San Simeon is a mixed beach and reef break that peels both right and left over a bottom of sand and rock. It sits low on the quality scale and lets surfers down far more often than it delivers, so it rewards patience more than a casual check.
When It Works
The break draws swell from south-southwest to west-northwest and is usable from 1.2 m / 4 ft to 2.4 m / 8 ft, with a season that runs through summer, autumn, and winter. The paddle is normal on most days but gets stronger on bigger swells.
Wind and Tide
Look for east-northeast offshore wind, with a workable wind window stretching from northeast to east-southeast. It breaks on low and mid tide, and a rising tide is generally the better call.
Local Tips
This is an intermediate wave that suits everything from shortboards to funboards and longboards, so there's plenty of scope to match your board to the day. Expect a busy but friendly lineup when it works. Keep the local wildlife in mind as well: there's a large elephant seal rookery close by, and sharks are a genuine presence in the water.
Access
Take Highway 1 into San Simeon Acres, where the hotels are, and turn west onto Pico Avenue. Park in the small cul-de-sac at the end and take the staircase down to the sand.
