Page 446 - California Diving and Surfing

THE RANCH Access to this area of
coast is heavily restricted. The only
people with land access guard their
breaks with such fervor, only a select
few get the opportunity to sample
some of its numerous treasures.
Without an open from one of the lo-
cal regulars, the only option is to boat DRAKES REEF & DRAKES POINT
in. The boats crowds, however, have
grown so thick that the regulars can
no longer harrass you straight out of
this multitude of world-class waves
along this pristine stretch of coast.
Conditions ebb & flow with the ever
changing tides and swells.
BIXBY/HOLLISTER RANCH (“THE
RANCH”) This is a sampling of what
surfing opportunities The Ranch has
to offer:
GOVERNMENT
POINT, a long rocky point right;
PERKO’S, a crowded summer break;
COJO POINT & COJO REEF, may
be the area’s best rights, up to double- crowded by virtue of the mushyness
overhead on a Baja Hurricane S swell;
ST. AUGUSTINE’S, a point and reef
break with head-high hollow rights
and lefts in summer, and fun wrap-
ping swells in winter;
still-localized even in this crowded
era, because it is a fine right peak
that works all the way up to 10’+, and
clean, long rights off of the point that ly forever. If you’re fortunate enough
can go double overhead or better;
RAZOR BLADES the very beginning
of The Ranch, which works on win-
ter’s consistent swells. Beachrocks
are sharp (like “Razor Blades”). Cau-
tion: Boating in can be risky, espe-
cially out as far as Government Point.
POINT MOLINO CANYON &
TALIGUAS The last spots the general
public gets to surf before Jalama and
T’s.
REFUGIO STATE BEACH Un-
of the beach break. Camp here, surf
somewhere else unless you want
family fun or are a beginner with a
longboard.
EL CAPITAN STATE BEACH When
it is breaking, which isn’t often, El
Capitan is a classic right point. On
a huge W swell El Capitan spits out
long, steep rights that bowl practical-
to be in the right place at the right
time you might score some of the
greatest rides of your life. Oh yeah, a
few grumpy, stubborn locals will try
to ruin your day, so exercise caution.
Best Season: Fall, Winter/Direction:
W/Size: 4’-8’/Tide: Low/Wind: NW/
Bottom: Rock/Rating: Advanced.
Camping available.