Maverick’s Famous Surfing Spot in Half Moon Bay and in the World

This is a world-renowned big-wave break in Half Moon Bay.

Maverick’s is located just north of Half Moon Bay and is about 0.25 mile from Pillar Point Harbor. It has earned a reputation as one of the best big-wave spots in the world.

Bigwave surfers from places such as Southern California, Hawaii, and Australia travel to this break when there’s a massive swell visiting.

There are two main peaks at Maverick’s. The peak on the north end of the break is ridden the most. The other break, known as the outer bowl, can be a monstrous, nearly perfect two-way peak. Hold-downs can be particularly frightening here on a big day due to the cold water and large submerged boulders.

And many a big-wave gun has ended up on the Pillar Point rocks. With a small swell Maverick’s will appear virtually flat and serene. Given a large winter swell, however, this deep-water break can hold waves that are several times overhead. When it’s on, Maverick’s is definitely not a break for the timid or inexperienced surfer.

Activity Type: Surfing

Best Boards: Gun

Nearby City: Half Moon Bay

Elevation Gain: Minimal

Conditions: Unspecified

Skill Level: Skill Level: Advanced Hazards: Sharks, hold-downs, ending up on the rocks

Season: Best in winter

Half Moon Bay Beaches Surfing Spot

This is a 4-mile stretch of beach with numerous breaks in Half Moon Bay. Half Moon Bay is a 4-mile crescent of beach with several breaks. Some are exposed to northwest wind, but they can all be great with the right conditions.

The best spots are (listed from north to south): El Granada Beach, Vallejo Beach, Miramar Beach, Naples Beach, Dunes Beach, Venice Beach, Elmar Beach, and Francis Beach. The three main parking and access points are at Francis Beach, Venice Beach, and Dunes Beach.

Francis Beach is located at the end of Kelly Avenue in the heart of the town of Half Moon Bay.

Venice Beach is at the end of Venice Boulevard off Highway 1. And Dunes Beach is at the end of Young Avenue off Highway 1.

Activity Type: Surfing

Best Boards: Shortboard, funshape, longboard.

Nearby City: Half Moon Bay

Elevation Gain: Minimal

Conditions: Unspecified

Skill Level: Novice to advanced; Hazards: Rip currents, shorebreak, poundings

Season: Year-round

Linda Mar Surfing Spot

This is a mostly west-facing beach in Pacifica. Linda Mar is a mile-long stretch of beach just north of Pedro Point.

It’s a very picturesque area and somewhat protected from the wind. The break here is usually fairly forgiving, and on a nice weekend it can attract a fair number of novice surfers.

However, Linda Mar can also produce a fun and challenging wave with a bigger swell. The outer peaks tend to be the best shaped and often produce the longest rides.

Activity Type: Surfing

Best Boards: Longboard, funshape.


Nearby City: Pacifica

Elevation Gain: Minimal

Conditions: Unspecified

Skill Level: Novice to intermediate under; head height; advanced when it’s head; high and over;

Hazards: Shore pound on a big day

Season: Best in fall, winter, and summer

Pescadero Surfing Spot

Pescadero Beach is located right next to highway 1 about 10 mile south of Half Moon Bay. At sunset the view along the rocky coastline could be quite spectacular.

This is an area of beach breaks and rocky reefs 14 miles south of Half Moon Bay. Pescadero is a very remote-feeling area of the California coast even though it’s really not that far from San Francisco or Santa Cruz. There are both beach breaks and reef breaks that you can surf all by yourself. The beach breaks are on the north end of Pescadero State Beach, and there are rocky reefs all along Pescadero Point. If there’s a swell and the wind is favorable, the surf is bound to be good somewhere in this area.

Activity Type: Surfing

Best Boards: Shortboard

Nearby City: Woodside

Elevation Gain: Minimal

Conditions: Unspecified

Skill Level: Intermediate to advanced

Hazards: Sharks

Season: Year-round

Ocean Beach Surfing Spot

This is a 3-mile stretch of exposed beach break in San Francisco. Ocean Beach is home to 3 miles of beach break that can be excellent on a good day.

However, this beach is also exposed to northwest wind, which can significantly affect the wave shape. Even though Ocean Beach is located on the outskirts of a major city, it rarely gets crowded.

A lot of people visit on the weekend when the weather’s nice, but very few of them surf. If the waves aren’t too intimidating, wave shape is good, and it happens to be a sunny, windless, weekend day, you’ll find a fair number of surfers in the water. Luckily, it’s a large beach with numerous peaks, so it’s easy for people to spread out. Ocean Beach isn’t a very good break for novice surfers.

It’s a powerful beach break, and the outer sandbars can hold large waves in winter. Be prepared for shifting peaks, strong currents, and conditions that change significantly from hour to hour.

Activity Type: Surfing

Best Boards : Shortboard, funshape, gun.

Nearby City : San Franscisco

Elevation Gain: Minimal

Conditions : Unspecified

Skill Level : Intermediate to advanced; Hazards: Strong currents, getting out on a big day

Season : Best in fall and winter