California is a surfer’s paradise. From big breaks at Mavericks near Half Moon Bay to easy paddle-outs at Lower Trestles near San Onofre State Beach, the dozens of iconic surf spots along the coast provide idyllic conditions for catching a wave. As the official sport of the Golden State, surfing even has a designated day of recognition, held annually on Sept. 20.
That time of year is no accident: September is known for sunny days and warm waters up and down California’s 840 miles of coastline.
It’s a great excuse to build a trip around surfing, or even just enjoying the beach and surf culture. Two excellent spots for watching the experts out on the waves are California’s two protected World Surfing Reserves, located in Malibu and Santa Cruz. Or, take a lesson and get out on the water yourself, in beach towns such as Santa Monica, Venice Beach, Carlsbad, and Coronado.
Plenty of California hotels embrace their surf connections, too, like The Surfrider, the retro boutique hotel in Malibu that is home to the Surfline camera that monitors the conditions at the world-famous First Point Malibu. (You can also borrow a house board and book a lesson.)
Nomads Hotel in San Clemente, meanwhile, offers room-and-surfing packages; and Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort & Spa in Dana Point is walking distance from Doheny State Beach, which gets a name check in The Beach Boys’ “Surfin’ USA.”
You can also join locals and legends in celebrating California Surfing Day at various spectator events—some on Sept. 20 itself, and others in the days and weeks around it. They all honor the culture, connection, and community—and even surf-loving dogs—that the sport has brought to the West Coast.
All month: World Surfing League: 50 Years of Professional Surfing, Huntington Beach
The International Surfing Museum in Surf City USA pays homage to the legacy of the World Surf League (WSL) with a retrospective exhibition chronicling the organization’s five-decade history. Walk through the museum’s brand-new location at the Main Street Library to view historic photographs, memorabilia, surfboards, archival footage, and personal artifacts that chart the history of the professional sport.
Sept. 5–6: Aloha Beach Festival, Ventura
This biennial community event celebrates the sun, sea, surf, and Hawaiian traditions in Ventura. Along with hula, Polynesian performances, and live music on the stage, the C Street Classic Surf Contest is open to short and longboard riders of all ages. New for 2026 is the Cosmic Stink Bug Heat, when competitors can let loose and catch a wave in costume or as a team. Proceeds from the weekend support Flow Surf Academy, a nonprofit that helps adaptive athletes experience surfing.
Sept. 10–13: U.S. Open Adaptive Surfing Championships, Oceanside
Elite adaptive athletes gather on the north side of Oceanside Pier for the final event of the championship world tour. Nine divisions include contests for wave skiing, standing, kneeling, and assisted and unassisted prone surfing, as well as competitions for the blind and visually impaired.
Sept. 11–20: Lexus Trestles Pro, San Clemente
A key stop on the World Surf League Championship Tour, this event gathers some of the sport’s best athletes to tackle waves at a future 2028 Olympic Games site. Located at San Onofre State Beach, Lower Trestles in San Clemente is known for its consistent breaks and serves as the final regular-season event on the tour before the competitive field narrows.
Sept. 12: OMBAC Classic Longboard Surfing Contest, San Diego
This old-school competition in Pacific Beach dates back to the 1960s when longboards dominated the sport. These days the surfers are required to ride longboards from 1969 or earlier as they compete in three divisions for varying skill levels and ages. Check out the vintage boards displayed just north of Crystal Pier, which connects to a 3.5-mile coastal boardwalk.
Sept. 12–19: Sessions Surf Festival, Encinitas
The weeklong celebration takes place on and off the water around Encinitas, home to popular surf spots like Seaside Reef in Cardiff State Beach. Check out the opening-day music festival on the beach, along with surf film screenings and panel conversations at the nearby La Paloma Theatre, plus a pop-up gallery featuring 10 artists throughout the week. On Sept. 13, head to Seaside Reef for a community beach day that includes a free surf contest with multiple divisions.
Sept. 13: Ken Whalen Surf Challenge, San Diego
Named for a San Diego local who grew up riding the waves in Mission Beach and La Jolla, this free tournament invites kids of all abilities ages 3–14, including adaptive surfers from the Challenged Athletes Foundation. It’s a welcoming space for beginning and intermediate surfers to get their feet wet while making memories on the shore with their families.
Sept. 13: Surf Dog Surf-a-Thon, Del Mar
Hang 10 with man’s best friend at Del Mar Dog Beach in North San Diego County, where dozens of pups angle for top honors in their weight class. Judges will score their ability to ride the waves and stay on the board, adding extra points for flair—including costumes, tricks, and tandem rides. This year also includes a “classic Americana” costume contest.
Sept: 18–20: Surfing Heritage and Cultural Center Grand Opening, Laguna Beach
Opening just in time for California Surfing Day, the new Surfing Heritage and Cultural Center in Laguna Beach tells the stories of the people and places that shaped the sport’s history. The 14,000-square-foot museum—home to a collection of historic wood surfboards, photographs, films, literature, and music—will open with a ribbon-cutting on Sept. 18, followed by a free open house on Sept. 19.
Sept. 19: California Coastal Cleanup Day, various statewide locations
Celebrate California Surfing Day at this annual volunteer event with hundreds of locations up and down the coast, including cleanups planned at Crystal Cove State Park in Orange County and more than 50 locations across Santa Cruz’s Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. A special event in Malibu also provides a chance for those with freediving and scuba gear to remove debris in an underwater cleanup.
Sept. 25–27: Queen of the Point Women's Longboarding Event, Ventura
This weekend-long contest offers a spirited celebration of board artistry, camaraderie, and California surf culture. Drawing competitors from junior to pro divisions, Queen of the Point showcases grace, style, and passion on Ventura’s iconic C-Street surf break. The pro division is invitation only; the amateur competitors' age brackets run from 10 and under to over 50.
Every Saturday in September: Night Swims at Palm Springs Surf Club, Palm Springs
Even California’s desert offers a few waves. Head to the epic wave pool at Palm Springs Surf Club for machine-generated swells that are great for beginners and experienced surfers alike. During September, the Palm Springsclub hosts adults-only twilight swims that include access to its lazy river, island pool, and the restaurant where you can purchase food and drinks.
