The perfect waves in California, where to go to surf the best waves in the United States, when and how to go, with which airline, to take your surfboard with you.
When you think of a surf trip, one of the first destinations that comes to mind is the States. In particular the California is a destination that combines the most famous beaches with the glamor of cities like Los Angeles and the history of San Diego.
Getting to California is very easy, often even with direct flights from the main airports to the international airports of Los Angeles, San Francisco or San Diego. If you want take the table with you, my advice is to contact the airlines directly to inform you about the costs and conditions of transport.
Once you arrive in California, choosing the spot to go out can be very difficult, given the huge amount of waves to surf. Starting from the north we find perhaps the most famous (and dangerous) wave of the West Coast, mentioned in various films and where a stage of the circuit of Big Waves. I'm talking about Maverick, in Half moon bay, near San Francisco.
Difficult wave not only for its power, up to 15 meters high, but also for the presence of the rocky seabed and the no less dangerous sharks.
Moving a few kilometers further south you arrive in Santa Cruz, here legend has it that the first surf wetsuits were seen, in the Years' 50. The best waves are a Steamer Line, while beginners can choose Cowell's.
A little further south of Santa Barbara meet the long Rincon waves, in Carpintera, chosen to train by the most famous riders in the world. In the vicinity of Los Angeles, on the other hand, you cannot miss a trip to Malibu and stew on the beautiful Surfrider Beach, where it is not difficult to meet Hollywood stars and athletes who live here in the water.
In the famous County of Orange County you can surf Trestles, in Huntington Beach, the wave on which the Californian stage of the World surf league, the World Surfing Championship. The southernmost wave in California could only be in San Diego, precisely in the area of Cardiff Beach, from which it takes its name. But it is not the only famous in the area, to find others just follow the locals, you will discover other spots such as Bird Rock and Oceanside.
After a good California surf session you will certainly be hungry. Local cuisine has undergone many Mexican and Asian influences, which can be alternated or replaced with classic American cuisine or the inevitable fast food. There is great talk about Californian wines, especially those produced in Napa Valley. If in addition to surfing you are planning to move to visit other California, the options are not lacking.
Starting from Yosemite National Park in the Sierra Nevada mountain range, you could be one of the 3,5 million people who visit the El Capitain precipice, the silhouette of the Half Dome and the Yosemite Falls, the great waterfalls. On the same mountain range, but further south, there is another national park, Sequoia National Park, where you can visit Mount Whitney, the highest in the United States and the Giant Sequoia, the largest tree on Earth, 84 meters. .
If you really can't stay away from the sea you can take a ride on the Big Sur, the 150 km long "coastal road" overlooking the sea that starts from the mouth of the Carmel River to that of San Carpoforo Creek, halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles. If in Sequoia National Park you can reach the highest peak in the States (excluding Alaska and Hawaii), in Death Valley you can visit the lowest point, 86 meters below sea level.
A trip to California cannot be defined as such if you do not visit Hollywood, the Studios and theaters, including the Dolby Theater in which the Oscar Night takes place. If you are in Southern California, the San Diego Zoo is definitely worth a visit. With its 4000 animals of more than 800 species it is one of the largest and most famous zoos in the world.
Every self-respecting surfer dreams of a surf trip to California, together with Hawaii home of this sport. Costs are significantly reduced compared to a few years ago, so the dream can come true. If you have already been there and want to share your experience or want more information do not hesitate to use the comments.
