Customer Reviews

Surfing California: A Complete Guide to the Best Breaks on the California Coast (Surfing Series)

5 star:		(0)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Don't buy this book. The pictures are all from what seems to be a one-week fly-by roadtrip in the summer, and so every spot they take a picture of is flat. That's no help at all. The info they write on each break was probably copied from somewhere else online, and most of it is wrong and outdated. It sounds as if these guys don't even surf.

Not worth the money, go with Bank Wright's classic: Surfing California

I agree with everything the previous reviewer said and then some. A guidebook should be both accurate and have nice photos to help the reader see where they are going. The photos, especially for S.Cal, were taken on the smallest day ever. If El Cap, Campus Point, Sandspit and Rincon are point breaks then why are the pictures of beach breaks? You don't have to pay to park at any of the places they refer to as "Tamarack" (it's not the California State Park at South Carlsbad where you do have to pay to get access to the camping area) unless you give money to me as the homeless surf bum asking for spare change. Buy and use this guide at your own peril.

I would rank Cleary and Stern's Surfing Guide to Southern California the best (4 stars) even though its over 40 years old. The aerial photos are great and there are photos of the spots taken when there is actually surf. Bank Wright's is ok as are the Surfer Magazine guides (3 stars). But be sure to skip this one.

Edit 2010: Re: Tamarack: for years and when this was published, you could park for free at the lower parking lot. That changed this summer, and is now a pay lot. When this book was written you could park for free there. This book and its crappy photos still suck and are worthless.

This book covers the basics you would like for a surf break: swell direction, wind, tides, seasons, etc... They do have a decent selection of breaks, but the descriptions vary from good to informative to uninspiring filler. This book does okay as a quick reference while on the road, but I use others for that purpose.

Another reason for my buying a surfing book is to get me amped for travel. However I have never seen more terrible photographs of surfing in my life! They used sub par shots that look like they literally came from a camera phone! Shots that are unfocussed (see Moonstone Beach), too distant (see Humboldt North Jetty), or just plain terrible selection (see Scott's Creek). Want a real scorcher of a photo? Look at their choice for California Street: a surfer failing to paddle into a 1-ft mushburger. It's so pathetic I actually laughed.

The book is a total loss so I gave it one star. I say pass on this one. There are certainly much better books out there.

This book deserves better rating. I'm comparing this book to the Surfer Magazine's Guide (SMG). The SMG is printed better, pics look better, but the description part is a bit arbitrary. This book is more organized and more informative. I like the introduction of the history and background of the sites, which is an interesting read. They also did good summary of each site, everything is clear with a glance. I suggest getting both books.