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There’s nothing like surfing in sunny Southern California.

The sand, the sea, the warmth and the legendary beaches make for an amazing surfing experience. For the most part, the regular Southern California surfers are a friendly and welcoming bunch as long as you practice a little etiquette. You’ll find surfers at almost every beach in the area, but these spots are some of the best.

See a map of All the Best Surfing Beaches in Southern California

Venice Beach

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Venice Beach is a classic place for the young (and young at heart) to hang out and surf. If you’re a novice, you can take lessons from the Venice Beach Surf School, which also offers equipment rentals year round. The waves here are perfect for beginners, but you’ll also find a quirky crowd of regulars.

Malibu Surfrider Beach

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This Malibu gem is called the Surfrider Beach for a reason. It’s where LA surfing culture was born, and it’s perfect for skilled surfers as well as those about to catch their first wave. The winds here are often ideal, and the point breaks are long and lazy.

Manhattan Beach

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Expect big waves and a moderate crowd at Manhattan County Beach, which is one of the best spots in the area for winter surfing.

Zuma Beach

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You’ll find Zuma Beach at the northern end of Malibu, stretching for two beautiful miles. The waves here are significant, so this beach is best for those who have surfed before. The crowd here is mainly locals with the occasional tourist.

Topanga Beach

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Topanga State Beach is located in the Santa Monica mountains, making the swells a little easier to drop into. This means it’s a great spot for adventurous novices and seasoned surfers alike. The conditions at the beach are actually ideal for surfers, and this means you might have to share the waves with a lot of other people.

Seal Beach

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Seal Beach is nestled in between Long Beach and Huntington Beach in Orange County. It offers a long, sandy strip that’s protected by jetties, making for some smooth surfing.

West Jetty View Beach, Newport Beach

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The Wedge is best known for its great bodyboarding wave conditions, and it’s a real roller coaster when it comes to surfing waves. The waves are often hollow and deep, easily breaking by the sand.

Hermosa Beach

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LA’s hippest beach is a wonderful place to surf. But be prepared, because the water temperature here can be surprisingly cold for it location. If you surf at Hermosa, consider wearing a wetsuit.

Ocean Beach Pier

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San Diego’s Ocean Beach is always crowded, but the surfers are usually friendly. The main beach break just north of the pier is for surfers only, so it’s a great place to practice if you’re new.

Happy surfing!