Campus Point
Right point off the UCSB campus on the south-facing Santa Barbara coast. Long, forgiving wall shaped by Coal Oil Point and the broad west-northwest swell window. Goes on days the Channel points further down the coast won’t.
When it’s on
Campus Point works best on a WSW to NW swell. It also picks up SW to W swell. Light offshore wind from the north through northeast. Mid-tide window.
When beginners can paddle out
Knee-high to chest-high on a clean morning with light wind. The wave count is high enough that less experienced surfers can sit wide of the peak without crossing the local lineup.
Spot intel
- Parking
- On-campus pay-by-plate lots at the Coal Oil Point Reserve and the UCSB lagoon, about a 10-minute walk to the wave on a posted trail. Campus parking is enforced through the work week.
- Crowd
- Thick. Heavy longboard presence. The forgiving shape keeps less experienced surfers in the lineup year-round, and the locals hold priority over them.
- Beginner-friendly?
Depends.
On small days the wave shape is approachable for confident intermediates. Above shoulder-high, the priority hierarchy tightens and the cobblestone inside is not a novice wave.
- Famous for
- Campus Point at UC Santa Barbara. The long right-hand reef at the eastern end of the UCSB campus: the marquee Santa Barbara County small-swell longboard and shortboard point.
- Lineup etiquette
- Priority on a point goes to the deepest rider. At a longboard-heavy break, paddling inside an active takeoff is the standard call-out.
Where it breaks
- Coordinates
- 34.4065, -119.8455
- Shore faces
- SSW
- Region
- Santa Barbara, California
Common questions
- What swell direction is best for Campus Point?
- Campus Point works best on a WSW to NW swell. It also picks up SW to W swell.
- How big does Campus Point need to be?
- Campus Point is best in the 2-7ft range on a 10-18s period.
- What are the best conditions at Campus Point?
- Light or offshore wind under about 8 knots, with the tide around 1.5-4ft.
- Where is Campus Point?
- Campus Point is a long mellow right in Santa Barbara, California. The beach faces SSW.
- Does GhostFingers forecast Campus Point?
- Yes. GhostFingers grades Campus Point with a six-tier verdict from swell height, period, direction, tide, and wind. iPhone, winter 2026.
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