WAVE ARCADE National Parks Series
Check out some of Ethan's own favorites this season.
Brooks Street in Laguna Beach, California
The rocky reefs at Brooks Street in Laguna Beach are a magnet for South swells and make this one of the best spots in the area during the summer and fall. The public art installation on the concrete step benches by Marlo Bartels serve as a funky amplitheater for those who'd prefer to watch.
El Matador in Malibu, California.
El Matador is a striking cove with beautiful rock formations, arches, and stacks as you cruise down Highway 1 through Malibu. It is one of 3 beaches within the Robert H. Meyer Memorial State Beach. Definitely worth a stop to explore and enjoy.
Fletcher Cove in Solana Beach, California.
Fletcher Cove, aka Pillbox, is a beautiful beach park that was carved out of the bluffs via hydraulic pressure in the early 1920s. The Pillbox nickname came from a lifeguard toward that resembled WWII gunnery emplacements on top of the bluffs. Another great North County beach where you can certainly find a wave or two.
Glass Beach in Fort Bragg, California
After nearly 60 years of using the area as a dump site for everything from household waste to automobiles, restoration efforts, waves, and time has transformed Glass Beach into something special. While the amount of glass on the beach has further dwindled due to time (again) and over-collection from visitors, you can still enjoy the curious beauty and history of the colorful pebbles along Mendocino County's rocky coastline here in Fort Bragg.
Hammerland in El Segundo, California
Like many breaks where human engineering meets the coastline, Hammerland is the result of coastal construction and armoring that killed the old breaks that were once there and gave way to something new. Hammerland isn't the most frequently breaking wave, but with the right conditions it can turn into a heavy, fast, and hollow barrelling freighter that will require you to pay admission.
Explore more collections by region and discover the perfect surf poster for your favorite beaches.
Explore all spots →Hoʻokipa in Paʻia, Maui
Known for its world class windsurfing, scenic views, and abundant wildlife, Hoʻokipa Beach Park off mile marker 9 on Hana Highway just outside of Paʻia is a must-visit on Maui's north shore.
La Jolla Cove in La Jolla, California
La Jolla Cove sits within the La Jolla Underwater Park Ecological Reserve, which is one of the state's most ecologically rich, protected marine environments. Visibility is often cyrstal clear and you can see all types of sea creatures including leopard sharks, stingray, garibaldi, sea lions, and even a sea turtle if you're lucky. The series of iconic, ancient sea caves along the bluffs, most of which can only be accessed via kayak from the water, attract visitors and locals alike all year long. Surfing-wise: during the exactly right conditions with a big winter swell, La Jolla Cove can also produce some overhead, really big, really fast waves that tend to draw out the area's best on their big wave boards.
Muir Beach in Marin County, California
Nestled in a beautiful cove surrounded by the old growth trees of the Muir Woods and a lagoon at the end of Redwood Creek you'll find Muir Beach. While it will be cold, there's a set up with some potential near the rock outcropping towards the northern end of the cove. Hike the trails with some of the best views in the area and get a beach fire going for when you get out of the water.
Oceanside Harbor in Oceanside, California.
The Oceanside Harbor is positioned perfectly to pick up more south swells than some of its other San Diego County neighbors to the south. Pretty much all year long you can find some fun wave near the harbor's jetties and the Oceanside Pier just down the beach. But if the surf's no good you can always hop on a boat, go fishing, or check out the harbor's many other ammenities.
The Banzai Pipeline in Haleʻiwa, Oʻahu.
A wave that really needs no introduction. The North Shore's Pipeline is the first entry in the Hawaiʻi Collection of the Wave Arcade WPA Surf Series.
Refugio in Santa Barbara County, California
Yet another absolutely beautiful stretch of coastline found in Santa Barbara County. Refugio is a righthand point break that wraps around a dramatic, multi-colored layering of sandstone and mudstone. Like most of the Gaviota coast, Refugio is the perfect place to time travel in your mind and imagine a much less developed and inhabited Southern California.
Will Rogers State Beach in Pacific Palisades, California.
You can usually find a bit more space at Will Rogers State Beach - whether that's for surfing, volleyball, fishing, or just hanging out at the beach. The beach is named after Will Rogers, the famous actor from the 20s to 30s among many other interesting things. Rogers' ranch in the 1920s consisted of over 300 acres which now make up the Pacific Palisades, Will Rogers State Historic Park, and Will Rogers State Beach (donated to the State of California in 1944).
