San Diego ranks among the epicenters of the global surfing scene, and it just about goes without saying that Southern California, in general, has helped shape modern surf culture. (Just pay a visit to the California Surf Museum to learn how.)

Surfing is a year-round possibility here, but late summer through autumn generally brews up the finest all-around conditions. As a guest of ours at the Sofia Hotel—among the best-loved of San Diego hotels—you’re not only presented with the best that Downtown and the Gaslamp Quarter have to offer: You’re also just a short cruise from some of San Diego County’s most popular surfing hotspots.

Prime Time to Hit Those Breaks

Prevailing south swells, coupled with the periodic offshore punch of Santa Ana winds, make this time of year perfect for riding some Pacific waves along the San Diego County coast.

A Plethora of Nearby Surf Spots

From the legendary Trestles point break up north to the waters off Imperial Beach, you’ve got a rich variety of surfing destinations scattered all the way down San Diego County’s long and epically beautiful coastline.

The San Diego Tourism Authority has an excellent roundup of countywide surf breaks, but here’s a brief list of some of the notable ones closest to the Sofia:

• Del Mar—Open to swells from multiple directions, Del Mar offers some of the most varied and reliable year-round surfing in the area.

• La Jolla—A global hub for regional surfing, the beautiful strand of La Jolla is a great place for beginner and intermediate board-riders to fine-tune their skills. Specific spots include La Jolla Shores and Windansea.

• Coronado—Within shouting distance of the Sofia, Coronado offers friendly beach breaks as well as the respectable shore break of Outlet.

Dipping Your Toes Into Surfing

If you’ve never surfed before but are intrigued by the sport—and it’s easy to become intrigued after watching the pros do their magic at one of San Diego’s surf breaks—why not give it a try? An excellent way to test the waters (literally) is via a bodyboard, which helps you get a sense of the feel and rhythm of surfing on a beginner-friendly piece of equipment.

If you catch the bug via bodyboarding, you’ve got no shortage of options when it comes to local surf instruction. Many, many San Diego-area outfits offer lessons for beginner surfers, so consider taking advantage while you’re rooming with us at the lovely and historic Sofia: surfer-friendly as San Diego hotels come!