About

Beginning to intermediate surfers probably won't make the wave from the peak. Experienced surfers will amaze you with their ability to make it over, under, and around sections to make it to the shoulder.

Make sure the surfer who took off at the peak really did not make it before you take off on the shoulder.

There are a number of minor peaks a couple of hundred yards north of the N jetty. These are much less challenging and usually less crowded than the main peaks. These peaks are where the local beginners and kooks hang out.

Atmosphere:
It can get crowded when it's on, and it can get ugly when it gets crowded. Be prepared to compete for waves and deal with shoulder hoppers.

When Ponto is working, there are usually a bunch of pros in the water here with their full entourages.

Additional Info:
This is the best spot in North County for summer swells.

When it's working, it's a board-breaker. It can get very fast and hollow at low tide on a big SW, slow and mushy at high tide. Sometimes sectiony. Blows out easily.

There are a lot of stingrays here when the water is warm. Paddle out along on the north side of the north jetty.

Line up a few yards s of the north jetty.

If you can't find parking along 101 or in the parking lot at the south end of the beach, do a u-turn at La Costa and drive back north. Take a right at the first light, park along the street in McMansion Village, and walk 5 minutes.

There's a shower at the top of the path that leads to the campground maintenance yard/garage.

Location

Access

From I5 south of Carlsbad take the Poinsetta exit W to 101. Head S past the S. Carlsbad Campground. Park along the side of 101.

Wave Characteristics

Ideal Conditions

Crowd

Dangers

Pollution

Videos

None