Asilomar Beach
Sunset Drive, Pacific Grove
322-8016, www.parks.ca.gov
Technically, the almost 1-mile fingernail of sand that is Asilomar Beach offers three choice surfing options. Little peaks of fun pop up on the beach’s north end at a spot appropriately called Roadsides, while lines of waves are almost always marching to shore any time of year at Asilomar’s main break. And a reef at Asilomar’s south end fires off left-breaking waves during large swells. No wonder it’s a top destination for amateurs and pros.