NorCal Surf Shops 5460 Coast Hwy, Pacifica, CA - (650) 738-9283
Log Shop 640 Crespi Dr, Pacifica, CA - (650) 738-5664
Sonlight Surfshop 575 Crespi Dr # 1, Pacifica, CA - (650) 359-5471
HMB Surf Report    (650) 726-0654

Suggested Movies
Surfs Up        Super good, best Hollywood surf movie ever
Step Into Liquid    Best all around Surfing Movie
Surfing for Life        Documentary on aging 70, 80 & 90 year old surfers
North Shore        All time classic 80’s Hollywood Surf Movie

To the south end, aka Boat Docks it is a mellow reef break that can have a really fin long left. Careful it’s rocky and you should only surf out there if you can surf safely. Next is San Pedro creek, rocky reef that can create some fun waves. Main beach, aka Taco Bell beach at Linda Mar is a Beach Break. The further north you go the more advanced and secluded the wave gets. The Pump House is n front of the north lot showers and is a good mid level wave. Next break is in front of the Park and Ride at Crespi, good wave with smaller crowds. The far north end has a few reefs and large exposed rocks, advanced only. So for your best best, stay between San Pedro creek and Taco Bell. It’s a mainly sandy bottom, slow, usually mushy wave that often closes out allowing multiple surfers to ride each wave. All these spots can become much nastier at high tides, or they can go flat if the tide is too high.

Wave. Energy in water that breaks in water that is approximately 1.4 times deeper than it is high. Ex. A 2-foot wave will break in about 3 feet of water.
Whitewater. Broken wave, mush, horizontal, better for beginners.
Tides. Changes twice a day, low tide tends to have more mellow mushy waves. High tide tends to have more hollow advanced waves.
Inside. Waves or whitewater close to the shore, where we usually hang out
Outside. Further out, where waves 1st break and beyond
Right. Wave breaking to the right from surfer’s perspective, left from shore. Regular foot surfers (left foot forward) are facing the wave, easiest way to surf.
Left. Wave breaking to left. Goofy foot surfers (right foot forward) are facing wave.
You are better off taking off at a angle for a few reasons: That’s how you properly surf a wave, It’s safer (less pear dives) and extend ride time by going down the line.
Ideally, you want to as close as possible to the shoulder of the wave at all times.

Other good beginner beaches in bay area
Surfers Beach in Half Moon Bay, aka Princton or HMB Jetty. Mellow little wave that is protected from north swells, mellower waves at low tide, hollow and fast at high tide.
Cowell’s in Santa Cruz, Capitola, Manresa is Aptos, Balinas in Marin