Surf: General: Drakes Estero is the largest saltwater lagoon along the Marin coast. At its mouth exists a good, though also very fickle, wave that can break during the springtime and early summer months. The quality of the sandbar can be undermined by a healthy white shark populace.

Drakes Beach is a shallow, hard-breaking closeout wave at the main point of entry to the south coast of Point Reyes. It faces south, so northwest winds blow hard offshore here. You can have a blast bodysurfing or bodyboarding into the open tubes, but don't plan on surfing here. It can occasionally be surfable during windswells, but your best bet would be to either hike south to the estero or check the north side of the peninsula. The scenery is exquisite, however, boasting an ancient and wind-whipped fetch of beach backed by chalk-white cliffs. Tides: Incoming high Size: Waist high-overhead Wind: N Swell: S Bottom: Sand Paddling: Not too bad. Spot Rating: Kinda fun. Access: From Highway 1, just south of Point Reyes Station, go west onto Sir Francis Drake Boulevard and drive 15 miles to Drakes Beach Road. From there, head south for two miles. Crowds: Crowd Factor: If the estero is happening, there will be people surfing it. Numbers depend on the day, weather, etc. Otherwise, it's rare to see someone surf at Drakes Beach. Local Vibe: Zilch, except for maybe a little tinge at Drakes Estero if it's going off. Environment: Mostly clean. Hazards: None. Season: March-May