Isla Vista is a popular surfing destination located along the coast in California. It's known for its various surf spots that cater to different skill levels, making it a favorite among local surfers and visitors. The area is easily accessible, with parking available along Del Playa Drive, which makes it convenient to hit the water whenever conditions are right.
The surf at Isla Vista features various mushy reef waves just east of Devereux Point, which break about a quarter-mile from shore. These tend to work best with big west swells and low tides. Down towards Campus Point, you'll find some beachbreak that can get decent, especially during ideal conditions. Pescaderos, located at the end of Pescadero Street, is known for fun peaky beachbreaks that come together well with northwest winds and lower tides. Overall, the waves can handle sizes starting from 1 ft (0.3 m) and can offer both left and right breaks over boulders and sand. Just be ready for some crowding if UCSB is in session.
Another spot to check out is Depressions, which serves up average beachbreaks on the backside of Campus Point. It's best surfed during medium tide with smaller, peaky windswell. The preferred wind direction for most of the spots around Isla Vista is northeast, and squares can be a mixed bag, but with the right conditions, there’s fun to be had for surfers looking to enjoy what the area has to offer.