Salmon Creek Surf Guide
Surf spot guide
Salmon Creek Surf Guide
The most popular surfing spot in the county -- powerful beachbreak resembling San Francisco's Ocean Beach - the tiny enclave of Salmon Creek offers a heavy wave that will kick your ass no matter how many times you've surfed Puerto Escondido. Getting outside can be very tough, but there's usually a couple of natural paddling channels if the swell is peaky enough. Salmon Creek can hold big swells: 10-12-feet on Buoy 13. This doesn't mean that you'll be able to make it out, but it's worth a look. The currents and undertow are notorious, too, and it blows out fairly easily. The area in front of the parking lot is the most heavily trodden peak, but you can always find your own wave with a short walk to the south. If you're accustomed to riding big, burly beachbreaks, Salmon Creek is for you.
Ability Level
Intermediate - Advanced
Intermediate-Advanced
Local Vibe
Doable
Not too bad, unless you count the occational grumpy fisherfolk from Salmon Creek or the sometimes moody ab divers from Bodega Bay. Most of the people you'll see here are inland folk more accustomed to people and crowds.
Crowd Factor
Moderate
Can see a fair-sized group of surfers, but, again, there’s plenty of room.
Spot Rating
Fun
Fun.
Shoulder Burn
Medium
Moderate.
Water Quality
Clean
Mostly clean.
Hazards
Seeing how this break lies at the mouth of a major creek, you can be certain that there's a clear and present shark danger. There have been three attacks here since 2000.
Bring Your
Shortboard, Funboard, Gun
Access
For Bean Avenue, turn onto Bean Avenue off Highway 1 and drive to its end. For Salmon Creek proper, pull into the paved North Salmon Creek Beach parking lot off Highway 1, one mile north of Bodega Bay. Take one of the trails down to the sand.
Bottom
Sand
Best Season
September-November
Do you have local knowledge about Salmon Creek?
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