather statistics to help plan your surf trip to Orange County
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Library
Helpful surf travel videos and articles featuring Orange County.
Travel Information
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Visas
Due to Covid there are special restrictions so it is essential to check the latest news before booking any trip. Normally most Europeans, Aussies, Kiwis and Japanese are part of the Visa waiver program so do not need a visa to enter the USA for up to 90 days, but they do need to apply for ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) which costs US$14.
https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta.
Other nationalities need to check as the rules are constantly being adjusted.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_policy_of_the_United_States
Getting There
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is one of the cheapest places worldwide to fly to. Shuttle vans take people downtown, 45mn away for around $15, which is half the cost of a taxi. LAX is not too far from El Segundo’s spots. Rent a car, drive freeway 405 south until you reach the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH). Connecting flights to John Wayne Airport take 25 min.
Getting Around
If you can’t rent a car, stay in one place. Rental cars start about $160/w but go as low as $50 for a local rent-a-wreck. You must be over 21 to rent. Gas is cheap (30¢/l). PCH traffic is intense at peak times. Los Angeles has built an impressive system of broad streets and avenues including freeways up to 14 lanes wide. They allow movement quickly across the vast metropolitan complex except during the main commuting hours (7/9 AM and 4/6 PM). Public transport sucks for a surfer with board.
Accommodation
This is the heart of coastal Southern California, so every kind of food and lodging is available, in all locations, for all budgets. A comfy double in a motel by the beach is $100-300 in Huntington Beach or Newport Beach. Laguna Beach hotels range $100-$160. Slightly cheaper places can be found in San Clemente. Youth Hostels cost $50 a night. Camp at Bolsa Chica or Newport Dunes Resort. Fast food and Mexican food is ubiquitous and cheap ($10/meal), restaurants can be pricey, especially those right on the beaches.
Activities
Great skate parks everywhere. Plenty of interesting surf and junk shops to browse. People-watching is fun. There’s Disneyland, if that's your thing. Also check Knott’s Berry Farm, Soak City and Wild River Water Park. Hollywood and LA's mean streets aren't far away.
Hazards & hassles
The best way to avoid fierce crowds is to surf the less-accessible spots. Park close to gated communities and walk. Watch out for metered parking (tickets are forwarded by car rental agencies). There are a few stingrays and sea urchins, but not many sharks. Watch out for murky waters after heavy rain – sewage and stormwater run-off is a big problem.
Handy Hints
Don’t bother with a big wave gun. Be ready to surf in crowds in subpar waves. A new retail shortboard costs ±$750, ($1000 for a longboard). Plenty of shops for gear – check Harbour, Katin, Jack’s, HSS, Frog House, Hobie or Thalia.
Due to global pandemic, Visas, Getting There, Getting Around or Accommodation information and pricing may have changed. Always check Government Travel Advice before travelling.