Santa Barbara is known for having many near-perfect right hand point breaks that rarely break. The combination of the generally south-facing coastline and the swell blocking of the Channel Islands means that many surf spots on the Santa Barbara South Coast need very specific swell conditions to even have breaking waves. When the January 2023
SBC Fire Department received over 400 calls for service and 100 calls for water rescues throughout the county since Jan. 9, none of which resulted in death or injury.
A cornerstone of UC Santa Barbara and Isla Vista culture has always been the presence of a large surfing community. The Daily Nexus captured photos from Southern California surf spots, including Sands Beach, Devereux Beach, "Little Rincon" and Campus Point, showcasing the different offerings of certain beaches and wave conditions.