Overview
Sand Dollar Beach is a scenic white-sand crescent that curves into a horseshoe cove of shifting sandbars. Sheltered from north and south winds, it is a forgiving, user-friendly beach break, with a gently sloping beach and soft whitewater rollers on the inside that keep it approachable. The south end usually offers a long, mushy left that dissolves into the channel in the middle of the cove, while the rights are faster, shorter and more walled. The cove's north end is mostly a right that also fades into the channel, generally bigger but less shapely.
When It Works
This sand-bottom beach break picks up swell from the south through to the north, and lines up best on a northwest (NW) swell. It is usable from 0.6 m / 2 ft to 2.4 m / 8 ft; when it climbs much bigger, paddling out becomes a real battle. Autumn is the standout season, and the cove's shifting banks keep it worth checking regularly.
Wind and Tide
Look for an east (E) offshore wind to clean things up. The break favors high tide, and a rising tide is generally the better call.
Local Tips
Intermediate surfers will get the most out of it, and the cove takes anything from shortboards and fish to funboards and longboards. Expect a quiet, somewhat reserved lineup, with plenty of room to spread out and pick your own peak.
Access
Head north on Highway 1 out of San Simeon and watch for the Sand Dollar Beach signs. There is a car park with paid parking, along with restrooms, and camping is available right across the highway at Plaskett Creek.
