Santa Barbara Sandspit California Surfing

Santa Barbara Sandspit is spitting right hander that breaks on a sandbar near the entrance to Santa Barbara Harbor. It is a world class tube and for experienced surfers only. The big problem is that it only breaks about five days a year. It works best on a rising or falling tide. Best swell direction is from the northwest to west and the best wind is a North to east wind. To get there park at the Santa Barbara Harbor and go out to the end of the breakwall. It can get very crowded.

The Santa Barbara Sandspit take off is just behind the rocky end of the jetty. You have to make the wave or you will get splattered over the rocks and break your body very seriously. If you do make it past the Santa Barbara Sandspit take off, then watch out for the inside sections where it could just suck dry and they will end up scraping you off the sand bottom with a spatula.

When there is a huge storm swell then head for Santa Barbara Sandspit and you will probably get waves because it is so protected. A direct West swell will get inside the harbor as well. The locals will take off so deep you will think that it is insane but they will make it. Watch the backwash at the Santa Barbara Sandspit. And sometimes the current on a tide change will keep you paddling at full bore while you are getting no-where, only a bad back.

Santa Barbara Sandspit surf Resources

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