This is an interactive map! Use controls to pan and zoom this map.
Access
From I5 south of Carlsbad take the Poinsetta exit W to 101. Head S past the S. Carlsbad Campground. Park along the side of 101.
English (Translate this text in English): From I5 south of Carlsbad take the Poinsetta exit W to 101. Head S past the S. Carlsbad Campground. Park along the side of 101.
English (Translate this text in English): From I5 south of Carlsbad take the Poinsetta exit W to 101. Head S past the S. Carlsbad Campground. Park along the side of 101.
English (Translate this text in English): From I5 south of Carlsbad take the Poinsetta exit W to 101. Head S past the S. Carlsbad Campground. Park along the side of 101.
DistanceTake a car
WalkInstant access (< 5min)
Easy to find?Easy to find
Public access?Public access
Special accessDon't know
|
|
Surf Spot Characteristics
Surf Spot Quality
Wave qualityRegional Classic
ExperienceAll surfers
FrequencyRegular
Wave
TypeBreakwater/jetty
DirectionLeft
BottomSandy
PowerHollow, Fast, Powerful
Normal lengthShort (< 50m)
Good day lengthNormal (50 to 150m)
Tide, Swell and Wind
Good swell directionSouthWest, South
Good wind directionEast, NorthEast
Swell sizeStarts working at 1.0m-1.5m / 3ft-5ft and holds up to 3m+ / 10ft+
Best tide positionLow and mid tide
Best tide movementRising and falling tides
More details
Week crowdCrowded
Week-end crowdCrowded
Webcam url
Dangers
- Pollution
Additional Information
This is the best spot in North County for summer swells.
When it's working, it's a board-breaker. It can get very fast and hollow at low tide on a big SW, slow and mushy at high tide. Sometimes sectiony. Blows out easily.
There are a lot of stingrays here when the water is warm. Paddle out along on the north side of the north jetty.
Line up a few yards s of the north jetty.
If you can't find parking along 101 or in the parking lot at the south end of the beach, do a u-turn at La Costa and drive back north. Take a right at the first light, park along the street in McMansion Village, and walk 5 minutes.
There's a shower at the top of the path that leads to the campground maintenance yard/garage.
English (Translate this text in English): This is the best spot in North County for summer swells.<br /><br />When it's working, it's a board-breaker. It can get very fast and hollow at low tide on a big SW, slow and mushy at high tide. Sometimes sectiony. Blows out easily.<br /><br />There are a lot of stingrays here when the water is warm. Paddle out along on the north side of the north jetty.<br /><br />Line up a few yards s of the north jetty.<br /><br />If you can't find parking along 101 or in the parking lot at the south end of the beach, do a u-turn at La Costa and drive back north. Take a right at the first light, park along the street in McMansion Village, and walk 5 minutes.<br /><br />There's a shower at the top of the path that leads to the campground maintenance yard/garage.
English (Translate this text in English): This is the best spot in North County for summer swells.<br /><br />When it's working, it's a board-breaker. It can get very fast and hollow at low tide on a big SW, slow and mushy at high tide. Sometimes sectiony. Blows out easily.<br /><br />There are a lot of stingrays here when the water is warm. Paddle out along on the north side of the north jetty.<br /><br />Line up a few yards s of the north jetty.<br /><br />If you can't find parking along 101 or in the parking lot at the south end of the beach, do a u-turn at La Costa and drive back north. Take a right at the first light, park along the street in McMansion Village, and walk 5 minutes.<br /><br />There's a shower at the top of the path that leads to the campground maintenance yard/garage.
English (Translate this text in English): This is the best spot in North County for summer swells.&lt;br &#47;&gt;&lt;br &#47;&gt;When it's working, it's a board-breaker. It can get very fast and hollow at low tide on a big SW, slow and mushy at high tide. Sometimes sectiony. Blows out easily.&lt;br &#47;&gt;&lt;br &#47;&gt;There are a lot of stingrays here when the water is warm. Paddle out along on the north side of the north jetty.&lt;br &#47;&gt;&lt;br &#47;&gt;Line up a few yards s of the north jetty.&lt;br &#47;&gt;&lt;br &#47;&gt;If you can't find parking along 101 or in the parking lot at the south end of the beach, do a u-turn at La Costa and drive back north. Take a right at the first light, park along the street in McMansion Village, and walk 5 minutes.&lt;br &#47;&gt;&lt;br &#47;&gt;There's a shower at the top of the path that leads to the campground maintenance yard&#47;garage.
Atmosphere
It can get crowded when it's on, and it can get ugly when it gets crowded. Be prepared to compete for waves and deal with shoulder hoppers.
When Ponto is working, there are usually a bunch of pros in the water here with their full entourages.
English (Translate this text in English): It can get crowded when it's on, and it can get ugly when it gets crowded. Be prepared to compete for waves and deal with shoulder hoppers.<br /><br />When Ponto is working, there are usually a bunch of pros in the water here with their full entourages.
English (Translate this text in English): It can get crowded when it's on, and it can get ugly when it gets crowded. Be prepared to compete for waves and deal with shoulder hoppers.<br /><br />When Ponto is working, there are usually a bunch of pros in the water here with their full entourages.
English (Translate this text in English): It can get crowded when it's on, and it can get ugly when it gets crowded. Be prepared to compete for waves and deal with shoulder hoppers.&lt;br &#47;&gt;&lt;br &#47;&gt;When Ponto is working, there are usually a bunch of pros in the water here with their full entourages.
General
Beginning to intermediate surfers probably won't make the wave from the peak. Experienced surfers will amaze you with their ability to make it over, under, and around sections to make it to the shoulder.
Make sure the surfer who took off at the peak really did not make it before you take off on the shoulder.
There are a number of minor peaks a couple of hundred yards north of the N jetty. These are much less challenging and usually less crowded than the main peaks. These peaks are where the local beginners and kooks hang out.
English (Translate this text in English): Beginning to intermediate surfers probably won't make the wave from the peak. Experienced surfers will amaze you with their ability to make it over, under, and around sections to make it to the shoulder.<br /><br />Make sure the surfer who took off at the peak really did not make it before you take off on the shoulder.<br /><br />There are a number of minor peaks a couple of hundred yards north of the N jetty. These are much less challenging and usually less crowded than the main peaks. These peaks are where the local beginners and kooks hang out.
English (Translate this text in English): Beginning to intermediate surfers probably won't make the wave from the peak. Experienced surfers will amaze you with their ability to make it over, under, and around sections to make it to the shoulder.<br /><br />Make sure the surfer who took off at the peak really did not make it before you take off on the shoulder.<br /><br />There are a number of minor peaks a couple of hundred yards north of the N jetty. These are much less challenging and usually less crowded than the main peaks. These peaks are where the local beginners and kooks hang out.
English (Translate this text in English): Beginning to intermediate surfers probably won't make the wave from the peak. Experienced surfers will amaze you with their ability to make it over, under, and around sections to make it to the shoulder.&lt;br &#47;&gt;&lt;br &#47;&gt;Make sure the surfer who took off at the peak really did not make it before you take off on the shoulder.&lt;br &#47;&gt;&lt;br &#47;&gt;There are a number of minor peaks a couple of hundred yards north of the N jetty. These are much less challenging and usually less crowded than the main peaks. These peaks are where the local beginners and kooks hang out.
Comments
Please login to use this tool.
No account yet? Register first; it's free!
Add comment
Show all (40)...
Errors, Feedback
You can edit this page to correct errors or add new information. If you have any problems regarding this page, Send us feedback.
By Anonymous , 20-07-2010
pjl - all those pics are of Ponto. surf out here everyday and know from experience most people who paddle out wont even make the drop. If you surf here show some respect to the guys who surf here every morning, not just when a big south comes in. PS... Do not snake the guy wearing one booty