Asilomar State Beach is a picturesque crescent of sandy beach flanked by two headlands, with three separate take-off zones that each break with their own consistency and shape. Roadsides is a right at the north end that starts close to shore and reaches further out as the swell builds. Middles is a punchy beachbreak peak in the middle of the bay. Reef, at the south end, is a lefthander that holds up to head-and-shoulders size before turning into a bowling right, and it can be one of the most challenging waves in the area when a big swell lands.
When It Works
Asilomar draws swell from the south through north (S-N), with northwest (NW) the standout direction. It works from 0.9 m / 3 ft to 3.7 m / 12 ft, breaking left and right over a mix of boulders and sand. Exposed to just about everything, it can hold surf year-round across spring, summer, autumn, and winter, and it earns its reputation as a good-quality setup.
Wind and Tide
Look for southeast (SE) offshore wind to clean things up. It can work through most of the tide, with a rising tide generally the better call.
Local Tips
Expect a moderately busy lineup when it's on, with a friendly feel in the water. It suits a wide range of surfers, from beginners through to experts, and both shortboards and guns have their place given how much size it can hold. Paddle-outs are moderate but turn heavy with strong currents when it's big, so keep sharks and large surf in mind on the bigger days.
Access
There's a car park with paid parking, plus restrooms on site.
