South Beach is the main break of Del Norte County, a wide, flat, expansive beachbreak sitting right alongside Hwy 101 near the Crescent City Harbor. The waves break over sand and peel both left and right, giving you a spread-out beach with room to find a peak.
When It Works
The beach picks up swell from south through north (S-N), and it comes together best on a southwest (SW) swell. It's usable from 0.6 m / 2 ft to 2.4 m / 8 ft. The north end is the most sheltered corner, so it's a solid call in springtime and in the windows between winter storm fronts.
Wind and Tide
Look for northeast (NE) offshore wind, which cleans things up nicely; the north end also blows offshore on north winds. The break works on mid and high tide, with a rising tide the better bet and high tide the standout, especially when a southwest swell is running.
Local Tips
Getting out through the surf can be a problem here, so time your paddle-out and pick your gaps. Each October, Rhyn Noll hosts an annual longboarding contest at the beach.
