Willow Creek Surf Guide

Willow Creek Surf Guide

Big Sur's handful of spots are brutally fickle and are almost impossible to figure out unless you reside in the Big Sur region. Often that dreamy, long-interval pulse arrives with a roaring NW gale attached to it. There are days, however, when it's possible to snatch a whiff of good waves at a few of the more consistent nooks, the first being Willow Creek, Big Sur's southernmost surf arena and a formal recreation unit of the Los Padres National Forest.

Upon first inspection, you might think that the waves that break in front of the kelp-covered, tortoise-sized boulders of Willow Creek are too close to shore for a safe go-out. The truth is, it's not as hazardous as it looks. The lefthander just north of the parking lot is usually best, although a wedging south peak can also turn on. With its majestic backdrop, frigid water and huge kelp bulbs dotting the lineup, Willow is a good place to tap into Big Sur's raw energy. Power is the name of the game here, which means that the frequent cleanup sets should be avoided whenever possible. Hollow sections exist, but you're more apt to be surfing thunderous, carvable lefthand walls. Willow can be the best break on the coast when the elements quit bickering and actually agree with each other, which means that it's the staple diet for a small cadre of Big Sur waveriders. If there's already a dense pack at the north peak, you can move into the overflow area to the south.