How to Surf Rincon: Where to Park, Where to Paddle Out

Rincon is one of the most iconic surf breaks along the California coast, providing surfers with a peeling right that will drive you to the limits of your surf stamina.

Also known as the Queen of The Coast, Rincon is one of California's most coveted surf spots, due to its seemingly endless rides on a proper swell. This famous surf spot sits right on the county line dividing Santa Barbara and Ventura, giving locals from both counties a fair claim that this spot is theirs.

However, Rincon remains widely considered a Santa Barbara surf break and the best California has to offer when it’s working. 

Waves in Rincon

The Rincon ocean floor is covered with cobblestones, guided by a hooked bay, catching swells that cover this break in surfing splendor.

This arc-shaped bay leads the periodic bursts of oceanic energy southbound down the 101- Highway until coming to a halting crash at The Cove. Rincon works best with a northwest swell direction, as most breaks in Santa Barbara are positively affected by it. The cobblestone bottom can also be daunting for beginners, so it is recommended to paddle with caution. The best time of the year to surf Rincon is during the winter months, spanning from November to the end of January.

The waves can vary throughout the year, staying small unless a solid swell comes through. This means that most days out of the year the waves are extremely beginner-friendly. However, when winter swells hit the coastline of Rincon, waves well overhead will rise, giving even advanced surfers a run for their money. 

Surf Culture in Rincon 

The crowds can be heavy year-round at Rincon's point, making locals very unfriendly to newcomers. Even on smaller days, the three major spots that fill the coast of Rincon will be covered with surfers all fighting for a wave.

Years of crowds have made locals extremely eggy, meaning you should surf this break with a great level of respect for surfers with clear priority. Although, on smaller days this is not an issue, as everyone will have a chance at a wave-filled session. When bigger swells are provoked from the depth of the ocean, surfers of all levels are brought to the iconic shores of Rincon, resulting in a chaotic battle of skill over priority. 

Gear Needed to Surf in Rincon 

While surfing out at Rincon it is essential to wear a full wetsuit, especially during the winter months when the swell is the best. A 3/2 mm for year-round surfing and a 4/3 mm suit for the frigid winter seasons. Also, it is recommended to wear a pair of booties, as the cobblestone floor is known for being sharp and rigid. This piece of equipment can save surfers from bloody lacerations while attempting to paddle out. A hood and gloves are also a great help when surfing during colder periods of the year. Longboards and mid-lengths will work great for the soft peeling point provided amid smaller swells. Although, when the swell picks up a shorter board will be needed to keep up with the pack of hungry surfers scrapping for waves.

Where to Surf in Rincon

Rincon is categorized as a single-point break but is divided into three separate zones: Indicators, The Rivermouth, and The Cove. These spots each offer a different crowd and style of wave. This means that each zone is best for certain skill levels, giving everyone a chance to surf the world-renowned Queen of the Coast. 

Indicators 

Around the bend of Rincon’s point is a spot known as Indicators, which catches a lot of the swells that hit Rincon and provides moderate-level surfers with a solid left and right. The take-off can be softer here on smaller swells but during winter seasons it is advised to bring out a shorter board. To reach this spot, head north from the parking lot along the main trail to find a staircase that will guide you down to the other side of Rincon’s main point. 

Rivermouth 

The heart of Rincon’s magnificent coastal break is the Rivermouth, which will provide advanced-level surfers with a powerful right. This zone delivers long and fast walls that can take you down Highway 101 and straight into The Cove. This part of Rincon is also the busiest with crowds of up to 20 people on better days, resulting in flared tempers and threatening glares. Getting out to this circus of a spot is very straightforward, as all you need to do is walk straight down from the main lot and navigate the cobblestone until the tides allow for a ding-free paddle-out. 

The Cove 

The Cove is located at the bottom of the point and provides knee to waist-high waves, perfect for a longboard. This zone will be a haven for beginner surfers wanting to try out what Rincon offers. The crowd is much less irritated and will give all surfers a peaceful session at California’s most coveted surf break. In very rare circumstances surfers can get a perfectly aligned set that takes you from Indicators down to The Cove, allowing for a blissful calf-scorching ride, sending you straight home to tell your friends.  

What to do when waves are Flat at Rincon

During the off-season of Rincon’s wave-heavy shores, there is a plenitude of things that this area has to offer travelers. Many coastal trails cover the Carpinteria Bluffs, giving hikers a beautiful coastal exercise. Bates Beach is great for tidepooling, and the coastal bike path along Highway 101 offers stunning ocean views. If surfing is still on your mind-breaks that catch swell more often such as Mondos or C-street–are just a 20-minute drive away.

Surfing Rincon

Rincon is a legendary surf break that is titled the Queen of the Coast for a good reason. The peeling rights that this spot supplies are unmatched along this stretch of land, as long as you can manage the endless crowds that engulf this break on good swells. When this spot turns on, it is a magical embrace of ocean power, driving surfers to the limits of their ability. Patience is key when taking on a break as renowned as Rincon, as well as a strong application of respect for the other surfers around you.