Asilomar State Beach
Along Sunset Drive, Pacific Grove, (831) 646‑6440, parks.ca.gov
John Steinbeck was a skilled sailor attuned to the machinations of tides and swells, just like modern‑day surfers. When the surf is small, Asilomar is great for learning to paddle through the whitewater and to attempt standing up. When the surf gets bigger, finding a channel to paddle through is a challenge unto itself for experienced surfers aiming to get outside to catch peaks for open‑faced rides. On the biggest of big days when the beach break is closing out, the outer reef might wake up where 30 – to 50‑foot waves have been ridden. Even if you don’t surf, watching surfers walk on water is peak people watching.