Ghost Fingers · Orange County · South OC

Salt Creek

Cobblestone reef-and-sand setup at Salt Creek Beach Park in Dana Point. South and west swell window funnels in around the Dana Point headland. Multiple takeoff zones across the cove.

South OC Famous spot NDBC buoy 46256NOAA tide 9410580

Spot intel

Parking

Paid lot at Salt Creek Beach Park off Pacific Coast Highway, metered hourly. Walk-down via the posted park path to the sand — about a quarter mile, paved. Lot fills by mid-morning on any swell.

Crowd

Thick on south-swell days. Locals run the main takeoff zones. The cove geography keeps the lineup compact.

Beginner-friendly?

No.

Cobblestone reef sections, a tight priority hierarchy at the main takeoff zones, and a wave count per visiting surfer that runs low on any size. Not a wave to learn the lineup at.

Lineup etiquette

Priority on a reef section goes to the deepest rider. Snaking a wave already ridden from the peak is the standard call-out.

When it's on

South through southwest and west through west-northwest groundswell with light offshore wind from the northeast through east. Mid-tide window.

Where it breaks

Coordinates
33.4758, -117.7229
Shore faces
SW
Region
South OC, California

Launching summer 2026.

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