Long Wait For Waves at San-O

Photo by Jacob Repko

Waiting to get to the waves, around dawn outside San Onofre State Beach.

 Forecasts of an abnormally large summer swell in Southern California, particularly the southern parts of Orange County, northern San Diego County and northern Los Angeles County, have caused surfers to swarm to local breaks.

At 5:45 a.m., there were already more than 200 surfers in the water at San Onofre State Beach looking to catch a part of this summer swell. Wave heights were averaging 6 feet, with head-high sets rolling in, and some slightly overhead.  

At 6:45 a.m., the San-O entrance was closed, causing a massive line of cars to sit and wait. Some people turned around, but for the most part the die-hards decided to stick it out--with their sticks. According to the guards at the entrance, wait times were estimated anywhere from a half hour to up to two hours for some cars near the back.

The weatherman predicts the swell will peak through today and tomorrow. If you can avoid the crowds, it should be a great surf weekend.