Overview
Santa Rosa Creek/Moonstone is Cambria’s main surf spot, a pebbly sand beachbreak near the mouth of Santa Rosa Creek along Moonstone Beach Drive. It has bowly, peaky, hollow sections, with short rides and the odd better wave mixed in. The bottom is sand with some rock and scattered boulders.
It is not a top-tier surf destination, but it is a consistent place to find something rideable when nearby areas are not working.
When It Works
The optimal swell direction is west, with south to north swells also in the mix. It works from 0.9 m / 3 ft to 2.4 m / 8 ft.
Smaller, peaky swells suit it best. When the swell is small it can be more like shorebreak, and when it gets bigger and lines up right it can become heavy.
Autumn is the main season, with September noted as a good month.
Wind and Tide
The offshore wind direction is east, with northeast also favorable.
It is best around mid tide, and a rising tide is better. Low, mid, and high tide can all be surfable.
Local Tips
This spot is popular with shortboarders and bodyboarders, and it suits intermediate to expert surfers. The crowd is usually moderate and polite, though it can get a little competitive.
Paddling is generally minimal. Watch for shallow shorebreak and sharks.
Access
Access is easy from the paved car park above the beach. From Highway 1, take Moonstone Beach Drive and use the signed asphalt parking lot for Santa Rosa Creek at the southern end of the road.
There is a car park with free parking and restrooms.
