There’s something magical about surf towns: They’re laid-back, blessed with great waves, full of character, and sweet places to hang out. These 10 cool little towns, from East Coast to West are the best of the best surfing towns. Grab your sunscreen, and your beach essentials and head to one of these great surfing towns.
Haleiwa, Hawaii
Unlike Santa Cruz, you won’t need a machete and a harpoon to stave off the massive patches of omnipresent seaweed and flocks of sharks. Most of the year, you won’t even need a wet suit and, thanks to the abundance of reefs, waves are nice and consistent in shape, quality, and period. In fact this consistency even applies to the surf season. Locals get quality surf almost year round, with the exception of the Summer months—which are still pretty passable. Things you’ll want to be on the lookout for: skull crushing monster waves, shallow reefs, angry locals. For more Hawaii surfing beaches, visit the best surfing in Hawaii. Visiting Haleiwa? Read our Oahu Travel Guide for everything you need to plan your Oahu vacation. Best Area Hotel: 5 Star Prince Waikiki
Santa Cruz, California
Santa Cruz is a surf town that stands out even among other surf towns. A very chill, laid back place with great food, and plenty of primo waves makes this a top pick. Pleasure Point and Steamer Lane are both legendary surf spots—to say nothing of Mavericks. If you’re on the market for long clean rides, crazy consistency, and waves the size of yo mama then Santa Cruz is where it’s at. Surfing here ain’t all sunshine and rainbows, —there’s the tank sized sharks, freezing cold water, and the most notoriously dangerous venue on the West Coast – Mavericks. Visit Santa Cruz California! Plan your vacation by visiting our Santa Cruz Travel Guide. Looking for more great surfing beaches in California? Visit here for the best surfing in California. Best Area Hotel: 4.5 Star Sea & Sand Inn
Pa’ia, Hawaii
The gateway to Maui’s sinuous Road to Hana, Paia is the hub of the island’s north shore surfing scene and close to Ho’okipa Beach, where surfers and windsurfers have each staked their claims on the island’s big winter waves. Surf shops, small boutiques, and restaurants line the modest streets of this colorful plantation town, which retains an island-flavored hippie vibe. Vacationing to Pa’ia ? Visit our Maui Travel Guide and start planning. For more Hawaii surfing beaches, visit the best surfing in Hawaii. Best Area Hotel: 5 Star Montage Kapalua Bay
Encinitas, California
Encinitas is possessed by surfing and surf culture. Walk through town and you won’t find a single street corner that isn’t completely dominated by surf paraphernalia, long board themed restaurants, and legit surf talent. Not too surprising given that Encinitas is right smack in the middle of some very solid surf spots: Cardiff, Swamis, Trestles are all practically at its doorstep. Host to typical San Diego amenities like perma-sunshine, powerful waves, and beautiful women, you’ll never feel more at home. Looking for more great surfing beaches in California? Visit here for the best surfing in California. Visiting Encinitas? Read our Encinitas Travel Guide and visit Encinitas! Best Area Hotel: 4.5 Star Cardiff by the Sea
Narragansett, Rhode Island
The tall seawall edging the south end of Town Beach in Narragansett helps generate some high waves with a long, steady beach break that’s a favorite of local surfers from beginner to advanced, especially after storms. Surfing legend Peter Pan leads a local scene that includes summer lessons and camps. Step out of the waves and you’ll find a classic New England beach town with small inns and B&Bs, shore restaurants and clam shacks, and a low-key, family friendly vibe. There are plenty of great east coast beaches along with Narragansett. Visit Narragansett RI, read our travel guide for everything you need to plan your trip. Best Area Hotel: 4.5 Star The Break
Ocean City, New Jersey
New Jersey produces some great surfers. Specifically, the South Jersey beach town of Ocean City, which boasts more surf accolades than any northeastern surf establishment. Take Dean Randazzo, New Jersey’s only former ‘CT competitor, plus a deadly crop of aspiring WQS surfers. Even the local high school has won over a dozen state surfing championships, and despite some cold-ass winters, the locale’s consistency and nearness to ledgier surf up the coast puts it on the U.S. surf map. There are plenty of great east coast beaches along with Narragansett. Visit Ocean City NJ, read our travel guide for everything you need to plan your trip. Best Area Hotel: 4.5 Star Harris House Motel
New Smyrna Beach, Florida
Fishing poles, super swampers, and driving on the beach — you’re not in California anymore. This is Florida. New Smyrna Beach is a quiet little community of core surfers that pretty much have something to ride every single day of the year. Sure, there’s a bit of a shark situation due to the nearby inlet, but maybe that’s how everyone’s gotten so good at doing airs. Visit our New Smyrna Beach Vacations Guide and plan your vacation here today! There are plenty of great area beaches, visit our best beaches of the Florida East Coast for a complete list. Best Area Hotel: 4.5 Star Black Dolphin Inn
San Clemente, California
There’s a reason why the likes of Jordy Smith, Filipe Toledo, and Yadin Nicol (to name a few) all moved to San Clemente out of anywhere in America. Well, actually a few reasons. 1) Lower Trestles; 2) Close enough to LAX; 3) Far away enough from LA; 4) Did we mention Lowers? Quiet little San Clemente, sitting at the bottom of Orange County, halfway between LA and San Diego, actually has a lot more to offer than the A-frame on the other side of the tracks. Want to Visit San Clemente? Read our travel guide and start planning your vacation. Looking for more great surfing beaches in California? Visit here for the best surfing in California, or view the best southern California beaches. Best Area Hotel: 4.5 Star Hampton Inn & Suites
Ventura, California
Well south of Point Conception, the physical line dividing Southern California from the wild lands to the north, Ventura nevertheless does its best to stay removed from the hordes to its south. Ventura has enough variety to offer a little something for every surfer: points, punchy beach breaks, even an offshore, deep water reef. Don’t like the vibe at one spot? No problem, there’s plenty more here. Visit Ventura! Read our Ventura travel guide and start planning. You can also fine the best southern California beaches here. Best Area Hotel: 4.5 Star Comfort Inn & Suites
Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina
The thin strip of land far off the coast of North Carolina known as the Outer Banks can feel very, very removed. That’s precisely because it is. Rustic beach houses are perched on stilts with high tides nearly at their doorsteps. Each year, hurricanes come close enough to send the residents running. But few American surf towns boast the peace of mind like the Outer Banks town of Kill Devil Hills. That of course, is access to some of the best tubes on offer on the entire Eastern Seaboard. Sure, summer sees its fair share of visitors who want a taste of this town’s beautiful isolation, but in the winters? It’s just you and chilly, thundering peaks. Read our Outer Banks Travel Guide and start planning your vacation. There are also plenty of great east coast beaches along with Kill Devil Hills. Best Area Hotel: 4 Star Shutters on the Banks
Huntington Beach, California
The U.S Open of Surfing, held at Huntington since 1959, is the personified collision of waves, commercial stoke, and neon-outfitted teenagers looking for some crazy. Of all the cities on our list you’d be hard-pressed to find a community with a deeper appreciation for surf history, with names like Carroll, Fletcher, Llamas, and Nuuhiwa. It’s also home to some of the country’s most reliable beach breaks, churning surf year round. If surf is your livelihood, and its culture your food source, Huntington Beach is your mana. Looking for more great surfing beaches in California? Visit here for the best surfing in California, also view the best southern California beaches here. Visit Huntington Beach Ca today, read our travel guide and start planning today! Best Area Hotel: 4.5 Star Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort
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That laid-back but passionate surf culture is exactly what makes these towns so memorable, and you’re right, each one has its own personality. For beginners, places like Encinitas and Narragansett tend to be more approachable because they offer a mix of surf schools, gentler breaks, and a welcoming atmosphere. Some spots like Santa Cruz can be more challenging depending on where you go, especially with stronger waves and colder water. It really comes down to choosing the right beach within each town, since many of them have areas suited to different skill levels.
I really enjoyed this list because it shows how different surf towns can be depending on where you go. Some of these sound more laid-back and peaceful, while others seem a bit more intense with bigger waves and stronger surf culture. I also like that you included spots from both coasts, since the vibe clearly changes from place to place. Do you think some of these towns are better for beginners, or are most of them more suited for experienced surfers?
That’s a great observation, and you’re right—each town really has its own feel depending on the waves and local surf scene. Since some areas have more consistent, gentler breaks, they tend to be better for beginners, while others with larger waves and reef breaks are more suited for experienced surfers. Many of these towns offer lessons and beginner-friendly spots nearby, so it’s possible to find something that matches your skill level.