Surfing at Bolsa Chica

Bolsa Chica State Beach is one of Orange County's well-known surf spots. California State Parks says the beach "consistently draws prime waves," with surf breaks in shallower water that make the incoming waves curl as they crest. Surfing and windsurfing are listed activities, the State Parks page links a live surf report, and State Parks lifeguards patrol the beach year-round.

What the Surf Is Like

State Parks describes Bolsa Chica as a beach that "consistently draws prime waves and surf breaks in shallower water," which causes the incoming waves to form a curled shape as they crest. That is the reason the beach is so popular with surfers. Surfing and windsurfing are both on the park's official activity list.

This site does not post a wave forecast. For today's conditions, use the Live Surf Report (a Huntington Beach report) shown on the California State Parks Bolsa Chica page, or check with the lifeguards on the beach. State Parks safety tips say to ask the lifeguards about ocean conditions before going in.

Lifeguards and Safety

Lifeguards at Bolsa Chica are from the California State Parks Lifeguard Service. They patrol the beach year-round, and the lifeguard towers are staffed roughly from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. More on swimming and lifeguards.

Safety tips State Parks prints for the beach:

• Swim near a lifeguard, and never swim alone.
• If a rip current pulls you away from shore, don't panic. Swim toward shore at a 45-degree angle.
• Never dive into shallow water, and use extreme caution in the surf.
• Report unsafe conditions to a lifeguard right away.

Boards, Floats and What Is Banned

Non-Coast Guard-approved flotation devices are prohibited: inflatable floats, boats, pool toys, tubes, rafts, loungers and kayaks. Surfboards and windsurfers are not on that list.

Drones are banned inside the park, so leave the camera drone at home unless you have a California film permit.

Where to Park and Rinse Off

Every day-use lot sits right behind the sand along the multi-use trail, and every lot connects to the trail. Accessible outdoor rinse showers are between each lot next to the trail and restrooms. Parking is $15 per vehicle, or $20 on summer weekends and holidays (hours and fees).

Beach City Provisions, the oceanfront concession, offers bike and beach rentals and a beach store (food and drink). State Parks does not say whether surfboards are among the rentals, so check with them first.

Surf City History

Bolsa Chica sits on the north side of Huntington Beach, the city known as Surf City USA. California State Parks' Huntington State Beach page tells the story: in 1910 city founder Henry Huntington hired Hawaiian-born surfer George Freeth, "the father of modern surfing," to show off wave riding on a long wooden board. Duke Kahanamoku surfed at the Huntington Beach Pier in 1925, and the first West Coast Surfing Championship was held at Huntington in 1959.

Huntington City Beach begins at the south end of Bolsa Chica, and the Huntington Beach Pier is farther south along the same beachside trail (State Parks campground map).

Good For / Maybe Skip If

Good for: surfers looking for consistent, curling waves, with parking, showers and lifeguards close by.

Maybe skip if: you want calm water for a raft or float. Inflatables that are not Coast Guard-approved are banned. A fire ring and the bike path are the calmer options.