If you are unlucky due to lack of swell, good news is there are still a zillion things to do: Vans Skatepark, Disneyland, poker palaces, industry parties, sunrises, and sunsets. Get lucky, and you’ll score Trestles hot and glassy, the classic California surf with warm offshores carrying the smell of cactus from the mountains. Surf yourself stupid and then go on the hunt for the perfect breakfast burrito or nacho plate. Californians like their Mexican food, and there are plenty of affordable options on nearly every block. There are endless places to grind from Pedros Tacos to poki bars. Get really lucky and you could pull into a barrel at Salt Creek in Laguna Beach. There are any number of off-beat spots for barrels and ramps: if you’ve seen Seal Beach Pier, Brooks Street, Doheny or Cottons on a big south swell, you’ll understand why the surf industry is centered in Orange County. There are waves here. NORTH OR SOUTH It’s hard to sum up Orange County in less than documentary length, but the OC is only 36 miles out of 300. There’s a lot packed in there, but even more going either way north or south.
Kani Tsunami, Malibu, CA
Will Walling
Ian Saway, Imperial Beach CA