Surfing is California’s official state sport, and since 2018 it has had its own holiday—California Surfing Day—on September 20. September is a pretty perfect time to celebrate, when sunny days and warm waters are still plentiful up and down the coastline. Make the most of the day by planning a trip to one of these iconic surfing towns, listed south to north, which offer cool things to do in the days around California Surfing Day and beyond.
La Jolla: Take a weekend clinic
Get some skills by booking a two- to five-day surfing clinic with Surf Diva, a San Diego–based surf school that caters to (but is not limited to) female surfers, offering plenty of women-only classes and clinics. The weekend or five-day clinics, many of which are co-ed, include use of a board and rash guard.
Oceanside: Super Girl Surf Pro
This surfing competition and festival in Oceanside is the largest women’s surf event in the world, celebrating female athletes and empowerment. Held annually, the free, family-friendly festival features top professional surfers competing in thrilling heats, alongside live concerts, fashion shows, and fitness classes on the beach. Visitors can also explore a bustling village of vendors, watch skateboarding and esports competitions, and attend speaker panels, making it an action-packed weekend by the ocean.
Newport Beach: Watch local experts
Go to the area between 54th or 56th streets on during the third week of September (check their site for exact dates) to watch skilled shredders at the City of Newport Beach Surf Championships. The competition may feature recreational amateur divisions, but around here—the home of the legendary body-surfing spot The Wedge—that’s still serious stuff.
Huntington Beach: Let the surfers entertain you
The Orange County town dubbed Surf City USA will celebrate California Surfing Day with an event called Stop, Drop, and Surf, where the local high school surf teams will be catching waves, along with junior high teams, kids and the local pros. Stick around for the weekend: The Surfin’ Sundays music series runs from June 14 to October 26—when you can hear live music at Huntington Beach Pier, with views of surfers in the background. It’s held right outside the International Surfing Museum, which is currently showing a cross-sport exhibit called Surf 2 Skate.
Malibu: Enjoy a classic surfer lunch
Any day is a good day to salute one of the few World Surfing Reserves on the planet (Santa Cruz is one too): Plus Malibu’s Surfrider Beach is a pop-culture landmark; this is where a real-life teen girl traded peanut butter sandwiches for lessons and became known as Gidget. Celebrate with the famed Ahi Tuna burger from Malibu Seafood. To conduct a proper investigation, sample classic beach burgers in other surf towns too.
Pismo Beach: Watch some great competitions
This Central Coast beach town is well known for its dunes (and dune buggies) but also has serous surfer street cred. The weekend after California Surfing Day it will host the F.G.R.’s Still Frothy Surf Festival (check their site for 2025 dates), which includes pro-am competitions and the region’s only Tow-At (jet-ski assisted) Air Show, which kicks off Friday with live music at Cool Cat Restaurant. Or, make plans to come next month for the World Surf League Pismo Beach Open.
Orange County: Rent a Surfari van for a road trip
Book one of Vintage Surfari Wagons’well-stocked VW buses to take a California road trip. After picking up your ride in Orange County’s Costa Mesa, you’ll have your pick of surfing adventures—head up Highway 1 to Big Sur, with stops at surfing hot spots like Carpinteria State Beach and Santa Barbara’s Rincon State Beach, or set your sights on San Diego County surfing meccas such as La Jolla, Oceanside, or Encinitas. Check out these other unique, surf-themed vacations too.
Carmel-by-the-Sea: Watch an epic sunset
Monterey County has a wide range of great surf spots—like Asilomar Beach, the expert-level Marina State Beach, and Carmel Beach, known as one of the area’s best places to catch the sunset. Fuel your own happy hour with local wine from nearby Carmel-by-the-Sea winery and tasting room Carraccioli Cellars.
Capitola: Treat yourself to new gear
Jack O’Neill was the surfing legend who developed the wetsuit, and you can see one of his originals at the Capitola surf shop that bears his name. Though the downtown Santa Cruz location closed in 2025 after 25 years, you can still browse the contemporary versions here or at the outlet a few steps away—or pick up great gear at classic surf shops all along the California coastline.