Rincon Beach

I have seen ‘Bates Road’ Exit many a time traveling North of highway 101 towards Santa Barbara and each time it reminded me of Hichcock’s thriller: Psycho. Only recently, I discovered, Bates Road Exit also leads to one of USA’s and the World best surfing beach (24th Ranked) – Rincon Beach.

Rincon is split into Rincon Point to the South, Rincon Park Private community to West and Rincon Beach to the North. The Point is the surfers paradise. Alas, when we went the surfing season was over and the beach was deserted but we did see a guy spearfishing.

At Rincon Point, a recliner may seem like the most unusual furniture on the beach but I can’t imagine a better way to enjoy world class surfers in their act. There are a couple of BBQs and huts for shade along the beach. Near the beach is a memorial for a surfer.

The Rincon Beach on the other hand seems to be more laid back and a great spot for a picnic lunch or spend an afternoon. The beach wall provides airlift to wind surfers. We saw a couple of them.

The wide long beach has enough space for calm, relaxing spots….and not just to catch up on reading!! 😉 I haven’t seen “Nudity Prohibited” sign on a CA beach before. It tells me this beach must be secluded!

So if you traveling North towards Santa Barbara and stuck in traffic, as is often the case, Rincon Beach is a peaceful alternative. I think I will visit in Feb/Mar when the surf is high, watching surfers from that recliner seems cool!