Beyond San Simeon’s Highway 1’s well-known surf spots lies a coastline that feels like it’s been waiting just for you. From Big Sur’s southern swells to the hidden breaks near Ragged Point, peeling waves tuck into pristine coves, ready to reward those willing to explore. This is surfing as nature intended – unbridled, uncrowded, and wonderfully wild.
Spring brings the best swells along Central Coast surfing spots, but also the coast’s changing moods: sunny California days can quickly shift to misty marine layers. For beginners starting their Highway 1 surfing journey or experienced riders alike, pack that 4/3 wetsuit as your essential companion, and don’t forget the booties and hood – these chilly waters demand respect year-round.
Nature keeps things interesting here. Hidden rocks emerge with the tides, powerful swells command attention, and the elephant seals around Piedras Blancas? They’re permanent locals who take their territory seriously (and attract Great White sharks to these waters). Give them plenty of space, especially near their rookery.
But don’t let that stop you. Load up your board (local surf shops near San Simeon can gear you up), bring your sense of adventure and discover why surfers return again and again to these rugged shores. After all, the best sessions are the ones you have to work for.
Explore Surfing San Simeon to Ragged Point
Surf Spots in San Simeon
Pico Creek
Some surfers chase famous breaks. Others discover spots like Pico Creek, where a freshwater stream meets the Pacific at San Simeon’s northern edge. Here, the union of creek and ocean shapes waves that can’t be found anywhere else on Highway 1.
Pull over at Pico Creek, and you’ll discover why locals and savvy visitors keep coming back. The reef break calls to surfers who like their waves with a bit of attitude, while the beach break offers a mellower path to paradise. That said, it’s the kind of place that rewards a thorough read of the water, so take your time surveying the surf.
Prime surfing conditions emerge when swells arrive from the west (including southwest and northwest), complemented by east and northeast winds. Wave heights typically range from chest-high to several feet overhead, providing consistent opportunities for quality sessions. Tide timing plays a crucial role: low tide works best for the reef break, while medium tide delivers optimal conditions at the beach break.
Seeking an intimate experience? The southern end of the beach, accessible from Vista Del Mar via the bluff trail, offers an alternative break. Just be sure to note that this section features a rockier, more challenging shoreline better suited for experienced surfers comfortable navigating irregular coastlines. Less experienced surfers should stick to the more forgiving north end.
Type: Beach and reef break
Best Swell Direction: West, northwest
Wave Quality: Consistent, with powerful waves during winter
Crowd Level: Moderate, with mostly locals
Parking Information: End of Pico Ave or Vista Del Mar for south end access
Best For: Intermediate to advanced surfers
Optimal Conditions: West/northwest swell, east/northeast winds, low tide for reef, medium tide for beach break
San Simeon Point
While tourists snap photos of the pier, experienced surfers look just beyond, to where San Simeon Point beckons. Just north of Old San Simeon’s historic pier, this southeastern-facing point break waits for roadtrippers who know. Here, westerly winds sweep along protective cliffs, delivering the kind of right-hand waves that turn first sessions into lifelong returns.
Access requires some dedication: begin at W.R. Hearst Memorial Beach parking lot, near the Coastal Discovery Center. A quarter-mile northwestern beach walk leads to a dirt trail climbing the hillside. Follow the San Simeon Point Trail through a scenic forest for approximately a mile until you reach the point, where a careful scramble down to the beach awaits.
The point truly comes alive during northwest and west swells, starting to work at 5-6 feet and holding shape up to 10 feet. While the spot demands respect due to its rocky sections, the remote location – kept naturally uncrowded by the challenging access – gift surfers with an unforgettable Central Coast surfing experience.
Type: Reef and point break
Best Swell Direction: West, northwest
Wave Quality: Long, peeling waves with occasional hollow sections
Crowd Level: Light; often uncrowded due to its remote access
Parking Information: Parking available at W.R. Hearst Memorial Beach near Coastal Discovery Center
Best For: Experienced surfers seeking a scenic and secluded point break
Hazards: Rocks near the break, requiring caution during low tide
Optimal Conditions: Northwest/west swell 5-10 feet, westerly winds, all tides workable
Arroyo Laguna
When the road hits the reef at Arroyo Laguna, a great day on the water takes on a whole new meaning. Here, where Highway 1 hugs the coastline, beach and reef breaks create a surfer’s playground for the adventurous. The beach break offers both lefts and rights, dancing to the rhythm of distant groundswells, while a hidden right-hand reef break waits for surfers who venture just a bit further.
Like all great secrets, Arroyo Laguna reveals itself to visitors who take the time to understand its rhythms. While some chase summer swells, those who know wait for autumn’s clean waves or February’s unexpected gift – when offshore winds paint enticing lines across the water.
The breaks here play all day, riding the tide’s endless cycle, but it’s those northeast winds that delight surfers most. And though Highway 1 curves right above, the lineup stays surprisingly peaceful – just you, the water and maybe a few others who’ve learned this local secret.
But like any wild place worth exploring, Arroyo Laguna asks for your respect. Powerful rip currents can shift the game in moments, hidden rocks keep you on your toes and yes, the local marine life – including the occasional great white – reminds you that you’re just a guest in these powerful waters.
Type: Reef break
Best Swell Direction: Northwest
Wave Quality: Challenging, windy conditions with powerful waves
Crowd Level: Light, ideal for windsurfers as well
Parking Information: Park at Arroyo Laguna Beach on the Highway 1 Roadside
Best For: Advanced surfers and windsurfers
Optimal Conditions: Northeast winds, southwest groundswell, all tides workable
Hazards: Rip currents, submerged rocks, marine life
Ragged Point Surf Spots
Ragged Point Beach
Along Highway 1, some of the most magnificent treasures hide just beyond where your eyes can see. At Ragged Point Beach, 1.8 miles south of the historic inn, the coast reveals one of its quieter surf spots. While visitors explore Young’s Creek’s waterfalls and Black’s Beach’s scenic shores, this distinct stretch of sand between Ragged Point Inn and Piedras Blancas lighthouse holds its own kind of magic – one that surfers have been quietly celebrating for generations.
Finding this hidden surf haven requires attention to detail: look for a small pull-out between a call box and a “No Campfires” sign along Highway 1. A Hearst Corporation private property sign marks the trailhead, outlining beach access rules. The journey continues along a narrow trail through coastal vegetation to the bluff’s edge, where a steep path descends to the right side of the point.
The reward for this careful navigation? A pristine Central California beach break that rarely sees crowds, offering surfers the rare privilege of solo sessions among the rugged coastline. The spot’s isolation and raw beauty exemplify the untamed nature of surfing along this stretch of Highway 1.
Type: Beach break with scattered reef
Best Swell Direction: Northwest, west
Wave Quality: Unpredictable; can produce fun waves during the right conditions but often windy
Crowd Level: Minimal; remote location with limited access
Parking Information: Limited roadside parking on Highway 1; a steep trail leads to the beach
Best For: Intermediate surfers comfortable with variable conditions and isolated spots
Hazards: Rocky areas and potential rip currents
Access Notes: 7 miles north of Piedras Blancas, 1.8 miles south of Ragged Point Inn
San Carpoforo Creek
The southern gateway to Big Sur holds a secret: where San Carpoforo Creek kisses the Pacific, a surf break emerges unlike any other. Here, 8 miles north of Piedras Blancas and just shy of Ragged Point Inn, fresh water meets salt in a dance that creates a northwest-facing beach where rights and lefts peel with equal grace.
The surf spot welcomes visitors with clear signage and a turnout along Highway 1 – just look for the green gate marking the trailhead on the western side. A mellow quarter-mile walk through open marshlands brings you to a beach that often stays pleasantly uncrowded. Thanks to the valley’s natural layout, you’ll find something rare here: protection from common offshore winds that typically challenge Central Coast breaks.
Winter brings the best conditions, when northern storms rolling down from Oregon send waves that stand 2-3 feet taller than neighboring spots. But power requires caution, especially near the creek mouth where strong riptides can test even experienced surfers. Watch the tides and seasons here – they work with the creek to shape shifting peaks that reward adventurers who work to learn their rhythms.
Type: River mouth break
Best Swell Direction: West, southwest
Wave Quality: Fun and playful waves with occasional peaks near the creek mouth
Crowd Level: Light; a hidden gem for surfers willing to venture off the beaten path
Parking Information: Small parking area off Highway 1 at San Carpoforo Creek Trailhead; short hike required
Best For: Intermediate surfers seeking a quiet, scenic surf session
Hazards: Strong currents near the creek mouth during high water flow
Optimal Season: Winter swells from the north, protected from offshore winds
Big Sur Surf Spots
For adventurous surfers heading north of Ragged Point, Big Sur’s dramatic coastline reveals a collection of world-class breaks that few get to experience. These remote spots offer advanced wave riders a unique blend of rugged terrain and uncrowded lineups, making the journey well worth the extra effort.
Sand Dollar Beach
The crown jewel of Big Sur’s public beaches, Sand Dollar Beach promises what so many spots along Highway 1 can’t – consistency wrapped in pure California dream. Here, 15 miles north of Ragged Point across from Plaskett Creek Campground, Big Sur’s largest accessible beach offers waves that keep rolling long after other breaks have called it a day.
Winter brings the best surf, when western groundswells craft beautiful lefts that play through high and rising tides. The price of admission? Daily parking fare and a journey down a wooden staircase that winds a third of a mile to the sand. While you might share this canvas with more fellow surfers than Big Sur’s hidden breaks, the beach stretches wide enough to give everyone their own slice of paradise.
Type: Beach break
Best Swell Direction: Southwest, west
Wave Quality: Fun, consistent waves for all levels
Crowd Level: Light to moderate
Parking Information: Paid parking at Sand Dollar Beach Day Use lot near Plaskett Creek
Best For: All skill levels, particularly during smaller swells
Hazards: Rip currents, submerged rocks, marine life
Optimal Conditions: Rising high tide, western groundswells
Willow Creek
When the road bends toward Willow Creek, thirteen miles north of Ragged Point, surfers find what many spend years searching for: consistency and raw power. This isn’t just another roadside break – it’s where reef joins swell to craft the kind of power that makes you pause before paddling out. Fast, ledgy lefts and rights emerge from the dance, though it’s the left that keeps drawing riders back to this remote stretch of coast.
When rising tides meet northeast winds and groundswells line up just right, Willow Creek shows why some spots become legend. Here, 5-7 foot waves march in at 12-second intervals, offering the kind of clean faces that make the journey north worth every mile. Sure, you might find a crew of dedicated surfers at the Willow Creek Picnic Area on perfect days – but in Big Sur, sharing waves with those who know feels more like tradition than crowd.
Type: Reef break
Best Swell Direction: West, southwest
Wave Quality: Long rides, powerful waves during larger swells
Crowd Level: Light to moderate, depending on conditions
Parking Information: Limited parking at Willow Creek Picnic Area
Best For: Intermediate to advanced surfers
Wave Height: Typically 5-7 feet with 12-second intervals
Optimal Conditions: Rising tide, northeast winds, groundswell preferred over windwell
Nearby Surf Shops
The journey between San Simeon’s waves and Ragged Point’s breaks gets better with a little local insight. Three surf shops along this stretch of Highway 1 offer more than just gear – they’re where Central Coast surfing knowledge gets passed down, where beginners find their first boards and where stories of awesome sets abound.
Cambria Surf Shop
Housed in an 1880s building, Cambria Surf Shop stands as a testament to Highway 1’s rich surfing heritage. Check out this complete outdoor recreation hub offering surfboards, kayaks and electric bikes. Their diverse inventory serves surfers, fishermen and divers alike, while their collection of unique garden art adds local charm to the historic space.
Good Clean Fun Surf & Sport
Positioned as the last outfitter before Big Sur, Good Clean Fun remains a crucial stop for surfers journeying north. Located in Cayucos, this comprehensive shop has earned its reputation as both the best tackle shop around and the closest outfitter to Leffingwell Landing in Cambria. Their extensive selection caters to both surfing and fishing enthusiasts, making it an essential resource for coastal adventures.
Cayucos Surf Company
The beating heart of Cayucos’s laid back surf culture, Cayucos Surf Company combines local expertise with a carefully curated selection of gear. Their knowledgeable team provides valuable insights about local breaks and conditions, embodying the welcoming spirit of this coastal community. Rent wetsuits, check out an array of boards or simply chew the fat with the local surf and skate team.The beating heart of Cayucos’s laid back surf culture, Cayucos Surf Company combines local expertise with a carefully curated selection of gear. Their knowledgeable team provides valuable insights about local breaks and conditions, embodying the welcoming spirit of this coastal community. Rent wetsuits, check out an array of boards or simply chew the fat with the local surf and skate team.
Surfing Conditions by Season
Dive into Highway 1’s best surf spots, all year round. That said, San Simeon waters shift with the seasons, so take note before paddling out. Fall and winter serve up consistent, powerful swells that northwest winds shape into unforgettable days on the water. While experienced surfers chase these bigger days, every season offers a reason to stay forever stoked.
One constant remains: Central Coast waters keep their cool, hovering between the low 50s and 60s Fahrenheit through all four seasons. Your 4/3 wetsuit becomes your best friend here, with booties and a hood recommended when winter arrives.
More Surf Spots on Highway 1
Discover waves opportunity along Highway 1’s rugged surf spots. The stretch of Highway 1 from San Simeon to Ragged Point represents just a fraction of the incredible surfing opportunities along California’s Central Coast. Within easy reach, surfers can explore the charming surf towns of Cambria and Cayucos, each offering their own unique breaks and local surf culture.
You’ve come to the right place: San Simeon’s central location makes it the perfect base for exploring these nearby spots while enjoying the area’s tranquil beauty, historic attractions and vibrant wildlife. Whether you’re a seasoned local or visiting surfer, the variety of breaks in this natural playground ensures there’s always a new wave to discover.
