Bolinas

Bolinas, California, sits quietly along the rugged Marin coast, just north of San Francisco. Here, the waves roll in from the west and southwest, offering a mushy, sand-bar break that caters to both right and left rides; the best time to paddle out is during a mid-tide rising. While the wave quality can be sloppy, beginners find solace in "The Channel," where smaller, crumbling waves invite them to learn, while more seasoned surfers might seek the heftier swells of "The Patch." With the backdrop of a picturesque lagoon and a community fiercely protective of its shores, Bolinas is as much about the experience as it is the ride.