San Simeon Creek (San Simeon)
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Ocean, Mixed
- Spot Type
- Quiet
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
San Simeon Creek is an exposed beach-and-reef surf spot near San Simeon, positioned so it can pick up southwest to west/northwest swells. The spot is described as beach and reef break with inconsistent surf, and it can be sensitive to wind direction: northeast winds are offshore and help conditions, while prevailing northwest winds can blow it out. Most reports emphasize mid tide as the most productive window. Waves are generally short and punchy, with riders often seeing closeouts as swell increases; when swell gets too large, the break can become messy and close out frequently. Overall wave quality is characterized as average due to the spot’s tendency toward variability. Safety is a priority here. Rocks and sharks are reported hazards, and rip currents can occur, especially during larger swells. Check the creek mouth/sandbars after winter storms because the outlet frequently shifts, and consider going early in the day before the prevailing northwest wind strengthens. Water is cold year-round, so expect full exposure protection. A spring wetsuit is commonly recommended, and a 4/3mm wetsuit is also reported as suitable for most sessions; boots and a hood are often used in winter and spring. The spot is within a State Park, so follow posted regulations and be prepared for limited on-site services.
- Offshore northeast winds improve surf conditions.
- Exposed beach-and-reef layout creates short, punchy waves and frequent closeouts.
- Cold year-round water; wetsuit required.
- Rocks, sharks, and rip currents increase risk, especially on larger days.
- Offshore northeast winds can create favorable conditions.
- Can offer both left and right peaks when swell and wind align.
- Works from summer through winter with best surf conditions reported in summer/autumn windows.
- Exposed and inconsistent surf (often short/punchy rides).
- Rocks and sharks are reported hazards.
- Cold water; proper wetsuit and exposure protection are important year-round.
- Rip currents can occur, especially during larger swells.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NE
- Offshore directions
- NE
- Wind Range
- 10–20 kts
- Wind Type
- Gradient — Gradient-type wind is reported; winds are often described as sensitive/exposed and direction-dependent.
- Reliability
- low
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Reported as moderate gusts.
- Best Months
- October, November, December, January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September
- Shadow Zones
- Nearby bluffs can provide some protection from North winds.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Ocean, Mixed
- Beach
- Sand — Sand beach with sandbars and reef patches near the creek outlet.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Medium — Reported as medium.
- Launch
- Medium — Beach access via staircase to sand; sandy entry with some rocky patches near the creek mouth.
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate — Some sources rate launch difficulty as easy; other sources describe it as moderate due to entry/rocky patches. Net: moderate.
Through the year
Generally low to moderate; busier on weekends and during summer holidays
Winter months from December to March
By sport
What to expect for each.
Exposed beach and reef break with inconsistent surf; can offer left and right peaks when conditions align.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- W, WNW, SW, WSW
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Mid tide is reported as best.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed coastline with limited shelter from wind/swell.
- Wind Effect
- Northeast winds are offshore and ideal, while prevailing Northwest winds can blow it out and make conditions highly sensitive.
- Bigger Swell
- Can become messy and close out frequently when swell exceeds 3 meters.
- Wave Quality
- Average — Wave quality is reported as average/inconsistent.
- Wave Power
- Moderate — Reported as moderate wave power.
- Wave Shape
- Mixed — Reported as mixed wave shape.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Reported as medium peel speed.
- Ride Length
- Short — Waves typically produce short, punchy rides.
- Ride Length Details
- Waves are typically short and punchy, often closing out on larger swells; tends to become messy and close out frequently when swell exceeds 3 meters.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for San Simeon Creek (San Simeon) in the full forecast view.
San Simeon Creek (San Simeon) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–10 ktsGusts 17 kts
- Direction
- NW310°
- Strongest day
- Fri, Oct 2310 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.2–2.3 m9s period
- Temperature
- 11–22 °C
Over the next 7 days, San Simeon Creek (San Simeon) is forecast for daytime winds of 2–10 kts, peaking around 10 kts on Friday, October 23 with gusts to 17 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
- Sharks
- Rip currents
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguard presence reported for the spot.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue availability is described as limited; no dedicated lifeguard towers at most spots.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest major medical facilities are in San Luis Obispo or Templeton. Emergency number: 911.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — Primarily local/regional surfers; generally a quieter scene.
Rules of the spot
General surf etiquette applies; respect local riders. Follow State Park regulations.
- Located within a State Park; follow all park regulations
- Check the sandbars after winter storms as the creek mouth frequently shifts.
- Best during the early morning before the prevailing Northwest wind picks up.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- San Luis Obispo
- Nearest Town
- San Simeon
- Nearest Airport
- San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport (SBP)
- Parking
- Available at the San Simeon Creek Day Use area and nearby state park lots; also referenced: tiny cul-de-sac at the end of Pico Avenue.
- Public Transport
- Public transit is limited (RTA Route 15); a private vehicle is essential for most launch sites
- Access
- Take Highway 1 into San Simeon Acres, turn west onto Pico Avenue, park in the tiny cul-de-sac at its end, and take the staircase down to the sand. The beach is part of the Hearst San Simeon State Park.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Options include San Simeon Creek Campground and lodging in San Simeon.
- Food & Drink
- Several restaurants and cafes located nearby in the town of San Simeon.
- Equipment Rental:
- No rentals directly at the beach; available in nearby towns.
- Gear Storage
- On-site gear storage generally unavailable at the launches; most visitors store gear in vehicles or accommodations.
- Gear Repair
- No spot-level repair services reported; major repairs require trips to specialized shops in other towns.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at San Simeon Creek (San Simeon)?
The best overall months at San Simeon Creek (San Simeon) are July, August, September. The best wind months are October, November, December, January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September.
Which wind directions work at San Simeon Creek (San Simeon)?
San Simeon Creek (San Simeon) works with NE winds. Offshore directions are NE.
What skill level is San Simeon Creek (San Simeon) suitable for?
San Simeon Creek (San Simeon) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate.