At Cowell Beach (350 West Cliff Dr.), it’s all about the surfing. This West Side beach sits right at a crook in the coastline, which joins with underwater features to create a reliable small break that lures new surfers by the dozens.
The waves are low and long, making for fun longboard rides perfect for surfers just getting their balance. Because the Cowell’s break is acknowledged as the newbie spot, the often sizeable crowd tends to be polite to newcomers and tourists.