Santa Barbara

Known as the 'Queen of the Coast,' Rincon is a world-famous cobblestone point break straddling the Santa Barbara and Ventura county line in Southern California. It comprises three sections -- Indicator, Rivermouth, and the Cove -- and on rare large west swells with the right period, all three connect for a leg-burning ride of several hundred metres. The spot works best on direct west swells between 250 and 272 degrees, with wave faces typically in the 4-to-8-foot range, though it can handle swells up to 12 feet. The prime season runs from late autumn through early spring, and the wave quality improves after winter rains spread sand from the creek mouth across the cobblestone bottom. Rincon is one of the most crowded lineups in California, with a deeply established local crew, so respect and patience in the lineup are essential. It suits intermediate to advanced surfers and remains one of the defining right-hand point breaks in the surfing world.