Rincon Point
Santa Barbara · Santa Barbara County · California
Today's forecast
Updated 6:00 AM PT todayDawn is the clearest window. A late-morning onshore builds surface chop and gives up a few feet by the afternoon.
7-Day Forecast
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34.378° N · 119.482° W
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Rincon Point sits on the Santa Barbara and Ventura County line, where Rincon Creek meets a cobble shoreline and a shallow rocky point that drops gradually through an exposed surf zone. The cobble bottom and breaking waves make it a surf zone biome.
Rincon Point is one of California's well-known surf breaks, with three named sections: the Cove, the Rivermouth, and the Indicator. Surfing is by far the most common activity, while some people fish from the cobble shoreline and a few spearos work the point. The low relief inshore keeps spearfishing uncommon, and snorkeling and scuba diving are not reported here.
Two free public lots sit at the Bates Road exit off Highway 101. The upper lot is Rincon Beach Park on the Santa Barbara County side, with restrooms; the lower lot is on the Ventura County side. Both fill before sunrise on a real swell. Fishing and spearfishing are legal under standard California regulations.
Surf Zone
The surf zone biome consists of sandy beaches and breaking waves. The action of surf disturbing the sand and kicking it up exposes marine invertebrates, buried in their shallow dens. This natural exposure of invertebrates attracts all kinds of fish, looking for an easy meal. Learn more about this biome and the species found in it by clicking the link below.
Learn more in the Biome GlossaryTarget Fish Species
Nearby beaches
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