San Mateo
As one of the windiest spots in the Bay Area, San Mateo’s Third Avenue is an incredibly popular kiteboarding and windsurfing destination. Along with blustery conditions, this channel is known for its turbulent six- to eight-foot waves—making it a risky spot for beginners but a dream for truly experienced windsurfers. If you dare to brave the elements here, go with a friend and look out for the other athletes taking on the swells.
Coyote Point is another popular locale in San Mateo, and with a windsurfing school nearby, you’ll have everything you need to cruise around the Bay Area’s waterways. Home to one of the region’s longest windsurfing seasons, this spot can get quite crowded and parking can be a challenge, but those who break out into the open water experience some of the best windsurfing around. While the peak season lasts from April through September, March and October can also provide great opportunities for windsurfing—just check the wind and weather reports before committing to this coveted destination.
Cabrillo Beach
Situated southwest of Long Beach, Cabrillo Beach has earned quite the reputation as a windsurfing hot spot. With its cliffsides, harbors, and continuous breezes, this locale is surfable nearly year-round. The region known at Hurricane Gulch is a particular favorite, as its predictable winds take the guesswork out of a good day on the water. The westerly winds increase on this section of coastline thanks to its unique position, leading to a windsurfing experience you won’t get even a few miles away. The water also tends to be flat, so with little swells, windsurfers, sailors, and kite surfers tend to have little competition for the gulch.
Whether you’re a beginner about to set sail for the first time or you’re a seasoned pro with many years of windsurfing under your belt, California is home to locations of all kinds for improving your skills. There’s a unique combination of land, coastline, and river deltas here, so you never know where the wind might take you next, but it’s sure to be an exciting ride. If you’ve had the chance to experience these windsurfing spots—or you’ve found your own favorite destinations—let us know in the comments below.