About
The first thing you will notice at this beach is the Incredible surf breaks. Windansea has been a popular surfing haunt as far back as the 1940s and since 1960's has been a gathering spot of the Windansea Surf Club.
Surfers consider this a prime spot, as do sunbathers and sunset watchers who lounge on the beach's huge, smooth sandstone rocks.
 Windansea is also home to a legendary - almost mythic - surf culture, and perhaps California's first surfing icon, a Polynesian-style sideless hut that was first built by pioneer Windansea surfers in 1947. The Shack - or "sugar shack," -- supposedly took its name from an abundance of romantic encounters on its premises - lack of walls notwithstanding.
The shack has been rebuilt on at least three occasions, but locals each time reconstructed it to its original specifications, salvaging as much as possible.
Amenities
There are no public restrooms or showers at this beach or anywhere in the vicinity. Lifeguards are normally staffed at this beach on weekends in springtime, daily in summer, and on weekends in September. The hours are generally from 9:00 a.m. to dusk. Check with lifeguards for specific staff hours.
Getting there
Windansea is located around 6800 Neptune Place.
From the north, take Interstate 5 to La Jolla Village Drive, westbound. Turn left on Torrey Pines Road at the signalized intersection. Follow Torrey Pines Road to the signalized intersection at Pearl Street and turn right. Turn left on La Jolla Boulevard at the signalized intersection. Turn right on Nautilus at the signalized intersection.
From the south, take Interstate 5 north to La Jolla Parkway. Continue on as it becomes Torrey Pines Road. Follow Torrey Pines Road to the signalized intersection at Pearl Street and turn right. Turn left on La Jolla Boulevard at the signalized intersection. Turn right on Nautilus at the signalized intersection.
Tips & Suggestions
Surfing can be excellent at Windansea, but the popular surf breaks are very concentrated and can become quite crowded. Novice surfers may wish to consider La Jolla Shores instead.
More info
Windansea experiences shorebreak, a condition on steep beaches which results in hard breaking surf right at the shoreline. Swimmers should enter and exit the water carefully to prevent spinal injuries
Windansea Beach
Neptune Place and Nautilus
La Jolla, CA 92037
(619) 221-8900 |
