About

Outstanding surf, especially in the summer. Huge sandy beaches for a twenty mile stretch. Excellent beachbreaks with standup barrels on bigger swells. The only problem is that there are lots of hidden metal objects underwater, like empty oil drums, ammo shells, unexploded tank shells, etc. It's a little spooky, but the waves can be really good, and the crowds are made up of just you and whoever you bring. If you can somehow get a pass and go on base, well then it's all yours, otherwise, you have to be a sneak like me.

Atmosphere:
Now listen carefully. Do not surf here on a foggy day, because amphibious watercraft often come out of nowhere and on to the beach. Those machines are huge and will squash you. The officers will be ticked if they see you there. Also, don't be under the freeway bridge if a tank comes by. It could very easily break your eardrums. Don't be seen if possible. Usually, if caught you will be told to leave, but they actually can arrest you. I was caught twice. Once they made me leave, the other time they borrowed my board and surfed (some Marines are surfers too).
I am not a racist, but in all honesty, people of Middle Eastern heritage of Central American heritage will be treated a lot worse than others. Many illegal aliens sneak through this area on their way to Los Angeles, and, well, I guess people of Middle Easter heritage who are caught illegally on a military base might be considered terrorists, so think about it, and good luck. The adventure alone is worth at least one visit.

Additional Info:
Drive about seven miles north of Oceanside, California until you get to the rest area. Pull over and park in the back of the parking area as close to the chain link fence as possible. Do not leave valuables in the car. Take them with you to the beach, or better yet, leave them at home. When no one is looking, throw your board over the fence and climb it. Wear shoes. Follow the tank path (that's right, tank path) under the freeway and down to the ocean (about a fifteen minute walk). Hide from any Marines you see along the way, especially after September 11th. Hide your towel in the bushes near the beach, and move quickly. Get out there and surf. Don't go unless you are an experienced surfer, because no one is around to save you when things get bleak.

Location

Access

Twenty miles of wide, sandy beaches with only the Marines to share with, and they are in amphibious tanks. Talk about a longboard!

Wave Characteristics

Ideal Conditions

Crowd

Dangers

Man-made danger (buoys etc..), Private beach, Localism

Videos

None