Surf: General: The northernmost of the volcanic peaks spanning from the city of San Luis Obispo to Morro Bay, 576-foot-tall Morro Rock (also called the Gibraltar of the Pacific) exists in a state preserve for the nesting of the endangered peregrine falcon - so surfing on the rock's north side is the closest you'll ever come to this intriguing monolith. Because the beach faces due west, any and every kind of swell hits the sandbars of Morro Rock, occasionally converting an ordinary California beachbreak into a magical mile or two of feathering A-frames and vomiting tubes. But on a daily basis, this is simply another generic beachbreak with customary closeouts, rip currents and the failure to handle anything over six-feet. The farther up the beach you go, the bigger and beefier the waves become. There's a mushy left off the rock itself, but if you crave power and consistency, you'll scarcely be disappointed with the beach's north end. If the sandbars are formed just right, they'll manage big swells. The problem then becomes making it out. Tides: Medium Size: Waist high-overhead Wind: NE, E, SE Swell: W, NW, SW Bottom: Sand Paddling: Not bad, but can be stronger if solid. Spot Rating: Fun. Access: From the south, exit Highway 1 onto Harbor Boulevard and take it to Embarcadero. Hang a right and drive around the bay's north end until you reach Coleman City Park, where you'll leave the car. You can also take Atascadero Road. Crowds: Crowd Factor: Close to the Rock can be competitive, but you can always find your own peak up the beach. Local Vibe: The locals are mostly friendly, so smile and enjoy the company. Environment: Mostly clean. Hazards: Closeouts. Season: September-November