Surf: General: There's a 97 percent chance that you'll be severely let down. Tides: Lower for the reef, medium for the beachbreak. Size: Chest high-overhead Wind: NE, E Swell: SW, W, NW Bottom: Sand and rock Paddling: Normal, but can be stronger on bigger days. Spot Rating: Fun. Access: Take Highway 1 into San Simeon Acres, where all the hotels are, and turn west onto Pico Avenue. Park in the tiny cul-de-sac at its end and take the staircase down to the sand. Crowds: Crowd Factor: Medium Local Vibe: Definitely there. Be polite. A more subtle form of localism comes from the resident elephant seals and invisible white sharks. Environment: Mostly clean. Hazards: Sharks. Nearby San Simeon has a big elephant seal rookery. Season: June-February