Fall on the West Coast hits different. While most of the country’s trading boardshorts for pumpkin spice, we’re pulling on a light fleece, grabbing our boards, and chasing cleaner lines and lighter crowds. If you’re looking to clock out early and clock in some wave time without torching your wallet, we’ve got you covered.
Here are four affordable surf getaways leaving from California this fall—each one bringing solid swell potential, good vibes, and that “just enough off the grid” feeling. Pack smart (tees, fleece, and a hat go a long way), load up the car or book that cheap flight, and go get some.
1. Northern Baja, Mexico
Distance from SoCal: 1-5 hours by car (border dependent)
Budget Rating: $
Ah yes—Baja. She never gets old. And fall might just be her finest season. The summer crowds die down, hurricane season throws pulses up the coast, and the tacos are still under two bucks.
Your go-to here? K-38. It’s consistent, fun, and about as easy a cross-border trip as you’ll get. Camp on the beach or shack up in a cheap Airbnb in Rosarito. If you’ve got a 4x4 and some adventure in you, drive farther south for emptier setups like Shipwrecks or Punta San José.
IPD Tip: The early mornings are crisp. Toss on one of our midweight fleece crews and a beanie while you sip that questionable instant coffee and wax up. Stash a few tees for the post-surf taco crawl.
2. Central California – Big Sur to Morro Bay
Distance from SoCal: 4–6 hours by car
Budget Rating: $–$$
If you’re more into moody coastlines, redwoods, and tucked-away beach breaks than border towns, Central California's calling. This stretch from Big Sur down to Morro Bay gets fun south swells well into October, and fall tends to clean things up with offshore mornings and empty lineups.
You’ll want to car camp or book a last-minute site at Kirk Creek or San Simeon. Pack a warm sleeping bag, plenty of snacks, and a few layers—you’ll need 'em. Bonus: when the waves go flat, you’re still cruising one of the most scenic coastlines on the planet.
IPD Tip: Don’t be the guy shivering in boardshorts at sunrise. Our fleece hoodies are legit lineup essentials up here, and you’ll be glad you threw in a dad hat to keep the morning fog out of your eyes. Also, it’s layers season—grab a long-sleeve graphic tee for that midday lunch stop in Cambria.
3. San Miguel, Mainland Mexico
Flight from SoCal: ~3 hours to Puerto Vallarta or Manzanillo
Budget Rating: $$
Mainland Mex has always had a special place in our hearts. But spots like San Miguel or La Ticla give you that remote, raw surf trip feel without the tourist markup of Sayulita or Punta Mita. With a cheap flight and a shared rental car, you can be waist-deep in a river-mouth point break by happy hour.
Fall swells start to pulse down the coast around October, and crowds tend to thin out after summer. You’ll score chest-high runners, barefoot beach hangs, and some of the best pescado you’ve ever had.
IPD Tip: Pack light, surf heavy. A couple of IPD tees (they dry quick, breathe better), a sun-faded trucker hat, and one good fleece hoodie for cool nights around the firepit—that’s all you need.
4. Santa Cruz, California
Distance from NorCal: Under 2 hours from San Francisco
Budget Rating: $$
If you’re based up north and want an easy fall strike mission, Santa Cruz always delivers. From the cruisy peelers at Pleasure Point to the more punchy stuff at Steamer Lane, there’s something for every board and every vibe.
Yeah, it’s a little pricier than other options on this list, but campgrounds like New Brighton State Beach make it doable. And fall’s one of the best times to be up here—clean conditions, fewer kooks, and that cool ocean breeze that makes pulling on a cozy IPD fleece post-surf a legit pleasure.
IPD Tip: Mornings are cold, water’s colder—layer smart. Your go-bag should include a couple graphic tees for day missions, a watch cap or beanie for those long jetty walks, and an extra fleece in case your buddy “forgets” his again.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need a passport stamp or a trust fund to chase waves this fall. With a little planning, a good playlist, and your crew (or not—solo strikes rule), you can surf your face off and still have cash left over for gas and burritos.
Wherever you head, travel light but smart. Toss in a few durable IPD tees, your favorite fleece, and a hat that’s seen a few seasons. You’ll be covered from the road to the reef and everything in between.
See you out there.
—The IPD Crew
