So Cal Surf Locations

[J.Napier]

Going to be in Anahiem later this week for cheer competition,and hope to get out to the coast to take some surfing photos.
I have googled best locations and got some info from southern californina surf forcast but it is fairly general I will look into it some more before I leave though.
My questions are, where is going to be the best two or three locations to get the best waves and action this time of year? Is there any other links that you can recomend to look at? Do you have any tips to share as to how to shoot (position) as opposed to wave? I have a pretty good knowlage of settings.
I will be using a 1DM3 and either a 1.4x or 2x TC withe my 200 1.8 a bit short but its all I will be takind as out of room in my bag for the 100-400mm and besides I will hopefully be using it at the cheer comp.
Also will be trying to stay form Newport beach to Seal beach and out there either Friday afternoon the 27th or possibly Sunday the 29th all day depending on how we do at the Comp.
It looks like maybe the Wedge at Newport may be a good option but it looks like a bit of a backtrack to get to if the swell is not that good this time of year, and Hunnington beach looks like another good spot.
I will will probebly start from the south and work my way north up the 1 unless someone has reason to do it in the opposit direction for some reason.
Thanks for any help and recomendations.
pacdzyne

[Tony.Ibarra]

Huntington Beach Pier (off Beach and PCH) makes for a great subject with a sunset backdrop. You'll get the best swells in the morning, and thats when you'll get the most action. I was in the water Saturday and the form was decent, but there wasn't much for size this time out. If you want to get the best surf shots, head to the jettys in the morning, and you can get some well lit shots.

[J.Napier]

Tony,
Thanks for the info, all our comp times are in the mornings but if something happens and we dont make the finals, I will get down there Sunday morning for sure. Thanks agian.

pacdzyne

[barno]

Here is the forecast for the week. Surfline has plenty of information for your trip. HB on the pier is a great option, Newport has plenty of fun beach breaks, and if you are up for a little driving then Trestles (20 minutes south) is pretty fun for shooting.

http://www.surfline.com/surfline/forecasts4/forecast.cfm?alias=socal&county=norange

[Trek_203]

Huntington Beach Pier (off Beach and PCH) makes for a great subject with a sunset backdrop. You'll get the best swells in the morning, and thats when you'll get the most action. I was in the water Saturday and the form was decent, but there wasn't much for size this time out. If you want to get the best surf shots, head to the jettys in the morning, and you can get some well lit shots.

+1 on this... I like Huntington Beach Pier. Each time I go there there's always a good number of surfers. Not just surfers, seagulls and pelicans are also present of course. If you're lucky, you might see these by the pier also :) (I think this was taken 2 weeks ago around 1:00PM).

http://i516.photobucket.com/albums/u321/211e500/IMG_1462.jpg

and here is my first surfer shot
http://i516.photobucket.com/albums/u321/211e500/surfer2.jpg

I've never been to Bolsa Chica area... but my brother said its also a pretty good spot for surfers and dolphins. I thinks that's about 10 min going north on Pacific Coast Hwy from Huntington Beach Pier.

[J.Napier]

Thanks evrybody I do appreciate the info. I was reading some of the other surf related post here, and it looks like they use f8- f11 setting. I normally shoot 2.8-3.5 for the bokeh and seperation that it creates. Is this good info to try and keep a greater depth of field for surf shots?
pacdzyne
Trek, I was kind of wondering if there woud be any whales to be seen this time of year during migration.

[Trek_203]

For sure it will be quite difficult to see whales from the pier. It's very rare they come close to the beach. The best way is to go for a short whale watching cruise. Here is a good link... tells you the number of sightings and dates: http://www.newportwhales.com/whalecount.html