Los Angeles & Southern California - Andrea Schulte-Peevers [43]
Boarders and swimmers are both allowed in the same areas, but swimmers have the aquatic ‘right of way’ so be cautious.
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Orange County-based Surfer magazine (www.surfermag.com) has travel reports, gear reviews and blogs, and also publishes the water-resistant Guide to Southern California Surf Spots ($20) with comprehensive reviews of some 250 surf spots.
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Windsurfing & Kiteboarding
Experienced windsurfers tear up the waves along the coast, while new or ‘mellower’ surfers skim along calm bays and protected beaches. There’s almost always a breeze, but the best winds blow in from March or April to the end of September. As always, wetsuits are a good idea any time of year.
Basically, any place that has good windsurfing also has good kiteboarding. Look for the people doing aerial acrobatics as their parachute-like kites yank them from the water. The best areas are wide-open spaces devoid of obstacles like piers and power lines. That way you and your sail-powered cohorts don’t need to worry about unexpected flights that could slam you into concrete.
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For the complete low-down on surfing, pick up a copy of Surfing California: A Complete Guide to the Best Breaks on the California Coast by Raul Guisado and Jeff Class.
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When in San Diego, beginners should check out Santa Clara Point in Mission Bay. The winds are steady and most of the time blow toward the shore – perfect if you’re a stranded first-timer. Santa Barbara’s Leadbetter Beach is popular for all water sports and the area near Stearns Wharf in front of West Beach is a good starting spot. In LA, you’ll see lots of action off Point Fermin and Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro.
The learning curve in windsurfing is steeper than other board sports – imagine balancing on a fast-moving plank through choppy waters while trying to read the wind and angle the sail just so. Lessons are available in most windsurfing hotspots for about $75 to $100 for a half-day beginner’s lesson. Beginner kiteboarding lessons usually last a few days. The first day is spent learning kite control on the beach and the second day gets you into the water. Although it’s harder to get started kiteboarding, experts say it’s easier to advance quickly once the basics are down.
Most windsurfing businesses at least dabble in kiteboarding and many offer training in the $200 to $500 range for a full course (usually two or three lessons), including equipment hire. Shops usually won’t rent kiteboarding gear to people who aren’t taking lessons with them, but students often get a big discount on gear purchase.
Windsurfing gear rentals start at around $20 per hour for a beginner’s board and $15 to $25 for a wet suit and harness for the day. Wind reports are available at www.iwindsurf.com (membership is required for detailed reports); for schools and shops check www.worldwindsurf.com.
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Kerri Walsh and Misty May, beach volleyball gold medalists at the 2004 Olympics, both live and play volleyball in Southern California.
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BEACH VOLLEYBALL
You can find a pickup volleyball game on just about any SoCal beach, especially in Orange County and in LA’s South Bay, and its popularity is increasing thanks to legendary local players like Kent Steffes and Karch Kiraly. Professional tournaments take place each summer, including in Huntington Beach, Long Beach, Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach.
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KAYAKING
Few water-based sports are as accessible and fun for the whole gang