Surfing near SF?

[Cookiedude]

Are there any surf breaks near Half Moon Bay (besides Mavericks :scared1: )? And does anyone know if there are surf shops along the coast there that rent boards?

[Magix]

I'm not a surfer, so I don't have specific info, but if you head a little further south from Half Moon Bay, the city of Santa Cruz is famous for it's surfing. They even have a surfing museum in the old lighthouse. You might want to check into SC. I think the main surfing area there is called Steamers Lane or something like that. Supposed to be really great.

[Magix]

Here's a link that will give you all kinds of Santa Cruz surfing spots and surf shops: http://www.santacruz.com/surfing/. After reading about Steamer Lane, I think you might want to try one of the other spots! :scared1:

[DOOM1001]

I'm not a surfer but when I was over in Pacifica just north of Half Moon Bay I saw many surfers.I've never been to Santa Cruz but have heard that it is a spot popular for surfing!!

[Cookiedude]

Hey Magix, thanks for the link, it rocks. Very helpful :thumbsup2

Er yeah, don't think we'll hit Steamers Lane. My favourite quote was "people die out there on a semi-annual basis" :rotfl:

Thanks for the Pacifica tip DOOM1001, we were going to head that way anyway so will check it out.

[birkner]

Are there any surf breaks near Half Moon Bay (besides Mavericks :scared1: )? And does anyone know if there are surf shops along the coast there that rent boards?

Here is some info and I quote from the website: All the links here are for the greater Santa Cruz area - from Marina and the Beaches/Manresa to the Jetty, Sharks, the Hook, Pleasure Point, Cowell's, Steamer's, Natural Bridges and Maverick's. If we missed anything you'd like on here - let us know! Have fun in the water!

http://www.surfingsantacruz.com/

As far as surfboard rentals:

On your way to Half Moon Bay, you'll pass one of the most famous spots for big waves in the world -- Mavericks. Just south of Pigeon Point Lighthouse, it's recommended for professionals only, but there's plenty of spots in the Bay for occasional surfers. You don't need to bring your own board: rent one when you get to town. At Shoreline Surf (831) 471-SURF, near the Boardwalk, pick out a surfboard or bodyboard and a wetsuit for around $25 a day. Ocean temperatures are cool enough to require a wetsuit, so you may to add a pair of booties, too. Lessons can be arranged for around $75 a day and are held at nearby Cowell Beach. Rentals are also available at Freeline (831) 476-2950 and lessons and equipment from Club-ed.com (831) 459-WAVE.

[Cookiedude]

Here is some info and I quote from the website: All the links here are for the greater Santa Cruz area - from Marina and the Beaches/Manresa to the Jetty, Sharks, the Hook, Pleasure Point, Cowell's, Steamer's, Natural Bridges and Maverick's. If we missed anything you'd like on here - let us know! Have fun in the water!

http://www.surfingsantacruz.com/

As far as surfboard rentals:

On your way to Half Moon Bay, you'll pass one of the most famous spots for big waves in the world -- Mavericks. Just south of Pigeon Point Lighthouse, it's recommended for professionals only, but there's plenty of spots in the Bay for occasional surfers. You don't need to bring your own board: rent one when you get to town. At Shoreline Surf (831) 471-SURF, near the Boardwalk, pick out a surfboard or bodyboard and a wetsuit for around $25 a day. Ocean temperatures are cool enough to require a wetsuit, so you may to add a pair of booties, too. Lessons can be arranged for around $75 a day and are held at nearby Cowell Beach. Rentals are also available at Freeline (831) 476-2950 and lessons and equipment from Club-ed.com (831) 459-WAVE.

That's fantastic info, thanks so much!

[LukenDC]

Central CA is prime terroritory for the Great White shark. While attacks are rare, it is best to familiarize yourself with the signs that a shark might be in the immediate vicinity.

[madhttr]

We just recently had a shark attack (20 ft great white) here off the coast of Marina (we can see santa cruz from were we are) in September I believe. Thats enough to keep me out of the water!

Surfers are a special kind of breed of people!

[Cookiedude]

Yikes, that's a huge one! Thanks for the heads up. Was someone killed?

Coming from Australia, we're very familiar with great white attacks. More people die from shark attacks here than anywhere else I think. A guy died just swimming off a local beach a few years back. But since it's my fool surfing boyfriend braving the water and not me, I know none of this will dissuade him :confused3