From our friends at www.sandiegosurfingschool.com
Paddling California is a great way to see the state and its many beautiful landscapes in a new and exciting way. But with so many great stand up paddleboard locations to choose from, picking the perfect one can be tough. That's why we're bringing you a few of the best spots to help you decide. Keep reading to learn more.
-Perfect Paddles Travel Brief-
Best Time of Year to Visit:
The best travel time for California is from May to September. In these months it is sunny, warm and the likelihood of rain is very low. April and October are also good months for a Californian getaway! For holidaymakers who can't stand high temperatures, I would recommend avoiding the period from July to August. (www.holidayguru.ie)
Average Temperature:
Much of California has a Mediterranean-like climate with warm, dry summers and mild, wet winters. On the coast, the average daily high temperature hovers around 70°F and up, but can occasionally spike to 80°F or more on hottest summer days; freezing temperatures are rare, even in winter. (www.visitcalifornia.com)Perfect Paddles Shops/Outfitters Near the Locations:
1. Paddle Method: Marina Del Rey (Member Deal)
Exclusive Offer: Grab 10% off your Paddle Method rental, lesson, or tour with code PERFECTPADDLE10 at checkout at paddlemethod.com!
This is the place to start and is our most popular SUP Tour for beginners – a lesson and tour combined – includes a Level 1 Paddle Method lesson from a certified paddle Pro so that paddlers of all abilities can enjoy the always entertaining scenic Sea Lion colonies and migrating sea birds with confidence. Great for small groups: families, friends, and corporate team building events!
Spectacular sunsets like you’ve never seen them before! Unwind, and enjoy a night on the water with your friends, a significant other or meet someone new! Cruise under the setting sun and then under the stars and experience the water from a whole new perspective!
This is what stand up paddle boarding is all about! You’ve taken your beginner SUP lessons in a marina, put in some hours on a sunset cruise or Paddle Method POWER PADDLE and now you are ready to get out on the ocean or bay and into some waves and see the world from a SUP point of view. You have earned it! This is what it’s all about and why we live to SUP.
2. Goff Tours: Laguna Beach (Member Deal)
3. Bliss Paddle Yoga: Newport Beach (Member Deal)
4. Paddle Sports Center: Santa Barbara (Member Deal)
5. Wandersurf Board Co.: San Diego (Member Deal)
6. SUP Pups California: San Diego (Member Deal)
Member Deals: Don’t forget to take advantage of our fantastic Buddy Deals for exclusive discounts for our members! To become a member head HERE.SUP Environments to Paddle In
Rivers
Lakes
Marinas
Bay
Ocean
SUP Activity Highlights:
Excursions
Tours
Wildlife Tours
Eco Tours
Glow Paddles
SUP Yoga
Wildlife Paddles:
Southern California is truly a beautiful place. And easily one of the best places to experience all types of marine wildlife including dolphins, seals, whales, manta rays, and more! To get in on a wildlife paddle, use our Locations/Activities guide HERE!SUP Surf Spots (source here)
Malibu: Malibu Surfrider Beach is a hotspot for surfers of all levels. It is known as one of the world’s most famous surf breaks. The waves closer to the shore are calmer and ideal for beginners. As advanced surfers go out further, they will encounter larger breakers. Malibu Surf Shack is located near the beach and offers rentals on boards, wetsuits, body boards, kayaks and paddleboards. The Malibu Surf Shack also offers lessons for kayaking and surfing.
Oceanside: San Diego. Great for beginners! If you are new, the gentle waves at Oceanside are a great place to begin your SUP surfing journey.
Pacific Beach: Another great spot for beginners! The breaks at this location and usually soft and easy on paddlers, just be sure to not get lined up in the crowd. Paddleboards are often big and can be dangerous for crowded sections. Be aware of your surroundings!
San Onofre State Beach, San Clemente: As one of California’s top five most-visited state parks, San Onofre State Beach is ideal for beginning surfers. The average swell is a mellow 3-4 feet year-round. San Onofre Surf Beach, a portion within the beach dedicated to surfers, is known for its consistently gentle waves. Maybe you’ll even camp out here for the weekend!
El Porto Beach, El Segundo: El Porto beach is great for surfers of all skill levels with its consistent waves and easy access. Campsurf is conveniently located near this beach and offers lessons for individuals and groups wanting to learn how to surf. Additionally, Campsurf offers stand up paddleboard lessons. El Porto Surf Shop is a one stop shop for all surfing necessities ranging from wax to boards to wetsuits.
La Jolla Black’s Beach: This is the spot for the professional looking to upgrade their skills. The unpredictable waves can be a blast or a serious danger. Make sure you have the skills and the day you go it looks safe before heading out.
Lower Trestles: This famous break has been dubbed by Kelly Slater as his favorite surf spot in the world. World-class waves on a beautiful stretch of beach.
Perfect Paddles Gear We Like to Get You Ready for Your Trip:
Mustang Beltpack PFD - An essential piece of gear for any paddler. But especially important for anyone paddle boarding swift currents found in and around NYC.
Insta 360 Camera - Capture every moment on the water with the brand-new, fully waterproof, easily transportable Insta Camera!
Interested in any of these extra activities? Be sure to head HERE to find a list of paddle pros in the area and what they offer!
Additional Attractions (source here):
Southern California is home to some of the best places to visit on the coast including Hollywood and countless beaches! Let’s discover some more!
Disneyland Resort: The Disneyland Resort, commonly known as Disneyland, is an entertainment resort in Anaheim, California.
Joshua Tree National Park: Joshua Tree National Park is a vast protected area in southern California. It's characterized by rugged rock formations and stark desert landscapes. Named for the region’s twisted, bristled Joshua trees, the park straddles the cactus-dotted Colorado Desert and the Mojave Desert, which is higher and cooler. Keys View looks out over the Coachella Valley. Hiking trails weave through the boulders of Hidden Valley.
Universal Studios: Universal Studios Hollywood is a film studio and theme park in the San Fernando Valley area of Los Angeles County, California. About 70% of the studio lies within the unincorporated county island known as Universal City while the rest lies within the city limits of Los Angeles, California.
Hollywood Sign: The Hollywood Sign is an American landmark and cultural icon overlooking Hollywood, Los Angeles, California. It is situated on Mount Lee, in the Hollywood Hills area of the Santa Monica Mountains.
Hollywood Walk of Fame: The Hollywood Walk of Fame comprises more than 2,690 five-pointed terrazzo and brass stars embedded in the sidewalks along 15 blocks of Hollywood Boulevard and three blocks of Vine Street in Hollywood, California.
Santa Monica Pier: The Santa Monica Pier is a large double-jointed pier at the foot of Colorado Avenue in Santa Monica, California, United States. It contains a small amusement park, concession stands, and areas for views and fishing
San Diego Zoo: The San Diego Zoo is a zoo in Balboa Park, San Diego, California, housing more than 3,500 animals of more than 800 species and subspecies.
For reference, be sure to check out our Perfect Paddles Activities map! For Southern California, you will find it below:
California's Best SUP Spots
LA JOLLA COVE
While some of the best places in California for paddle boarding are in and around San Diego, La Jolla Cove still stands out as a top spot.
That's because it offers a little of everything you might be looking for.
There's crystal clear water, teeming with fish, leopard sharks, and ray. There are sweeping views of the cliffs, covered in sea lions and seals. You'll also have a view of the many beautiful homes perched high above the water.
Plus, there's plenty of free parking near the water for you to drop your car and get your gear to the beach.
CATALINA ISLAND
Catalina Island is perhaps one of the most beautiful spots in California. It's also an excellent spot to break out your paddleboard.
While you'll have to catch a ferry to Catalina Island, once there, there are numerous spots where you can launch your board right from the beach.
Paddle along the coast of this 22-mile long archipelago and you'll enjoy clear blue waters and picturesque beaches. Avalon is a great spot to start your SUP adventure.
SAN DIEGO BAY
If you're looking for something a little more urban than La Jolla Cove or Catalina Island, San Diego Bay might be just the place.
Here, you can paddle right up to the USS Midway, a now-retired aircraft carrier. You'll also get a great view of downtown San Diego and the massive Coronado Bridge.
There is a lot of boat traffic in the bay, as well as plenty of obstacles to avoid. This trip should only be taken by experienced paddleboarders or beginner paddlers following a guide. It's also a good idea to start early in the day when there will be less traffic crossing the bay and therefore less awake.
BALBOA ISLAND
In Southern California, paddleboarding is a year-round activity.
One of the top spots in California to paddle during the holidays is Balboa Island.
At Christmas, the island is covered in millions of tiny lights and is also home to the Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade. The entire perimeter of the island is only 2.75 miles, making it a perfect paddling trip.
If you plan to head out to paddle at night, be sure to prepare. You'll need to wear brightly colored clothing and add lights to your board to make sure that other boat traffic can see you.
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Coronado
California
92118
United States
- Location Info Guide