Santa Rosa Creek/Moonstone is a surf spot located in Cambria, California, right by the mouth of Santa Rosa Creek. This area features a pebbly sand beach that stretches about half a mile along Moonstone Beach Drive. Accessing the beach is easy with a paved car park located above. You'll find restrooms available, making it convenient for a day at the beach. While it's not considered a top-tier surfing destination, it can serve as a reliable option when nearby spots like Cayucos Pier aren’t delivering the goods.
The surf here tends to be hollow and sectiony, especially when the waves are smaller. It works best with peaky swells coming from the northwest, west, or south that are in the waist-high to overhead range (around 1 to 2.5 meters). The wave breaks are predominantly over sand with some rocks mixed in, creating both left and right waves. The ideal conditions occur at low to mid tide, with the optimal wind blowing from the east. This spot can handle swells from 3 to 8 feet (approximately 1 to 2.5 meters), so it can get pretty fun when the ocean's lit up. Expect a range of rides, from short, sectiony ones to some juicy gems when the swell hits just right.
While the crowds can be notable, the vibe here is generally polite, though it can feel a little competitive at times. It's popular among intermediate to expert surfers and is well-suited for shortboarding and bodyboarding. The environment is mostly clean, and there's plenty of room to spread out, but don't forget to watch for shallow shorebreak and other surfers when you're out there. Overall, it's a decent spot to consider when looking for something rideable in the area.
