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Here we have a long, flat stretch of beachbreak called South Beach that shows its better face during big northwest swells and howling north winds. Crescent City is a south-facing crescent, so South Beach is always a lot smaller than surrounding spots, deeming it rather popular during the north winds of spring. Mushy and forgiving, it's ideal for beginners. Greg Noll hosts his annual longboarding contest here (www.noll.net/nollclassic.htm). At low tide, South Beach usually walls and becomes nearly impossible to get out, so high tides are preferred. The general rule is the closer you get to the jetty, the smaller and more protected it is. Sometimes there's a good left in front of the Crescent Beach Motel. The surf gets bigger and more blustery the farther down the beach you go.
-- Mike Kew
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medium to high
W, SW
waist-high to 2 feet overhead
NE
1 to 3
sand
beginner and up
longboard or funboard
spring
Easy. Right on the highway -- you can't miss it.
Plenty of people on the weekends, but it's pretty empty otherwise.
none
3 to 7, depending on size
1
6
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Quaff some ale and stuff your face with greasy fare at the Jefferson State Brewery, 400 Front St., 707-464-1139. For good deli food, there's the Breadboard Deli at 340 Hwy 101 N., 707-464-6611. Try the Beachcomber Restaurant at 1400 Hwy 101 S., 707-464-2205, or the Bistro Gardens and Salad Gallery for lighter foods, 938 K St., 707-4645627. For seafood, go to the Harbor View Grotto at 150 Starfish Way, 707-464-3815. For Mexican, try Taco Man at 530 L St., 707-464-3013. There is no nightlife in Crescent City if you're not a redneck/logger/hunter/farmer/good ol' boy.
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The previously mentioned Crescent Beach Motel can't be beat for checking the surf, 707-4645436. Also, check out the Anchor Beach Inn, 707-464-2600. There's plenty of cheap lodgings in Crescent City, so consult the phone book. As for camping, there's Mill Creek Campground a few miles below South Beach off Highway 101 (707-464-6101) or Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park (707-464-6101).
Or try
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Crescent City has all you need: fast food, cheap motels, dive bars, banks, gas stations, grocery stores, etc. South Beach itself has nothing but piles of neat driftwood.
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For gear and Del Norte surf history, step into Rhyn Noll Surf Shop (son of Greg) at 1220 A 2nd St., 707-465-4400. The Noll Longboard Classic is held every year in the first weekend of October, "a contest for the good, sorta good and not so good."
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