Ventura

Emma Wood State Beach marks the definitive bend in the coast between Ventura proper and the points and reefs beyond. Although Emma Wood is home to a handful of forgettable waves over a span of two miles, its franchise player is Ventura Overhead, a famous big-wave break that used to be the Sunset Beach training grounds for California's bravest big-wave pioneers. Overhead only breaks a few times a year, but it remains the area's premier big-wave spot -- wedgy, open-face rights that funnel for hundreds of yards and steep, lined-up lefts that can barrel with enough W in the swell.

Through the years, California Street has endured numerous face-lifts. Two decades ago, when it was known as Surfer's Point, a crew of hard-core locals proudly guarded their break against invaders from the south (Oxnard and Malibu), the east (the Valley) and the north (Santa Barbara). These days, with a boardwalk, pay parking machines (a buck an hour), islands of well-groomed sod and bathroom and shower facilities, the three-fourths mile series of points known as California Street, located in front of the Ventura County Fairgrounds, has been tamed into submission. The top and most popular point, known as Pipe (there's only one, so don't call it Pipes), tends to be the highest quality wave of the bunch. Like Upper Trestles, it's an ever-changing configuration of sand and cobblestone -- dependent on the flow of the Ventura Rivermouth -- but the wave remains the same: long right walls. This is true primarily during the winter, but it's also good on southwest swells with the occasional hollow section that runs for 50 to 75 yards. On the biggest winter days, it's possible to connect it clear to California Street, a distance of a half-mile or so. Pipe tends to be the most crowded break in Ventura, with a tight dawn patrol crew and a huge army of weekend warriors that keep the place humming. Inside of Pipe is the connecting link between Pipe and C Street, known as Stables -- named after the livestock section of the Fairgrounds. Stables functions more as a link to get you from point A to point B, but the occasional wave that swings wide at Pipe can be a home run here. In front of the main parking lot is California Street, a mushy beginner-oriented break that offers a dominant right with an occasional steeper left. On a minus low tide and large winter swell, Inside C Street (better known as Inside Point) can be one of the best waves in Ventura, with long, flawless walls that reel to the pier. When it's small, Inside Point is a longboarder's dream wave. LINEUP TIPS: Etiquette | Surf Safety Basics

The Ventura Harbor has long been a hotbed of hardcore surf talent and things haven't changed much over the years. When it’s on here you’ll find some of the best surfers in California backdooring overhead wedges — the caliber of talent in the water during any given session can be next level. Good on both solid west swells, as well as locally generated windswell, the shifting sandbars are at their best during the fall and winter months. Below the jetty on the southside of the harbor mouth is the preferred zone when the winds are blowing offshore and it’s pumping. The local scene can be somewhat uninviting to outsiders, so if you do plan on trying to trade barrels with the men and women who surf here regularly, respect should be given and strict adherence to surfing etiquette are a must.

Mondos is a great alternative for surfers seeking another option to the busy locations around the region. The waves here are usually a bit smaller, but Mondos picks up most swell directions and is rideable during most swell events. The majority of surfers ride longboards, as the break generally consists of a few soft, slow peeling peaks. On a medium-low tide the waves can peak up quite nicely and the rights can run along the break in a point-like fashion.

This mile-long stretch of beachbreak is a fickle wave that's best in the fall months. But when it's on, it's flawless A-frames tubing along this stretch of windswept beach.