Tourmaline Surf Park

Terrible spot. Too much seaweed that the city manages to leave all summer to decompose, rot and smell. Guess they don’t want tourists there.

Great local surf spot in San Diego. Surf to the far right but be careful, there’s lots of rocks pebbles you can twist your ankle. But that’s what causes a nice wave affect. Ending 2015 with the Sunset winter surf

There is something about living near the beach that makes a person more relaxed. Tourmaline Beach is one of the beaches known for beginner surfers, and going here to watch them or participate with them never disappoints. Maybe it’s the chill vibe. Maybe it’s the people who come here to see and be seen. It’s always a fun time here.
There is a bathroom, which isn’t the cleanest one in the general area, but at least there is one. There also are showers for you to wash yourself off after surfing, and your board, too.
Lots of surfers congregate here every day, so if you’re into watching them or joining in, this is the spot for you. Be courteous of other surfers, because there IS an unspoken code of respect.
Dogs are allowed on the beach after 4PM, so you’ll find this an easy-​access beach for your dogs.
Lay your towel down on a sunny day and listen to the waves. Hear that? It’s that chill vibe I told you about.

Great place for early morning hill repeats, and there’s even a restroom that’s not locked at 5 AM like most of the other places I run! Wasn’t too dirty (that’s coming from someone with an innate fear of public restrooms). The only downside was that once we finished running, walking through the small mob of surfers that were smoking wasn’t super fun.

I’m reviewing as a newby to surfing and this location in general, as I’ve only visited twice.
I’ve only recently started taking up surfing. Having moved to San Diego, with all it’s incredible beaches and surf culture, it seems like something almost required to living here haha
That being said, I looked up a couple places for beginners and my search led me here!
Tourmaline was almost hidden! I wouldn’t even know to come here if I were driving by or looking for a place to hang out.
It’s at the bottom of a steep hill, with very limited parking space but somehow I’ve gotten lucky when I’ve gone. I’ll always see surfers carrying their boards up the hill and it would almost be discouraging having to do that lol #FatLife :p
As far as the surf/​beach here goes, it’s very chill!
Everyone I encountered was really nice.
It’s also great that they have shower spots too, for after you’re done. You can even wash off your surfboard so you don’t get a bunch of sand inside your car if you’re carrying it in there like I have to.
The waves weren’t overwhelming, and a lot of the regulars make it look so easy! It makes you wanna commit and try harder for it! haha
Just make sure you read up on surf etiquette. It’s very visible here and you don’t want to be ‘that guy’ who’s annoying and messing it up for everyone.
Overall, a great spot. I’d love to be able to come here more often :(

Total SoCal surf culture here. What you’d envision from a movie, but in real life. Fun place with more rolling waves which makes it great for beginners and long boarders. Lots of people watching and just hanging out and photographers. Cool vibe here.

Love this beach! While not a place if your experienced surfer; the smaller, gentle waves are perfect for a beginner, or someone like me, who doesn’t surf and not a strong swimmer. Nice sandy beach and FREE parking! Went with my husband, daughter, and son-​in-​law and had a great time!

Ugh. This was one of the grossest beach parks I’ve been to, period. Ancient, filthy bathrooms with one large dirty changing area, so absolutely no privacy whatsoever. A steep walk down to minimal parking. 2 – 3 feet thick of stinking, rotting kelp and seaweed on the shore with thousands of flies, and water that was about 1 part seaweed to 3 parts water as well. You couldn’t walk 1 foot into the surf without 10 – 20 tangles of 6 foot slimy kelp encircling your feet. The only plus was the water was warmer in this area and the waves would have been great, had they not been more plant life than water.
Ick. Ick. Ick. Very disappointed.

Great beach with some nice waves, but definitely has some pros and cons.
Pros:
— one of the best sunsets in SD
— sand beach (except the very northern tip)
— good waves
— has a parking lot and bathroom as well as lifeguards
Cons:
— sometimes gets super crowded and some of the surfers get territorial
— doggies not allowed for most hours of the day (this may be a pro for some)

For a beginner surfer like me this is the PERFECT place to go. It’s in a location where the waves aren’t usually very large or intimidating, the waves usually ‘roll’ instead of ‘break’ which is a great way to learn to surf. The other great thing that makes it perfect for a beginner is the beach is very sandy which means when I wipe out I have no fear of falling into a large rock in the water.
The parking can be a little tough but if you circle around the parking lot there’s usually people leaving fairly regularly.
Pros: Sandy beach, good beginner waves, everybody there understands that it’s a spot for beginners so you don’t get the hardcore surfers out there, lifeguard stations, restrooms and showers very close by.
Cons: Parking can be difficult,

Great place to hang out and catch some waves. Only downfall is that they won’t let the kids boogieboard unless you go south of the pier :(

Tourmaline Surf Park is no secret. But it is a step back in time to the surfing heyday of Pacific Beach, and it’s a great surf spot for both beginners and veterans of surfing alike. The parking area is a very convenient location in North PB. It is rarely full, except on sunny weekend days in the summer time. Even then, there is usually a short wait for a parking space.
Most surfers here are very accommodating, and you should find your place in the water somewhere to the right or left for beginners, and further out in the center for the vets. A longboard is most appropriate here, but shortboarders can find a break or two on larger days. However, shortboarders should keep an eye outside for the bigger planks that catch the wave much earlier. There are also several rocks to look for that are just below the surface in the shallow areas.
If you visit here, please be respectful of keeping the spirit of this area for surfers, and head further south toward the pier to park for the beach. Also, please respect the residents here too as most of them are just here to enjoy the area as well, and they take good care of the place. Aloha.

I love this spot. I’m not a surfer, but I love walking down here with my dog. It’s quiet here, away from all the tourists. It really is a slice of heaven like previous reviewers have said. There is a small parking lot that I’d easy to miss if you don’t know where you’re looking. I’ve always been able to find parking when I wanted it there.

I’m a beginning surfer and have tried various beaches looking for a good place for beginners. I’ve been to Torrey Pines, Del Mar, and PB and feel as if I’ve finally found the «perfect» beach for beginners.
I love that there is a parking lot (though full both times I’ve been there) there is more parking up the hill nearby. There are bathrooms complete with a changing area and showers. There isn’t much «beach» when the tide is high, but it’s great for going out to surf. When it comes to the waves/​set up I am no expert, but I love how it feels there are two breaks at this beach, one farther out for more advanced surfers, and one a shorter distance from the beach that is good for beginners.
The best part is that Oscars is right around the corner, if you need an after surfing snack.

We have been here many times now.
So this place
deserves a good review.
Why? You might ask.
Because there’s a lot of activity
at this beach than some others
we have been to.
I love watching surfers.
I used to surf.
So I feel a connection.
We saw a girl hula
hooping and she was pretty good.
Hula Hooping is good exercise
and I love watching people
that can go for a long time till
the hoop falls down…
I cringe and shout out…
OH S*HIT!
I loved watching a father trying to
teach his son how to surf. Start
them young and he could be a pro
one day.
A lot of people love to lay out on
a towel or just chairs and just
watch people in the ocean or carry
on conversations.
Occasionally you will see
people having lunch or
just snacking on something
small.
Don’t forget your suntan lotion!
But anyway there are a lot of
restaurants near this beach for
surfers to get something to eat
at after a day of surfing.
Just pull out your
iPhone and do a nearby search.
You’ll find restaurants, bars,
coffee shops. ETC…
Lots of good stuff.
They have good parking.
It can get crowded on weekends.
Weekdays it’s a
little better but not by much.
There is easy access to the beach.
Everyone pretty much starts
leaving shortly after the sun
goes down and there is still
an afterglow which we like to
stay for.
See you soon!

This is where I come if I am in pacific beach. They have a parking lot and when it is windy my daughter and I watch all of the windsurfers.

I will not review surf breaks or ski lines on Unilocal.
I will not review surf breaks or ski lines on Unilocal.
I will not review surf breaks or ski lines on Unilocal.
I will not review surf breaks or ski lines on Unilocal.
I will not review surf breaks or ski lines on Unilocal.
I will not review surf breaks or ski lines on Unilocal

This beach is beautiful! I tagged along to watch my hubby surf. They have restrooms, plenty parking, and an awesome view. This is a hot spot for surfers. Beautiful beautiful!

This is my second favorite surf spot in San Diego. I do like how it has its own parking lot and it sits a bit further north than the crowded beaches. The breaks are clean and the surf is pretty mellow and good for beginning surfers. There is a bathroom and showers for changing as well which is very convenient!
Surfers are friendly and don’t act like jerky locals.
I do wish people who aren’t surfing wouldn’t come here though. It’s a surf spot and they flock in with their families and beach chairs, hogging the parking spaces only to just sit on the beach.
Beware of squishies (stingrays)!

I regret that I have but five stars to give to this little slice of heaven.
I have a long board that could double as a cruise ship and this is such a great long board park. I’m by no means a seasoned surfer so my perspective is that of a beginner. I paddle out, I catch a wave, I pop up, smile, and thank God for what an amazing day this is. Awesome, rad, righteous, etc. Apologies for the 80’s vocabulary.
Parking can be tight here and on weekends especially the water the can be crowded with kindred spirits on long boards, stand up paddle boards, and kayaks. Be careful that you don’t get bonked.
If you’re not surfing, the beach area itself is a nice place to chill or catch a sunset. The folks who hang out here all come to share in the enjoyment of this great little spot.
Surfs up baby! Mana Kai!