Windansea Beach – San Diego’s Surfing Jewel

I am lucky enough to live right next to one of the most iconic surfing spots in the world – Windansea Beach in La Jolla.  During the winter months the swell in the area is such that perfect 6-8 foot waves roll in gently providing some of the best surf in California.  In 1946, they erected a palm covered shack on the rocks and it became known as the Windansea Surf Shack.  Locals still take care of the shack replacing the palm fronds when they blow away in large storms.

The beach first became known because it appeared in the classic surf movie, The Endless Wave and was known for having some of the best surfers in the world frequent the beach.  The beach was also the inspiration for the “Beach Party” movies that became very popular in the 1960’s and Tom Wolf’s book “The Pump House Gang” was based on surf rats that were based at Windansea beach.  There is a pump house near the beach and that is why the book was called that.

I usually head down to the beach at least 2 to 3 times a week just to marvel at the sunsets and watch the surfers out on the break.  It’s a place that you probably don’t want to surf at if you are a beginning surfer and not a local.  They will literally chase you out of the water and there have been some violent confrontations at the beach over the years.  I love Windansea beach and I am so happy to live here.