A SW-swell right wedge that fires off the jetty at Princeton Harbor when conditions align, roughly 30 miles south of San Francisco on the Half Moon Bay coastline. On the right SW or W swell at waist-to-overhead, a punchy little right peels off the jetty wall and rockets down the beach with surprising speed. Best on an incoming tide at medium-to-high, with E or NE winds keeping the face clean. NW winds are mostly blocked by the jetty, which extends the usable window. Most days it's small, inconsistent reform action, and the rare wedge requires patience to find. Bottom: Sand with some rocks. Season: July through February. Consistency: Light to moderate. Maverick's sits just around the corner, so when Princeton is maxed out, that puts the size in brutal perspective. Aim for dawn patrol on a mid-tide push after a clean SW groundswell to catch it before the crowd fills in.
Do not underestimate the crowd here. It draws everyone: groms, longboarders, bodyboarders, beginners on foamies. The takeoff zone is compact, so even a moderate turnout creates genuine elbow-bumping. On good days a pack of capable locals owns the wedge and they will make their presence felt. Come respectful, don't snake sets, and accept that patience is part of the deal.
Parking is straightforward along the highway adjacent to the harbor. It fills up fast on any decent swell. The harbor area has restrooms and food options nearby. Water runs clean but proximity to the harbor mouth means trace muck is possible after rain or high boat traffic. No major paddle-out hazard beyond the jetty rocks on the inside at low tide.
When Princeton is flat or blown out, the main Half Moon Bay beachbreak to the south picks up more swell and offers options at multiple peaks. Maverick's is nearby but is a big-wave venue operating at an entirely different scale and is not a casual alternative.
Forecast by Windy.app
