A valley-funneled beach break south of San Francisco that turns south and onshore winds into offshores, making Linda Mar worth checking when everywhere else is blown out. Best on W, WNW, or NW swells from waist-high to overhead, at incoming mid to high tide. The bottom is mostly sand with boulders and rocks creeping in at the south end near the Boat Docks. On a good day, specifically a solid NW groundswell with long period, the right tide, and light SE or S wind, it can surprise you. Most days it ranges from poor to so-so, and the water runs crowded with beginners, intermediates, groms, and longboarders. Bottom: sand with rock sections at south end. Season: September through May, though summer fog-wind inversions can produce unexpected offshore conditions. Consistency: fickle but accessible. Bring a longboard or fish on smaller days, leave the shortboard at home unless swell is head-high or better.
Crowded on weekends and good days, but the vibe is mostly welcoming. The lineup is heavily beginner and intermediate, with a strong grom contingent that is better than it looks. Longboard and shortboard priority disputes happen on quality days. Respect the take-off zones and don't drop in from the inside.
Pacific Coast Highway runs directly in front of the beach with multiple parking lots. Showers near the State Park section. A Taco Bell sits at the lot edge for post-session calories. Water quality is fair overall but sketchy directly in front of The Creek outflow.
When Linda Mar is too small or too crowded, Rockaway Beach to the north picks up swell a touch more directly. On bigger NW pulses, Ocean Beach in San Francisco handles more size but comes with stronger currents and wind exposure.
Forecast by Windy.app
