Southern California has a rhythm all its own—waves rolling in, the scent of salt and sunscreen in the air, and golden light stretching the days just a little longer. It’s the kind of place where you can chase swells in the morning, let the ocean shake loose all your thoughts, then settle in with a notebook as the sun sinks below the horizon. If that sounds like your ideal day, these are the spots you’ll want to check out.
Here is a list of the best spots in Southern California where you can surf by day and find inspiration for your journaling by night.
Encinitas
A laid-back surf town with old-school charm, Encinitas is the kind of place where the locals know exactly when to hit the waves and which coffee shop has the strongest brew. Swami’s Beach delivers consistent waves and a stunning clifftop view for post-surf reflection.
If you need a quiet place to write, the Meditation Gardens above the ocean offer the perfect retreat. The whole town hums with creativity, from vintage record stores to small indie bookstores where you might just find the perfect leather-bound journal.
San Onofre State Beach
This stretch of coastline has been a sacred spot for surfers since the 1930s. The mellow, rolling waves at ‘Old Man’s’ break are perfect for longboarding, letting you glide effortlessly across the water.
With no high-rises or boardwalk distractions, it feels like stepping into another era—just you, the Pacific, and the open sky. After a full day in the water, there’s nothing better than propping up a notebook on your knees and jotting down the kind of thoughts that only the sea can stir up.
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Malibu’s First Point
Malibu is synonymous with surf culture, and First Point at Surfrider Beach is where legends are made. The peeling right-hand waves here have been drawing longboarders for decades, and the energy in the water is electric.
The beachfront is lined with smooth stones, perfect for sitting back and scribbling down the day’s reflections. Once you’ve filled a few pages, head over to Malibu Farm for a fresh, oceanfront meal while the last surfers of the day chase one final ride.
Rincon Point
Straddling the line between Ventura and Santa Barbara, Rincon is known as the ‘Queen of the Coast’ for a reason. The waves here line up in perfect formation, offering long, dreamy rides that feel almost meditative.
The surrounding cliffs make an ideal backdrop for those post-surf journal sessions, and if you need a change of scenery, the cafés in nearby Carpinteria offer quiet corners and warm lattes to keep your writing flowing.
Trestles
A little more effort gets you to one of SoCal’s most iconic surf spots. A walk through the winding trail from San Clemente leads you to Lower Trestles, where the waves break in long, fast-moving walls.
The secluded setting means fewer distractions—just the sound of the waves and the distant rumble of the train passing by. The driftwood-scattered shore makes for an impromptu writing desk, perfect for capturing the rush of the ride and the calm that follows.
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Sunset Cliffs
San Diego’s Sunset Cliffs is exactly what the name promises—a place where golden hour stretches out over the Pacific in the most dramatic fashion. The breaks here aren’t for beginners, but even if you’re just watching from the cliffs above, something is mesmerizing about the scene.
Once the sun starts dipping low, it’s easy to find a quiet spot to put pen to paper, with the sound of the waves providing the perfect background track.
El Matador Beach
Less about the waves and more about the mood, El Matador Beach is where you go when you want inspiration to hit like a freight train. The sea stacks and hidden caves make it one of the most cinematic spots along the coast.
The waves are punchy, but it’s the golden glow that lingers on the cliffs that makes it a dream location for winding down with a notebook in hand. It’s the kind of place where words seem to flow a little easier, the vastness of the ocean making everything else feel small in the best way.
Oceanside
Oceanside has a raw, unpolished charm that makes it stand out from the glitzier surf towns. The pier stretches out into the Pacific, a perfect vantage point to watch the waves roll in.
There’s a thriving creative scene here, with mural-covered walls and coffee shops that encourage lingering over a notebook. If you need a post-surf recharge, the local taco joints serve up the kind of meals that taste even better with sandy feet and sunburnt shoulders.
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Newport Beach’s Blackies
Newport Beach has plenty of surf breaks, but Blackies is where the pace slows down. The waves here are forgiving, the kind that let you experiment with noseriding and graceful turns.
The nearby pier offers a spot to sit and reflect, with the scent of salt and boardwalk fries hanging in the air. If you’re looking for a quiet corner to write, the beachside benches provide the perfect mix of solitude and passing inspiration from the steady stream of surfers heading in and out of the water.
Dana Point
Home to some of the most scenic harbors in California, Dana Point is where surf culture meets a slower, more reflective pace. Salt Creek Beach offers fun, fast waves, while Strands Beach provides a more secluded escape.
When the ocean has worked its magic, find a bench above the harbor, where sailboats drift lazily against the setting sun, and let the words come naturally. It’s a place where time slows just enough for thoughts to settle into something worth writing down.
Finding Your Rhythm
Southern California isn’t just about the surf—it’s about the moments in between. The ones where the salt dries on your skin, your hair stiff with the ocean breeze, and your mind clear enough to put pen to paper.
These places aren’t just destinations; they’re invitations to slow down, listen to the waves, and let the stories find you.
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