South Beach is the main break of Del Norte County, located near Crescent City Harbor just off Hwy 101. It features a wide, flat, expansive beachbreak that can accommodate a variety of surfers. The north end of the beach tends to be more sheltered, making it a go-to spot during north winds, especially in the spring and between winter storms. Access can be tricky at times, so be prepared if you're heading out.
When it comes to the surf, South Beach works best with southwest swells, but south and north swells can also produce decent waves. It's a beach break that can handle swell sizes as small as 2 feet (0.6 meters) and typically breaks over sand. You can catch both left and right waves here. The best time to surf is during mid to high tide, while northeast winds can offer more favorable conditions for a good session.
If you're into longboarding, you might want to check out the annual October contest hosted by Rhyn Noll, which adds a fun vibe to the area and draws a crowd of longboard enthusiasts.