Overview
Santa Maria Rivermouth, also known as Guadalupe Beach, is a powerful, hollow beachbreak that is never flat. It peels both left and right over sand, and the sandbars are shaped by the flow of the Santa Maria River. After heavy rainfall, the mouth can throw up an excellent sandbar. It sees a lot of wind, and strong currents run here, so it suits confident surfers who can read moving water.
When It Works
The break draws swell from south through north (S-N), and lines up best on a west (W) swell. It works from 0.6 m / 2 ft to 1.8 m / 6 ft, so there is plenty of range to play with when the sandbars are on. Incoming tides bring out the best of it.
Wind and Tide
Look for an east (E) offshore wind to groom the faces. The bank works best around mid tide, and a rising tide is generally the better call as the water pushes in.
Access
You will find it at the end of Hwy 166 out of Guadalupe. The road near the beach is often blanketed with sand, so take that into account on the way in. There is a car park with free parking and restrooms on hand.
