El Capitan Surf Guide
Surf spot guide
Ideal Surf Conditions
Swell Direction
a big, clean W or WSW, preferably a swell period less than 15 seconds
Wind
NE, N
Surf Height
head-high to double overhead
Tide
low
El Capitan Surf Guide
El Capitan breaks so seldom that you begin to wonder if it's even a surf spot, but El Cap does get damn good. The setup is another dreamy Santa Barbara righthand point. El Cap only lifts a finger but a handful of times (if that) each autumn and winter season. It needs large W swells with just the right tide and wind to offer those fabled, roping, righthand barrels. Sitting deep and risking the unmakeable section will probably thrust you into the boulders, resulting in a barnacle massage.
Ability Level
Advanced
Advanced
Local Vibe
Doable
Medium, but a lot of folks will go without looking anyway.
Crowd Factor
Heavy
It's a scarce, precious resource: think a major frenzied crowd.
Spot Rating
Perfect
Regional classic.
Shoulder Burn
Medium
Not bad when it is small, plenty of work to be had when it is pumping.
Water Quality
Clean
Pretty clean unless it just rained.
Hazards
Drop-ins, sharp boulders on the point, sand-sucking pits.
Bring Your
Shortboard, Bodyboard
Access
Exit 101 at the park's signed off-ramp. Go left under the bridge and head toward the kiosk. You can find your way from there.
Bottom
Rock and sand
Best Season
October-February
Do you have local knowledge about El Capitan?
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