Torrey Pines State Beach is located in San Diego, California, offering about a mile of beachbreak to surfers. The beach is set against impressive sandstone bluffs, providing a nice backdrop while you catch waves. It’s a popular spot, especially on weekends and during the summer, so expect crowds, especially from tourists.

The surf here breaks over both rock ledges and sand, with the best conditions typically on small winter swells. Optimal swell direction is from the west, and it can handle swell sizes as small as 1 ft (about 0.3 m). You’ll find left waves here, and they generally work best with east winds. It’s good to surf during low, mid, or high tide, so you’ve got flexibility there. Swells can also come from the south and northwest, giving you some options based on the day.

Access to the beach is from the North Beach area where the main parking lot is located, which is close to Los Peñasquitos Lagoon. If you have some time, consider checking out the nearby Torrey Pines State Reserve too; it’s home to the rare Torrey pine tree, which you won’t find anywhere else in the world.