Not Everywhere in Orange County is Surf City, USA
While Orange County is home to the best surfing spots in the continental United States and the spot where surfing was first brought to the mainland, not everywhere is ideal for surfing. Some spots are just plain too dangerous and have been banned or black balled from the activity by local authority. Other locations just don’t have the conditions to be a good surf spot. So instead of a guide on where to surf in Orange County, we are calling out the places to avoid. Put your effort elsewhere, like the Wedge or Trestles or Doheny or Dana Strands.
Too Dangerous, Banned Locations for Surfing
Most of the beaches that have black balled or banned sirfing are in Laguna Beach. This is due to safety concerns. The shoreline of Laguna is very rocky and many areas it is too hazardous to surf. The reefs induce breaks where surfing just wouldn’t be viable.
Even in locations that allow surfing, if there are hazardous conditions or beaches and oceans are crowded with beach goers, lifeguards and park employees may choose to black ball surfing. This is to protect beachgoers and swimmers and usually happens during the busiest parts of the day. Pay attention to the flags off the lifeguard towers. If the black ball flag is flying, no surfing is allowed that day. This pertains to hard boards (hard fiberglass/polyurethane foam surfboards and skimboard), and usually does not impact soft boards (soft foam) or bodyboards.
Laguna Beach banned surfing locations
- Surfing is allowed at Agate, Brooks, Rockpile, and Thalia Street beaches. All other beaches it is banned.
- Likely because it just took over control of Aliso Beach, it’s not mentioned. Aliso is home to the most popular place for skimboarding. If the berm is breached on Aliso Creek (this happens natural after storms), it’s also provides an ideal standing wave.
Sources:
Too Tame, Locations with little break
There are a few beaches where even if allowed, surfing just wouldn’t be doable because, well, the is no surf. These locations are largely the beaches that are in a protect harbor.
Newport Beach
Dana Point
- Baby Beach. While Baby Beach is a great place to launch your standup paddleboard or kayak, it is too calm in its protected inlet to have any surf. This makes it a great place for toddlers to get their first taste of the ocean.
