Monterey Bay

Monterey Bay's surf landscape is fragmented across several breaks scattered along the peninsula and northern coast. Sandy beach breaks at Moss Landing produce powerful barrels when swells and winds align, while rocky reef and point breaks dominate around Asilomar and the Monterey Peninsula proper. The Monterey Bay Submarine Canyon funnels swell directly onshore, and western to northwestern winter swells bring the most consistent, largest waves from fall through spring. Water temperatures remain frigid year-round, ranging from 54 to 62 degrees Fahrenheit, demanding thick wetsuits.

The area has supported active surfing since at least the 1970s and '80s, with the Surfabout competition emerging around 1980 as a local fixture. Created by local shapers Brad Johnson and Tom Knight to channel rivalry between Pacific Grove and Carmel surfers into community rather than conflict, the event has persisted as a regional tradition and reflects an established local scene with strong participation and geographic attachment.

Asilomar State Beach, the most accessible anchor point on Sunset Drive in Pacific Grove, sees year-round activity but demands respect for submerged rocks and rip currents. Marina State Beach and Capitola offer gentler entry points for beginners. Great white sharks patrol the bay—documented attacks have occurred here, though fatal incidents remain rare—and kelp forests, cold water shock, and unpredictable currents are routine hazards.