Northern Baja California has some excellent surfing, particularly on a south or southwest swell. Conditions are somewhat similar to Southern California. The months from October to April typically call for a full suit, with water temperatures ranging from high 50’s to mid 60’s. Swells during this period typically come from the west to northwest and are fairly consistent. Summer months offer spring suit to trunk conditions with temperatures ranging from high 60’s to mid 70’s. Swells typically range from south to southwest during this time of year with slightly less consistency. Below are some of the better breaks in the area with a little information on each.

Best Surf Spots near Rosarito Beach – Between Tijuana and Ensenada

Baja Malibu ~ K22 (Located at approximately the kilometer 22 sign on the toll road)

Baja Malibu is probably the most consistent break north of Rosarito Beach and one of the best beach breaks overall in northern Baja. It pulls in most swells from the south all the way to the northwest. The waves here are usually more powerful than elsewhere and can be hollow. Access is easy. Look for the Baja Malibu sign on the toll road just south of the Real del Mar Golf Resort.

San Antonio del Mar ~ K22

Beach break located off the toll highway north of Rosarito Beach. Keep your eyes open for the San Antonio del Mar sign while driving on the toll road.

Rosarito Beach ~ K29 - K34

Long sandy beach stretching from just south of Festival Plaza Hotel north to the Rosarito Beach power plant. Waves are fairly inconsistent here, but on any given day conditions can be excellent. A pier has recently been added off the Rosarito Beach Hotel, which may provide some relief in the way of sandbars. There is also a pier and a jetty near the northern end of the beach.

Calafia

Nice right point break below the Calafia Hotel a few miles south of Rosarito Beach. Take the free road south until you see the Calafia Hotel. There is parking on the cliff south of the hotel. Provides an excellent right point on south to southwest swells. It also breaks on west to northwest swells, but is often mushy. Look out for shallow rocks during low tides.

K38 1/2

Offers a nice reef break with lefts and rights and an excellent right point. Access is now somewhat restricted due to condominium development on the cliff. Used to be an excellent hang out and camping site. Still can provide one of the better waves in northern Baja on a good day.

Halfway House

Nice beach located below the Halfway House Restaurant appropriately named as it is approximately the halfway point between Tijuana and Ensenada. This wave is not very consistent, but can provide some power when lack of swell makes the reefs and points too mushy.

La Fonda ~ K65

One of the best beach breaks in Northern Baja. Like most breaks in the area, it is usually best on a south to west swell direction. A good place if you are preferential to lefts. Best on higher tides.

Salsipuedes ~ K87

Literal translation is “leave if you can”. If you attempt to take the access road any time near a storm you will see why. This reef break provides a nice wave on most medium to large swells. If it is small the wave may be mushy or non-existent. The access road is located a few miles past the El Mirador “the view point” as you navigate down the grade toward San Miguel.

San Miguel ~ K99

San Miguel is possibly the most famous spot in the area and probably the best when it is on. Take the San Miguel exit by the third and final tollbooth. The wave is an excellent right point that breaks on most west to northwest swells. If the swell is too south or southwest, it will be blocked out by Todos Santos and Punta Banda. This is one of your better bets during the winter and spring months although it is a fairly long trip from Rosarito Beach.