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Teiki Mathieu Baillan surfing a self-made Alaya surfboard in Macaroni, Mentawaï, Indonesia. Photo by C. Naslain, 2009.

Surf spot atlas made by surfers for surfers
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 Cardiff reef

USA, California, San Diego County

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Datum: WGS84 [ Help ]
Precision: Approximate

GPS History (1)

Latitude: 33° 0.91' N
Longitude: 117° 17.003' W

User rating (77)


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 Access

whoever wrote that the reef is accessible through the campground is correct...but it seems they are confusing the reef proper with Pipes...2 different breaks. The reef is accessible from the lot near the san elijo outlet, Pipes is further north, accessable from the north side of the campground. Very different than the reef. Pipes is mainly a left.

English (Translate this text in English): whoever wrote that the reef is accessible through the campground is correct...but it seems they are confusing the reef proper with Pipes...2 different breaks. The reef is accessible from the lot near the san elijo outlet, Pipes is further north, accessable from the north side of the campground. Very different than the reef. Pipes is mainly a left.

English (Translate this text in English): whoever wrote that the reef is accessible through the campground is correct...but it seems they are confusing the reef proper with Pipes...2 different breaks. The reef is accessible from the lot near the san elijo outlet, Pipes is further north, accessable from the north side of the campground. Very different than the reef. Pipes is mainly a left.

English (Translate this text in English): whoever wrote that the reef is accessible through the campground is correct...but it seems they are confusing the reef proper with Pipes...2 different breaks. The reef is accessible from the lot near the san elijo outlet, Pipes is further north, accessable from the north side of the campground. Very different than the reef. Pipes is mainly a left.

DistanceIn the city

WalkInstant access (< 5min)

Easy to find?Easy to find

Public access?Public access

Special accessDon't know

 Surf Spot Characteristics

Alternative name Suck Outs/Pooperbanks

Surf Spot Quality

Wave qualityNormal

ExperienceAll surfers

FrequencyVery consistent (150 day/year)

Wave

TypeReef-rocky

DirectionRight and left

BottomFlat rocks with sand

PowerFast, Powerless

Normal lengthNormal (50 to 150m)

Good day lengthVery Long (300 to 500 m)

Tide, Swell and Wind

Good swell directionNorthWest

Good wind directionEast

Swell sizeStarts working at Less than 1m / 3ft and holds up to 4m+ / 12ft

Best tide positionAll tides

Best tide movementRising tide

More details

Week crowdFew surfers

Week-end crowdUltra crowded

Webcam url 

Dangers

- Rocks
- Pollution

 Additional Information

Park your car on the street.

English (Translate this text in English): Park your car on the street.

English (Translate this text in English): Park your car on the street.

English (Translate this text in English): Park your car on the street.

Atmosphere

General

 Photos

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Cardiff reef
United States of America

 Videos

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No video available

 Comments

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By Anonymous , 19-09-2016

always crowded - too funny it sayss "few surfers" on weekdays here. bs. lived directly in front of it for a decade. it was already way too full of longboarders thee. once SUPers came along, it ruined everything. yeah i could ride a huge board and get waves, but i'd be surfing almost as badly as the rest of em. i rarely go there at all anymore.

By bonytony , 07-08-2010

Nice ride - San Elijo is often a nice spot for all types of riders. Being a squid, I'm glad to say that my most recent trip here was most enjoyable. Only a couple of bulldogs in the lineup but plenty of consistent chest to shoulder points. The lagoon entrance converges and sometimes gets choppy. Have also seen perfect mile long rights after dark in front of the restaurant next to the inlet.

Camped there on several occasions and the walk out to the reef is sweet.

By Anonymous , 28-03-2010

surfed out - hey im from florida.........what the hell is a janitor????hehe

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