Aliso Creek surf guide

Aliso Creek is a surf spot located in Laguna Beach, California. It’s not your standard surf destination and tends to be overlooked by many surfers. Most of the year, it offers a basic, shorepound setup that's more popular with bodyboarders and skimboarders. When the right conditions come together, usually just a handful of times a year, a savvy group of locals knows to check it out. The area used to enjoy more favorable conditions when the pier was still up, but since its removal, the bottom has gotten deeper and trickier.

The surf at Aliso Creek can be inconsistent. When it does work, you might find head-high (about 2.5 meters) to overhead (about 3 meters) waves on the right swell. It mainly handles swells from the South, South-Southwest, and South-Southeast, but every now and then, you might catch something from the West or West-Northwest. It’s mostly a sand bottom that breaks right on the shore, which can make paddling a bit tricky. For experienced surfers, staying aware of quick shorebreaks is key, and when it really gets going, you'll need some fast reflexes to dodge any neck-snapping moments. Checking the tides is important too; generally, low tide is better here.

The access to Aliso Creek is convenient since it has one of the few beachfront parking lots in Orange County. While crowds don’t usually form due to the spot’s inconsistency, when conditions are right, you might find some skilled locals out there. In terms of board types, it’s suitable for shortboarding, bodyboarding, and skimming. With the right S swell during summer or autumn, Aliso Creek can surprise you, but overall, be prepared for a chance of nothing surfable most of the time.