Moonstone (Cambria)
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Ocean
- Spot Type
- Moderate
- Crowd Level
This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.
About
Moonstone (Santa Rosa Creek) is an exposed ocean beach break in Cambria with very consistent surf across the year. The best wave formation is typically near the south end close to the Santa Rosa Creek mouth, where sandbars can create more defined peaks. For surfing, east winds are the key: offshore-from-the-east conditions tend to groom the waves, while west or northwest winds can make the face choppy. The spot is generally described as hollow and sectiony, with hollow/sectiony qualities especially when the waves are smaller. Swell-wise, the spot is commonly reported to work best with peaky west-to-northwest (and also southwest/southwest-leaning) swell directions. The typical working swell window is around 1 to 2.5 meters, and the ideal water level is described as low-to-mid to mid tide depending on the source and sandbar setup. Safety is a major consideration: rocks and strong rip currents are common near the creek mouth and rocky areas, and sharks are listed among the hazards. Cold water conditions are expected year-round, so wetsuit and appropriate winter foot/head protection are strongly recommended. Access is straightforward from Moonstone Beach Drive with beach entry via boardwalks, and parking is available along the road, but lifeguards are not present—so plan conservatively.
- Very consistent surf year-round
- East offshore winds for cleanest waves
- Best wave formation near the Santa Rosa Creek mouth
- Very consistent surf year-round.
- Best waves often form near the Santa Rosa Creek mouth due to sandbars.
- Works with west/northwest/southwest swells around the 1 to 2.5 m range (when lined up with the right wind/tide).
- Exposed to wind; requires east offshore winds for cleaner waves.
- Hazards include rocks, kelp, and strong rip currents near the creek mouth.
- Conditions can become choppy onshore (especially west/northwest winds).
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- E, NE
- Offshore directions
- E
- Wind Range
- 10–20 kts
- Wind Type
- Sea breeze — East winds are best for clean offshore surf conditions; also noted afternoon sea-breeze behavior.
- Reliability
- moderate
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Gustiness described as moderate.
- Best Months
- January
- Shadow Zones
- Bluffs can provide minor protection from light North winds.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Ocean
- Beach
- Sand — Also described as mixed.
- Beach Size
- Tidal
- Waves
- Flat — One source describes flat wave size in the guide; other surfing conditions describe working surf around 1 to 2.5 m with hollow/sectiony waves.
- Chop Level
- Moderate chop — Choppy when winds turn onshore (west/northwest); cleaner with east offshore wind.
- Launch
- Medium — Launch is described as a narrow beach area with pebbles and sandbars near the creek mouth.
Through the year
Can be moderately crowded on weekends and during summer holidays.
December through March
By sport
What to expect for each.
Exposed beach break with very consistent surf year-round. Best shaped waves often form near the Santa Rosa Creek mouth where sandbars create better-defined peaks; waves can be sectiony.
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- W, NW, SW
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Sources conflict slightly: one also recommends low-to-mid tide for optimal access to surfable waves.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Open/exposed coastline.
- Wind Effect
- Offshore winds from the east groom the waves; onshore west/northwest winds can make conditions choppy.
- Bigger Swell
- On very large swells it can close out or become heavy and difficult to manage.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Can vary; described as good to average depending on wind/swell.
- Wave Power
- Moderate
- Wave Shape
- Hollow — Described as hollow and sectiony, with hollow/sectiony waves especially when smaller.
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Medium — Notes mention long rides and decent rides on the right sandbars; often sectiony.
- Ride Length Details
- Long rides are reported; the right-hand sandbars/peaks can provide decent rides, though they’re often sectiony.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Moonstone (Cambria) in the full forecast view.
Moonstone (Cambria) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–9 ktsGusts 14 kts
- Direction
- NW307°
- Strongest day
- Wed, Oct 289 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.2–2.3 m9s period
- Temperature
- 12–22 °C
Over the next 7 days, Moonstone (Cambria) is forecast for daytime winds of 2–9 kts, peaking around 9 kts on Wednesday, October 28 with gusts to 14 kts. The prevailing direction is NW. Waves run 1.2–2.3 m with a period of about 9s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
Other spots in the area
What to know before you launch
Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.
Hazards
- Rocks
- Rip currents
- Sharks
- Cold water
- Kelp
- Submerged rocks
- Seasonal debris from the creek
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguards at the spot.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue availability is limited (no dedicated lifeguard towers at most spots).
- Emergency Info
- Call 911; nearest major medical facilities are in San Luis Obispo.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — Described as mild localism.
Rules of the spot
Avoid the launch/line-up when shore break is heavy or when you cannot manage rip currents near the creek mouth.
- Come at low tide to avoid shore break and reach surfable waves past shoreline.
- The creek mouth at the south end is where the best waves usually form, but beware of the rocks and strong currents.
- Keep an eye on the rocks at the northern end of the beach and near the creek mouth.
- Check water quality after heavy rains as creek runoff can be polluted.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Cambria
- Nearest Town
- Cambria
- Nearest Airport
- San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport (SBP)
- Parking
- Park off Moonstone Beach Drive by Santa Rosa Creek; free street parking and small dirt lots are available along Moonstone Beach Drive.
- Public Transport
- Public transit is limited
- Access
- Park off Moonstone Beach Drive by Santa Rosa Creek and walk to shore (several boardwalk entry points).
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Near — Numerous hotels and bed & breakfasts line Moonstone Beach Drive.
- Food & Drink
- Several restaurants located within walking distance along the northern end of the beach road.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Moonstone (Cambria)?
The best overall months at Moonstone (Cambria) are January, October, November, December, February, March. The best wind months are January.
Which wind directions work at Moonstone (Cambria)?
Moonstone (Cambria) works with E, NE winds. Offshore directions are E.
What skill level is Moonstone (Cambria) suitable for?
Moonstone (Cambria) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate.