A mellow, protected beach break tucked into a cove just south of the small town of Caspar on California's Mendocino coast, this sandbar rewards patient surfers willing to deal with cold NorCal water. Best on NW to W swells in the 3-5ft range, with mid to high tide keeping the banks fuller and the waves more forgiving. SW winds are ideal, the cove offers some natural wind protection that cleaner offshore days along this stretch rarely provide. Beginners and intermediates will feel at home here. Crowds stay light most days, even on weekends. Bottom: sand. Season: fall through spring. Consistency: moderate. Bring a thick wetsuit and booties because the water runs genuinely frigid year-round, often below 12C in winter.
Weekday and weekend crowds stay light. This is a low-pressure lineup with no notable localism reported. The small scale of the break means it can feel busy with just a handful of people on a short sandbar, so be aware of spacing on rare pumping days.
Access is off Highway 1 south of Caspar. Follow signs toward the lighthouse. A small campsite and general store sit at the beach, making it one of the more convenient stops on this stretch of coast. Water quality is generally good. No lifeguards.
When Caspar is flat or blown out, the broader Mendocino coast has consistent beach and point options to the north and south that pick up swell more directly. Fort Bragg area breaks handle larger NW swells better when size is up.
Forecast by Windy.app
