Surfing & Rock Climbing

Forestvonsinkafinger wrote: ...california's surf is good in spots, but cold and shark ridden. And don't let people turn you away from Arcata, there is surf and climbing there, just not a ton, but the people are far more midwest in spirit than So-Cal.

Just got back from surfing 5-6 foot PB in San Diego. No sharks to be seen.

As to people in Arcata being like people in the midwest...I must question this...I've not traveled extensively in the midwest...but, most people in Arcata are not Republicans, or overweight, or even remotely interested in football :)

The only place Humboldt is like is....well, Humboldt.

Ian G. wrote: ...As to people in Arcata being like people in the midwest...I must question this...I've not traveled extensively in the midwest...but, most people in Arcata are not Republicans, or overweight, or even remotely interested in football :)...

Hey! I resent that remark. I'm from the midwest and none of those things. Oh, wait, there was a reason I left the midwest. What was it? Oh, yeah, because most people are overweight republicans who spend their weekends watching football.

EVERY YEAR WE LOAD UP THE FAMILY AND TAKE A ROAD TRIP DOWN THE BAJA PENINSULA. FANTASTIC SURFING AND TONS OF GREAT ALTHOUGH MOSTLY UNDEVELOPED CLIMBING. THE BONUS IS THE BEST FOOD AND PEOPLE ON THE PLANET. THE DOWN SIDE IS THERE IS VERY LITTLE INFRASTRUCTURE.

Perhaps I should have said less pompous and judgmental, though I was trying to avoid the double-edge sword.

Here's a better way of putting it: Arcata may hold more of a small town vibe than say Santa Monica (or LA), San Fran.

While surfing MB, I also saw no sharks, and had no reef to wreck on, cali is still on the great white feeding route, and I would rather go up against a black tip than a great white.

The SURF IS UP in my neighorberhood "Cousins" So merry Christmas to US all!!!!!

Mike that's exactlty what I'm talking about!
EVERY YEAR WE LOAD UP THE FAMILY AND TAKE A ROAD TRIP DOWN THE BAJA PENINSULA. FANTASTIC SURFING AND TONS OF GREAT ALTHOUGH MOSTLY UNDEVELOPED CLIMBING. THE BONUS IS THE BEST FOOD AND PEOPLE ON THE PLANET. THE DOWN SIDE IS THERE IS VERY LITTLE INFRASTRUCTURE.
Cheers! my new friend!
Olaf

By Pat C
From Honolulu,HI... was in Indio
2 days ago
move to oahu, surf all the time, and fly to the mainland when you want to climb.

WELL yeah Pat I agree that is the answer!!

Pat C wrote:move to oahu, surf all the time, and fly to the mainland when you want to climb.

How about move to Oahu, surf and climb all the time, fly to the mainland when you want to get some distance from the ground?

Olaf, any chance you could post some photos of the swell? I'd love to see the christmas presents you guys are getting.

I live in Santa Cruz and like the options. Surfing's excellent, rockclimbing is good. Last Saturday, I surfed (if you want to call it that.....I'm a rank beginner) at Rio Del Mar. On Sunday, we climbed at Pinnacles (East Side) which is an 1 1/4 hours away.

I know this thread might be a little old but if you haven't moved yet I figured I'd throw some info out there.

I've lived throughout So Cal (central coast, LA, now San Diego). I have to say that for climbing there is a TON in San Diego County. I don't think people realize how much climbing is down here. Look into it sometime man. Plus we're relatively close to some world class spots like J-tree and Tahquitz. (oh and of course the surfing is for sure world class, Blacks Beach, San Onofre is just 40 minutes up the coast)

Now LA is closer to some of those other climbing spots, but driving around LA freaking BLOWS! I lived in the LA area when I was in high school and drive up there every now and then still and I just can't stand driving around LA. But there is Malibu Creek and most of the beaches/surfing are pretty sweet.

As for the central coast, well you've seen what others have said about it. I lived up north of SLO (near Monterey) growing up and loved it. However, I think that the nearby climbing and surfing is still better in San Diego or LA (if you don't mind LA traffic). I see SLO as a little more of a place to settle down and have a family.

So there you go. My quick take on some areas of So Cal. Hope you find a place that suits you man.

Avoid San Clemente. Locals only, brah. If you can live in Riverside or San Juan Capestrano, you surf at Dana Point or Doheny then drive east to climb in Idyllwild where the first west coast classics were established.

Check out Ventura. Surf is pretty consistent. Close enough to Santa Barbara crags and bouldering. On highway 33 there are crags and bouldering. And the Santa Monica mountains lay to the south. There is some pretty decent rental prices to be found too just avoid the east end unless you're going to get tacos at lalos. SLO is pretty sick too but I'd look to rent outside of it. As far as Santa Barbara goes, it's cool but dude it's expensive and there's a lot of yuppie type folks. I moved out here from Virginia and the hospitality out here is far from cool. Hell some people won't even acknowledge your presence

Shhhhhh, Jeff. No ones mentioned VTA yet. Keep it on the DL. Lol

Australia. Anywhere near sydney