The Best Coast?
It’s the ultimate civil war. Unlike any other state, any other region, nobody feuds quite like Northern Californians and Southern Californians. From fighting over who owns the real Surf City USA to who has the best waves. Who has better Mexican food? Giants or Dodgers? Los Angeles or San Francisco? There are so many levels to the hatred between north and south that many feel the Golden State would be better if one just seceded from the other.
The entire coast has a plethora of waves that all Californians should be proud of. From Blacks to Ocean Beach and beyond there’s no shortage of places to get wet, and the personalities you’ll find in the water are as diverse as everything else in the state. When I moved from Northern California to Southern California I had grown accustomed to all black 4/3 wetsuits year round and at least one grumpy, and I mean really grumpy person in each lineup. But south of Santa Barbara things are different. The Hotline and O’Neill wetsuit monopoly was traded for a bunch of people in neon wetsuits, and while the grumps are still out there they’re far outnumbered by the happy newcomers on Costco foam boards.
There is one constant in California though: Whatever you do, don’t ever call it “Cali.” Oh, and for the most part neither side really acknowledges that the Central Coast even exists. You’re one or the other. So…?
Those familiar with Ocean Beach know it can get heavy. Mike Parsons knows this all too well. Photo: Paul Ferraris
Rob Machado
Peaking: Peter Mel
Shawn Barney Barron – singular in style. You will be missed.
Kolohe Andino
Flea wasn’t really that sober yet, and basically I told Flea, ‘How do you want the movie to end? Do you want the movie to end with you dead?
Laird Hamilton.
A sea of teens kick up the sand at the chaotic 2012 US Open. Huntington Beach, CA. Photo: Victoria Smith
Steamer Lane, Santa Cruz going off.
