Once you start surfing, it can become super addictive; the rush of adrenaline and serotonin that comes when you catch a solid wave is unmatched, and you just can't get enough!
That being said, living in a surf town is every surfer’s dream. You’d be lying if you said you haven’t once thought about moving to a town that’s all about surfing. Being able to walk out in the sunshine and breathe in the ocean breeze anytime you want? That’s a dream even non-surfers have!
Luckily for you, the US has a ton of surf towns around its coastal areas, some of which are best known for their surfing spots and ideal for residence surfing in the USA has become a norm. Here we have listed some of the top 8 surf towns in the US you can live in by 2022!
Our list includes a lot of areas around the California coastal regions. Surfing was, after all, named the official sport of California. But our list houses surf towns around New Jersey and Hawaii as well. Hawaii tends to have a more cultural connection with surfing, as far as the beliefs of the locals run, making it an equally ideal spot for surfing!
So, without further ado, let’s begin our guide:
Encinitas, California
Encinitas beach city in the San Diego County of California is renowned for surfing. You can walk along the white sandy beaches or go out to legendary surf spots like Swami’s, an ideal spot for surf freaks. You can get inspired by the 60s beach culture, get hands-on access to all the surf apparel you need, and enjoy boutique restaurants and shopping spots, amazing festivities, and the exquisitely vibrant lifestyle. It is simply ones of the best surf towns in the US.
This quintessential surf town carries it all; surfing at its finest, the best surf breaks you can get in the waves, and amazing views along Moonlight Beach. Alternatively, if you are looking for a more chilling surfing experience, head out to the rocky shorelines of the La Jolla Cove, where only the professionals ride the waves.
The Encinitas community takes pride in its surfing history and has successfully preserved all the good bits over its last two decades of development. You will fit just right in with the community if you have some skills in surfing. And if you don't, you have nothing to worry about! Encinitas houses some excellent surf schools where you can take your skills to the next level!
Ocean City, New Jersey
New Jersey is home to some of the greatest surfers of all time and hosts a number of amazing surfing spots. One of its top tourist spots, Ocean City, is one of the crown jewels along the New Jersey shoreline known for its endless white-sand beaches and 2.5-mile wooden boardwalk. Surfing originally became popular around these areas of the East Coast, and it is still active to date, making it one of the top surf spots on the east coast.
Ocean City management is pretty serious about keeping itself family-friendly and ideal for tourists. Smoking is banned around all the beach areas, and you will rarely find liquor around the city. They are equally serious about safety on beaches and ensure all beaches are monitored by experienced lifeguards. In simple words, it is one of the best places to surf in US.
If you are an experienced surfer or a beginner, this surf town is the perfect spot to settle down. The area hosts several surfing beach shops that cater to all your surf rentals, apparel needs and even offer surfing lessons!
Huntington Beach, California
Right by the southeastern end of LA, Huntington Beach is known for its surf beaches. Bordered by the Pacific Ocean in the west, it provides the surfing community with 10 miles of uninterrupted coastline and an excellent climate for the activity; some even call it "Surf City."
Huntington Beach fully encapsulates the California lifestyle - sun, sand, and the ocean breeze mix in with the California surf culture. The Orange County Register called it the "Best City to Live in Orange County'', truly a surfer's dream city if they have a knack for the partying aftermath that tends to run on the beachside.
You can find a ton of surfing schools and surfing rentals, shops nearby - also why they call it the Surf City since it houses a lot of surfing accommodation on hand!
Haleiwa, Hawaii
Haleiwa is a small town located on the North Shore of Oahu, one of the most visited Islands of Hawaii, best known for its fierce surfing competitions. Haleiwa has a long history of surfing, and this laid-back US surf town is excellent for settling down if you’d want the ocean nearby at all times.
You will run into an amalgam of local life - rich in history and culture, exquisite restaurants, great shops for getting surfing apparel, surfing schools, artistic boutiques, and restaurants serving delicious local cuisines.
At the same time, you will never get sick of the surfing frenzy that has these people gripped. The waves along the coast are ideal for high-performance surfing, with waves rising up to 15 feet! Haleiwa also houses windsurfing and kitesurfing if you want to go for something a bit more unique. It is one of the top areas to enjoy the best surfing in the USA.
San Clemente, California
San Clemente in Orange County, California, also known as the “Spanish Village By The Sea” owing to its Spanish Style architecture, offers a wonderful experience to anyone who visits. San Clemente is also known for its San Onofre and San Clemente state beaches, hot spots for surfing activity along the coast. You should also visit San Clemente’s Trestles - one of the top surf spots on the Western Coast. In simple word, San Clemente offers the best surfing in California.
Not only does the Spanish style architecture give you a more suburban feel, but the city also comes with a variety of surfing shops selling surfing apparel, restaurants, coffee shops, parks, some of the best waves in southern California, and an amazing coastal view, making it one of the top picks for locations in California to settle in.
Paia, Hawaii
Paia Hawaii is a wonderful spot for beginner surfers looking to settle down somewhere near the coastline. The city has a history of sugar cane plantations, but that's not all it's known for. Around the 1970s, the hippies settled into the town coaxed by its affordable rent and nearby coastline. From there on, windsurfing became popular. Present-day Paia is a mix of them all, a cosmopolitan village hosting fine arts and impeccable cuisine! It is also known as the “windsurfing capital of the world” by most.
If you want to go to have a look at pro windsurfers in action, visit Hookipa Beach near Lower Paia and the Honolua Bay during the winter big wave season. The winter season is also when the area sees a lot more surfing along its coastlines. You will also find a ton of surfing schools that help you pin down surfing basics and maybe even get into windsurfing and kite surfing!
You can also visit nearby Maui, named one of the “World’s Best Surf Towns” by National Geographic because of its’ excellent surf breaks and laid-back vibes.
Malibu, California
Scouring the Santa Monica Mountains region of LA County, you will find Malibu, one of the most exciting beach cities you can visit! You will find surfers out about 150 days a year, riding along the coastal beaches. Surfing is as common as it gets in Malibu; kids usually start learning the sport at a young age - some even before riding a bike!
You will be greeted in Malibu by stretches of white beaches, a laid-back city, the sun, and the waves! (You will also probably run into a lot of celebrities around here, it is, after all, one of the hottest surfing spots in South California!) You can also consider visiting the Malibu Lagoon State Beach, the world’s first-ever World Surfing Reserve.
Santa Cruz, California
Santa Cruz is one of California's top surfing beach towns and surf hubs. Located on the Central Coast of California, 65 miles south of San Francisco, Santa Cruz is known for its beaches and off-shore breaks and high-stroke surf culture.
You can easily find a residence in the area, fit for every budget and lifestyle you choose, all with access to its great sandy beaches, redwood-covered mountains, and laid-back vibes. But then again, why is it so popular?
Santa Cruz is popular because of the moderate climate that helps surfing all year round and the diversity in its waves; you will get everything from gentle beginner level waves to adventurous crashing swells for more experienced players in the field. Santa Cruz houses a total of 11 world-class surf breaks, and all are worth checking out!
Final Thoughts
So, there you have it, the best US surf towns to live in 2022 and even beyond. Not only do these US surf towns have the best waves in the country, but they also have everything a surfing lover can need, from surfing rentals to surf wear to surf schools for surfing lessons. So, if you are looking to settle in a surf town, have your pick and thank us later.