Surf: A sheltered cove with a hard-hitting beachbreak, in a pristine natural setting in the heart of the Red Triangle. Swells bounce off the cliff, forming wedging A-frame righthanders, which bowl into the inside. Shortboards only. Very hollow, very powerful, very shallow, and very sharky. Sea lions and elephant seals breed on Año Nuevo Island, just a half mile offshore. Best during peaky S-SW swells, and when the NW wind blows straight off. A popular spot, expect to find surfers on it, and they will not be happy to see you. It’s easy to snap off a fin or get hurt here, so be careful. Environment: Park beside the break. Restrooms and telephone nearby. Surf: General: You can see the reefs north of Ano Nuevo off in the distance across a field as you approach Ano Nuevo from the north. There also is a big left that breaks off the north side of Ano Nuevo Island. A lot of people surf the small right that breaks on the south side of Ano Nuevo Point. This is a state park and a place that is very popular with Santa Cruz set, particularly in the summer, as Ano Nuevo faces south and it can be the only rideable wave on the coast. There is a right that wedges off the stone walls, and it can be very hollow and very good. The NW winds blow offshore here, which is good, but the NW winds also keep the place in a constant state of upwelling, which is bad. Ano Nuevo is infamous for having the coldest water in Northern California. Ano Nuevo is the southernmost point on the Red Triangle. Tides: Incoming to high, for the bounce. Size: Waist high-overhead Wind: E, NW winds are offshore here Swell: S, SW, or long period W Bottom: Sand and rock Paddling: Not too bad. Spot Rating: Fun. Access: It's a State Park. Pay fee, leave car in parking lot and walk in. Crowds: Crowd Factor: Sometimes high. Tight area. Local Vibe: Sometimes high. Tight area. Environment: Clean. Hazards: Shark bite and frostbite. Rip-offs in the parking lot. Season: January-December