Continent
North America
Country
California (USA)
Next Big City
Los Angeles
Next Town
San Clemente
 
Type:
Ocean
Rider Ability:
Intermediate, Expert
Features:
Shop, Rescue, Food

Water

Type:
Flat, Small wave, Medium wave
Hazards:
Swimmers, Reefs, Stones
Quality:
Dirty
Best Tide:
Low tide

The water ranges from flat to waves (depending on swell). There is a reef that is great on a large swell with low tide. As Poche blows sideshore from the north (Doheny), the waves on the reef can be very fun if the conditions align. Otherwise, there are not many surfers in small swell (under 4-6 feet).

Beach

Type:
Sand
Size:
Medium
Hazards:
Rocks, Power lines
Beach Users:
June, July, August

The beach/launch spot is compact but sandy. There are some bigger rocks when you enter the water in front of the beach club that are exposed at low tide. Otherwise, no issues. Everything else is blackballed and watched over by lifeguards.

Weather

Spring:
Normal
Summer:
Shorty
Fall:
Normal
Winter:
Normal

South Orange County is very temperate and has nice weather all year.

Wind

Best Months:
April, May, July, August, September
Wind Type:
Thermal, Frontal
Best Direction:
NW
Main Direction:
NW

South Orange County does not have consistent wind. Many days it will stay below 10 mph. It's best to have a 20 m kite ready for this spot. When it's blowing in the spring through fall (about 5-10 days month) it will go from about 12-18 mph. Above that is pretty rare. After storms in fall through spring, can get above 20 mph. It's usually side onshore (northwest), but don't kite in South wind unless it's during storm as this wind is not consistent.



How to get there

Transport
Car
Access
Short walk

Take 5 Freeway south (from Los Angeles) exit Camino De Estrella, go right, left on Camino Capistrano which dead ends at Poche; or north (from San Diego) and exit on Pico and go left towards beach. Take Pico to Pacific Coast Highway to Camino Capistrano and you have arrived at Poche (northside of Shorecliffs Beach Club). Walk under PCH in the tunnel and you are there.

Extra information

Rules
Zones

No rules here. The lifeguard is fine if you avoid kiting in front of the blackballed area, so, don't do it! In the summer, stay away from the blackball area to the south. Otherwise you are likely to have the water to yourself. Only intermediate to advanced riders, as the launch has a power lines right behind it. So be careful on the launch.

Nightlife

Go to the bars in San Clemente for some fun.