Skip to content

San Diego has the warmest water and several of the best surfing breaks on the California Coast. From the pier in Imperial Beach to the pier in Oceanside there are diverse breaks that can be surfed year-round. The city of San Diego has some of the finest surf spots and also has two piers where curious folks can get close to the lineup and watch (Ocean Beach and Pacific Beach).

Board rentals are available at the most popular beaches and in the cities near most of these beaches. Surf schools offer surfing lessens at the beaches with beginner breaks – all surfers have to start somewhere. If you are visiting the San Diego area and want to surf while you are there, you’ll have many beaches to choose from.

Here is our list of the top 15 surfing beaches in the San Diego area.

Ocean Beach, San Diego (has a pier)

Mission Beach, San Diego

Pacific Beach, San Diego (has a pier)

Tourmaline Surfing Park, San Diego

Silver Strand State Beach, Coronado

Imperial Beach Pier, Imperial Beach (has a pier)

Windansea, La Jolla

La Jolla Shores, La Jolla

Scripps Pier, La Jolla (pier not open to public)

Blacks Beach, La Jolla

Del Mar City Beach, Del Mar

Beacon’sEncinitas

Grandview, Encinitas

Oceanside Pier, Oceanside (has a pier)

Cardiff Reef between Seaside Beach and Tide Beach Park, Solana Beach