This website is about surfing in the San Francisco Bay Area. By Kooks for Kooks. Heed.

1. Deadman's. Rocky left point / reef, works best on a low tide, requires solid NW swell to really work. when it's too big at Ocean Beach in the winter, this break can be sick. It's also going to be crowded, and it's arguably the most localized break in the region. I won't say where it is, but it's not a secret. Wait until the SF buoy reads above 10 feet with period longer than 15 seconds, hit it on the low tide, and join the legion of honor.

2. Ocean Beach. 5 miles of fickle beachbreak, at best offers speedy hollow a-frame peaks groomed by light offshore winds. At (frequent) worst, small mushy blown-out crap. The best season is fall, on average the best tide is falling to low, but there are lots of nuances and it is possible to score in any season, on virtually any swell direction, and at any tide. It's also possible to go for weeks with barely a rideable day. Conditions change quickly, so the many telephone and online reports are not always reliable, and even the webcams can be misleading. The surfers that really love this beach (and there are many) generally end up moving to the outer richmond or outer sunset to enhance their ability to score quality uncrowded waves. Which is entirely (and frequently) possible here.

3. Gray Whale Cove. This beachbreak south of the city has its moments. It's a scenic spot, with seemingly cleaner, clearer water than breaks to the north. Its also backed by cliffs and mountains, which help lift the summertime onshores, reducing the blow out factor compared to other nearby spots. The wave is fairly heavy, the underwater slope is relatively steep and the sand bars move around a lot, so it can be challenging at size. When at its best, there will be a couple of fairly consistent peaks, allowing 2 to 3 turn rides into the inside close out. Not usually that crowded, however it also can't really handle crowds as well as the beach breaks to the north. Sometimes referred to as "Gay Male Cove", it's a nude beach, and the general rule of nude beaches everywhere is in full effect.

4. Fort Point. Left point in the city. Near the bridge. Typically a mushy wave, allowing a drop, a bottom turn, a flick off the top then it's gone. Extreme tidal currents can make the line up a little tricky, with the unwary sometimes being sucked around the corner for a long paddle in and walk back to the lot. Despite it's mediocre quality, this is one of only a few point breaks in the vicinity, and it has a regular crew, including a house photographer who memorializes their awkward cutbacks and parking lot poses on the interweb. Google "Chuck Lantz" to see what I mean. This is a localized break, if you are a kook, barney or transplant, expect verbal abuse and the possibility of being beaten by several boogers in an essentially cowardly and highly illegal fashion. One possible upside if this happens to you is that some of the regulars are quite wealthy, making the settlement value of a lawsuit potentially worthwhile.

5. Rockaway. Heavy lefts and rights on good swell, depending on swell direction and tide. Primarily a slightly mushy right, best on mid and falling tide. Lots of current moving around, can be a bit shifty. Can hold large (double overhead plus) swell in the winter, but its a thick and pretty heavy wave. Somewhat localized, with recent rumors of pecking order enforcement related fistfights.