Surfing and camping in California

Camping in California only goes with the surf. How else could most surfers afford a weekend in Big Sur? I know I can’t afford a spa. I have camped many times in places where I could surf. Although there weren’t always waves, there was always a fire and some hot dogs.

As with any planned vacation, it can be difficult to coordinate a swell with reserving a spot. When I finally know there is decent surf on the way, many spots are already booked. Despite this, windows of opportunity appeared and we got a campsite even after being informed by computer/phone/internet/signs that the place was full. It’s often worth taking the risk to do so and hope something is available. Just make sure you have a backup plan, like another nearby campground that will surely have spots. So far, we haven’t had to pay for one of those expensive hotel rooms in Bodega Bay.

We always try to pack light, as light as possible when loading kids gear, camping stuff, and of course a surfboard. There seems to be a lot of space in a vehicle until you start filling it up with your junk. We used to have a 1982 VW camper that we kept pre-packed most of the time. It was good for weekend trips. We would stop and open the top. It even had a sink, stove, and refrigerator, although we rarely used them, preferring to cook outside. His main problem was that he was an old and slow Diesel. VW love vans from the 60’s flew past us on Highway 1. We used a LOT of detours. It was great once we got there, but next time I’d buy the gas version without the stove and sink inside. It is faster and has more space. Where to go? The big question always depends on the swell, the wind and the availability of the site. These are some of the places I’ve gone camping and surfing. Most have really nice sites near or right on the beach.

Humboldt County

My wife and I left our tent in Trinidad due to rain, so we rented a cheap cabin at Emerald Forest Campground. It was rustic with a wooden bed, chair and small heater, perfect for rainy conditions and simple enough for us to wear our gear and feel like we were camping.

Along the way north to one of the beaches, I noticed some crystal clear waves crashing a mile away at a beach that turned out to be Dry Lagoon. Even though it was cloudy the waves were crystal clear, head up and fun. I guess I caught it on a rare day that it didn’t turn off.

north county

My wife and I also went to Crescent City, somewhat financially depressed. It reminds me of my hometown of Pacifica, except houses are four times as expensive back home. But Crescent City has potential, surrounded by ocean and redwoods. I surfed South Beach with a crosswind, and it was kind of fun despite being sloppy.

sonoma county

Bodega Bay is the premier surf spot in Sonoma County, and Doran Beach is the most convenient campground, located right across from the beach. We have stayed there many times and it is hard to beat for comfort. I just walk across the street to the beach and paddle out. Just make sure the tide is in and there’s enough swell to reach this south-facing beach. Close by is Salmon Creek which can be fun when it’s not blown up or big and out of control. If you’re going with family, I’d go with Doran Beach.

Marin County

We stay at Olema Camp, about 25 minutes from Drakes Beach in Point Reyes. The campground is a grassy meadow with a few trees, and the beach is something like Doran Beach: sheltered, easy to paddle, and light sandbars. Surfed it a couple of times almost completely solo with very fun, sunny, fast and somewhat short tides. A couple of other times I made the long trip for nothing. I got pretty close to the estuary at one point and decided to leave due to the potential for sharks. A northwesterly wind was strong offshore off the parking lot, which is at the end of the “wind funnel” valley. You can also drive to Bolinas… Oh, I forgot, no one is supposed to know where Bolinas is. If you can find it, say, with MapQuest or something, you can navigate to this place. It is generally cleaner and busier than other places. If you want really smooth slow rollers that are good for a longboard, walk to the beach, turn right, past the smell of burning hemp, and you’re there.

Santa Cruz County

Here we stay on the beach in New Brighton. It is a nice campsite with access to all the surfing in the city. We also stayed at Sunset Beach, also very nice with a huge beach. It’s fifty miles across from Monterey Bay with several surf breaks. I caught it in a couple of windless days offshore. It is not fun if there is wind or too much swell. There is also an RV park near the beach, but we felt a little silly staying there in our little VW truck next to all the huge RVs. The lady who stayed in her Honda Element made us feel right at home.

Monterey County

Here we stay at a camp in the foothills about five miles inland. We drove to Spanish Bay on an amazing day – perfectly shaped ten foot waves. It was fun until the grizzled and burly longboarding team showed up. They pretty much dominated after that, and I broke a strap. I also had some great surfing at Carmel beach. This place looks like Hawaii, only with cold water. Pearly white sand covers both Spanish Bay and Carmel Beach.

I’ve also had a fun few days at Andrew Molera. The walk to the mouth of the river is about a mile! A couple of times he was around 4ft and clean and skinned pretty good all good. A few other times I dragged the wife and kids to the windy spot and we watched small waves crashing for a few minutes before making the LONG walk back. I wouldn’t do the hike unless I know there is a southwest swell or a decent sized west to northwest swell.

A good place to stay is Camp Ventana with its beautiful redwood forest sites. But there are several options nearby. If you stay further south at Plaskett Creek, you can surf at Sand Dollar Beach across the street and walk down the bluff for a bit. It has beautiful water, but the little rocky shoreline isn’t much fun for the family. Some young women next to our camp asked if we were there to pick up Jade. I guess that’s something else you can do there if you’re into that sort of thing. Willow Creek is another good place nearby. It had some really nice waves that were way over head when we were there.

San Luis Obispo County

Morro Strand State Beach is a beach camp near Morro Rock. Woke up to closing low tide when we visited but found some surf near Montana De Oro State Park. I don’t know exactly where I came in on the path to the beach from the road. I just stopped when I saw the surfboard racks in the cars. Ten minutes through the trees and voila, surf!