On a big winter swells, Swami’s is the Sunset Beach of San Diego County. This amazing reef that is also now a marine protected area creates lined walls perfect for high-performance surfing.
The gold spires of the Self-Realization Fellowship, a non-denominational meditation center, inspire many to pursue enlightenment. Some retreat to the compound’s flourishing gardens to reflect on the interconnectedness of life. With a surfboard in hand, others begin their journey to inner peace by navigating down the wooden stairs to the legendary right point break.
Swami’s stands among the best waves in California when it’s firing. Long, rippable walls stretch out with machine-like precision, allowing skilled riders the chance to unleash cutbacks, snaps, floaters, airs, even barrels (possibly all on the same wave if you’ve reached guru status). Small days can be surprisingly fun; only trace amounts of swell are required for it to be rideable. And due to the cliffs, Swami’s is protected from winds that ruin the surf at lesser breaks.
Because the wave is so good, Swami’s suffers from an abundance of fiberglass (particularly longboarders) in the water, sometimes making post-surf meditation sessions above the cliffs a necessity to cope with the crowd. But no one ever said transcendence was easy. Waiting patiently amid as many as 60 surfers yields the occasional wave that will elevate your consciousness.
Level: Advanced Best Swell: West, holds any and all sizes Best Season: Winter Parking: Park in the lot next to the Self-Realization Fellowship or try the Pacific Coast Highway.