Rincon is the Queen of the Coast—a world-class right-hand point break on the Ventura-Santa Barbara county line that produces some of California's longest, most perfect waves. When winter northwest swells wrap into this sheltered cove and north winds blow offshore, Rincon transforms into machine-like perfection, with rides connecting through multiple sections for hundreds of meters. The wave has shaped California surf culture for generations, producing champions and creating memories. The crowds are legendary when it's good, and the localism is real, but the wave quality justifies every bit of its reputation.
Water temp
15°C
Wetsuit
4/3mm fullsuit
Difficulty
6/10
Crowd level
9/10
Access: Park at Bates Beach. Short walk to point.
Forecasts are validated against real-time buoy data.
Peak: Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb
Secondary: Oct, Mar
Peak winter. Needs big NW swell to wrap into the cove.
Verified by Surfline spot guide
How well swell angle matches the spot
Wave height in the ideal range
Each spot has different period requirements. Points and reefs can handle longer periods than beaches.
Offshore/glassy conditions