Top 4 Surfing Beaches In The U.S.A

These Amazing Beaches Where a Surfer catch the Best Waves

1. Santa Cruz, California

 

 

I'm sure this not a shocker to most of you that this would be first on the list, didn’t you? Coined as “Surf City”, Santa Cruz truly is the perfect place for surfers of all levels. There’s also a great selection of hotels, inns, restaurants, and bars to enjoy while you’re not on the beach or in the ocean. Whether you’re a beginner or a veteran surfer, you’ll feel right at home in Santa Cruz. Beginners head to

Pleasure Point for somewhat calmer waters where it’s a bit easier to catch the waves – Capitola Beach is another good spot for beginners. Intermediate surfers can hit up Cowell’s Beach to master the art of wave catching. And advanced surfers can head to perhaps the most famous spot, Streamer Lane, for some world class waves.

If flying, then catching a cheap flight to San Jose is the best option to get to Santa Cruz – it’s only about 30 miles away. The choice of hotels and inns in Santa Cruz is great – breezy and relaxed places often right on the ocean front. It’s a popular tourist destination, so you should be able to find cheap accommodation with ease. There’s also cliff diving, tours, walks, museums, and plenty of other attractions to keep you occupied.

2. Montauk, New York

 

 

A former fishing town in east Long Island, Montauk nowadays is a bustling hive of activity for surfers. Being only 120 miles from New York City, there’s a good mixed crowd in Montauk of creative types, and wealthy Manhattan folk.

While the beaches aren’t as dazzling as what you’ll find on the west coast, they’re still pretty damn nice during the heated months. And the surfing – the surfing is pure excellent for everyone. There’s constant swells from south, west, and east so there’s no shortage of amazing locations, but the beloved Ditch Plains is where the real action goes down. Their are a lots of surf schools for the beginners also.

It’s best to fly to Long Island MacArthur Airport (ISP) or JFK (in NYC) – ISP is 66 miles away, and JFK is over 100. It might be a good idea to rent a car. For a place to stay in Montauk you have a choice of many inns, resorts, and hotels. There’s some amazing views from oceanfront hotels. You’ll also find a wonderful selection of spas, restaurants (checkout The Hideaway), and bars.

3. The Trestles At San Onofre State Beach In Orange County, CA

 

If you don’t mind waiting in line with such people as 11-time world SURF champion Kelly Slater or the Gudauskas brothers then the Trestles is a surfers dream come true. The rock bottomed point break is very forgiving making it suitable for anything from long boards to growlers and the locals, for the most part are friendly and forgiving so you don’t have to worry about chowin' down too much.

The weather is exactly what you would expect from a beach only 45 minutes from San Diego with trunks being the normal wear up until mid October and nothing more than a 2/2 being needed even during the coldest months.

Your options for lodging are pretty much endless in this area with anything from a 5 star accommodation to a beach bum hostel being spread both north and south up the coastal highway. For dinning you will find the situation very similar to that of housing. If you want it, it can be had in the area, but one thing you should not miss is a fish taco in Ensenada. Which stand has the best? You will just have to try them to find out as the owner operators are always trying to outdo each other, and the tacos themselves can range from citrusy to sweet to napalm hot. The one thing they all have in common is they are out of this world and if you happen to be a foodie surfer you may be torn between the surf and food.....

4. Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina

 

 

You may not think of North Carolina as being a hotbed for surfing, but if you haven’t tried it, don’t knock it. Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina offers some of the tastiest Atlantic waves to be had.

Located on the outer banks of the state, Kill Devil Hills offers a very special surfing experience. Sparsely populated it is more of a surfer’s commune than a hot vacation spot, but it offers some of the best and most consistent surfing on the east coast. Tall Atlantic swells and rolling barrel breaks are sure to satisfy even the choosiest slicer and when hurricanes roar, out of the south, it is definitely not for the faint of heart. You can trunk it from June to October but if you don’t mind a hood and gloves you can enjoy relative solitude year round.

Perhaps the best part of visiting Kill Devil is just the atmosphere. Remember, it is south of the Mason Dixon and southern hospitality is the rule. Life is a slower here; the people are little friendlier and smiles are mandatory dress of the day.
Be sure and visit Food Dudes Kitchen for a fried Mahi sandwich or Black and Blue Burger and the

Colington Café for some home southern cooking with desserts that are “slap yo momma good” as they say down there.

For lodging, you can pick your poison and your price range. You can choose anything from a beachfront condo or historical B&B to a 5 star luxury resort all either on the water or just along the shores for sight seeing.