California and beach life go hand in hand, the mere mention of the state’s name creating images of peaceful afternoons lounging on the beach, keeping an eye on the water in case some waves should appear. Monterey, California features plenty of beaches that tend to loom under the radar, ones that offer very consistent surf for all experience levels.

Monterey is known for attracting famous artists to live in the city, as well as for its fishery. Even the cheese known as Monterey Jack originated in the city. For those with surfboards in their hands, though, they would be most excited to hear about the very consistent waves, the easy access to public beaches, and the manageable crowds that will give respect where respect is due. While the water and the locals may both be too cold to handle, you should be able to look past it to see the gorgeous waves.

The city is nestled right on the coast of the Pacific Ocean, offering a lot of beach and a lot of surf-related businesses within reach. If you need wax for your surfboard, you should not have to go far. As long as you follow proper surf etiquette, you should have few problems with the locals, who rightly feel that tourists should not come in and sweep up all the waves without first paying the proper respect to those that have been there for longer. Due to its location, the weather in Monterey is generally amenable, and you should not have too many problems with rain or excessive heat depending on when you visit Monterey.

White, sandy beaches offer the perfect place to relax before and after hitting up the waves, and the city itself happens to be culturally important. If you have ever read a John Steinbeck novel, you may be interested to know that he lived in Monterey for about a year before moving to New York, as well is in the surrounding area for a while. A robust arts community is something to enjoy, and there are plenty of other things to do in the area, making for an all-around fun vacation, even if surfing is your primary goal.