Campus Point
Santa Barbara Surf Spots
Surf Guide
The surf usually isn't the best here, but it does have its epic days and is considerably more consistent than the county's more southerly or easterly beachbreaks. Campus Point requires a pretty big swell to reach its potential, and those kinds of swells usually coincide with foul S winds and overall crummy conditions. Nevertheless, Campus Point is a long wave with several sections, including a zippy inside wall during low tide.
Ability Level
Beginner - Intermediate
Beginner to intermediate.
Local Vibe
Welcoming
Just a bunch of people (mostly students) enjoying the water and waves, little more.
Crowd Factor
Moderate
The hordes flock to the surf spots of Isla Vista.
Spot Rating
Fun
Soft, lined up pointbreak most days.
Shoulder Burn
Medium
Mellow most days, a little extra work if it is solid.
Water Quality
Clean
Pretty clean unless it just rained.
Ideal Surf Conditions
Swell Direction
WSW, W, WNW... preferably a swell period less than 15 seconds.
Wind
N, NE
Surf Height
Chest-high to double overhead.
Tide
Low to medium.