From Austin T.X. to the California coast move - suggestions?

Recently moved to Austin, TX from the east coast. Picked up sport climbing while here, and love it, but my heart needs the ocean grandeur again! So, I need help picking out an area on the California coast to live. Moving in July 2012, already have a job online so that's covered.

I'm a descent surfer and climbing ability is at a 5.10c - 5.11a sport after 3 months, advancing nicely. Ideally my new home would be within 15 - 30 min of both sport routes and surfing. Clearly the town having good food and a music scene would be a plus but not my focus.

I'll be visiting basically whatever locations are suggested in February to check 'em out. Thanks in advance to whoever helps out!

/ Bryant

Look for housing near this location.
mountainproject.com/v/santa…

Santa Cruz is of course a surfing mecca.

Castle Rock State Park is nearby - it has a little bit of sport climbing and a bunch of good bouldering on coastal sandstone. Fun stuff, but the park may close soon due to budget shortfalls in the state govt.

There isn't much else in Norcal at least that's close to the coast and has good climbing nearby. The plus side of anywhere in the bay area is that there's a bunch of great sport climbing in the sierra foothills 3 hours away, and Yosemite is only 4 hours.

You may have better luck in SoCal. And you wouldn't have to wear a wetsuit.

Explore the possibility of trad climbing... With Jtree (my personal favorite), red rock canyon, yosemite, and many other world class areas nearby (many of which I haven't been too), it will open a whole new world of climbing to you.

I learned sport and bouldering in Austin as well.

If you have questions about Santa Barbara, I may be able to offer some help (been here two years).

I'm in santa barbara and for a wide variety of rock its hard to beat it. The rock isnt amazing but there are tons of crags within 30min surfing within 15 and destination climbing within a days drive. I'm lovin it here. I just moved back from San Antonio about 3 months ago...Not gonna lie kind of missing diving for rocks haha
Best of luck.

San Diego should be high on your list, or Santa Barbara.
It would be a shame to move to California and only sport climb, imho. Trying to think of a surfing analogy to compare it to, but I don't know much about surfing.

Where will you be working? Are you looking to commute? This could effect your choice.

You may as well check the other Central Coast towns when you come in February. Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Louis Obispo counties are all very nice and have everything your looking for.

I recomend you check out Craigslist for the above mentioned counties for appartment/home listings so you can get an idea of what things cost out here.

davi.

garrett greene wrote:I'm in santa barbara and for a wide variety of rock its hard to beat it. The rock isnt amazing but there are tons of crags within 30min surfing within 15 and destination climbing within a days climb. I'm lovin it here. I just moved back from San Antonio about 3 months ago...Not gonna lie kind of missing diving for rocks haha Best of luck.

bergbryce wrote:San Diego should be high on your list, or Santa Barbara. It would be a shame to move to California and only sport climb, imho. Trying to think of a surfing analogy to compare it to, but I don't know much about surfing.

Check the MP San Diego page mountainproject.com/v/san-d…

Seems Mt. Woodson gets mentioned quite a bit in San Diego discussions, but I don't have any personal experience.