A state-park point and beach combo on California's rugged North Coast, Sue-meg (Patrick's Point) delivers two distinct setups in one stop. The Point wants big, long-period W swell to wrap around the headland and produce rights and lefts over rock, and works best at high tide. Agate Beach, a few minutes' walk away, prefers NW swell hitting the sand-and-boulder bottom at low tide. Both spots need SE wind to clean up. Head-high to four-times overhead is the working window, and the paddling is genuinely punishing when it's overhead-plus, so this is intermediate-to-advanced territory. Bottom: rock at the Point, sand-and-boulders at Agate. Season: September through February. Consistency: good when a real swell hits, quiet otherwise. Crowds can stack at Agate on the right day, so arrive early or head to the Point if you're willing to earn your waves with a longer paddle.
Agate draws a crowd when it's on, particularly on weekends and solid NW swells. The Point sees less pressure because the paddle-out demands more. Localism is generally low-key, but give respect at the outside boil peak on big days where a tighter local crew holds court. Show up knowing how to surf and there won't be issues.
Exit US-101 at Patrick's Point Drive and follow it to the state park entrance. Park fee applies. Both breaks are accessible from the park, with Agate Beach requiring a short walk down to the sand. Facilities include restrooms and picnic areas inside the park. Water is clean. No major hazards beyond the boulders at Agate on the inside section.
If Sue-meg is blown out or flat, Trinidad to the south picks up similar NW swell and can offer more shelter depending on wind direction. Further south, the Eureka area has several beach breaks that can handle smaller, inconsistent surf on days when the North Coast groundswell hasn't filled in.
Forecast by Windy.app
