California will mark its annual Surfing Day on September 20, with a series of events scheduled throughout the state. The day recognizes surfing as the official sport of California and coincides with a time known for sunny weather and warm ocean conditions along the coast.
The celebration includes opportunities to watch or participate in surfing activities at well-known spots such as Malibu, Santa Cruz, Santa Monica, Venice Beach, Carlsbad, and Coronado. Both seasoned surfers and newcomers can take part in lessons or spectate at competitions. Many hotels near surf locations also offer special packages and amenities tied to surf culture.
Among the highlighted events is the U.S. Open Adaptive Surfing Championships in Oceanside from September 5 to 8. This competition features nine divisions for athletes with disabilities, including wave skiing and visually impaired surfing.
From September 6 to 14, San Clemente’s Lower Trestles will host the Lexus WSL Finals where top male and female surfers compete for world titles. Del Mar’s Dog Beach will be home to the Surf Dog Surf-a-Thon on September 8, an event where dogs are judged on their ability to ride waves.
On September 13 in Avila Beach, there will be a memorial paddle-out organized by Surfing for Hope in honor of those lost to cancer. A related longboard classic event is set for November in Pismo Beach.
Huntington Beach hosts “A Great Day in the Stoke” on September 14, which celebrates Black surfers through contests, lessons, and community activities open to all BIPOC communities and allies.
Ventura’s Surfer’s Point holds a Western Surfing Association championship tour event from September 14–15 with inclusive divisions spanning young children to older participants and adaptive athletes.
Encinitas’ Solento Surf Festival runs from September 14–21 featuring music performances, art exhibitions, surf contests across categories including men’s, women’s and youth competitors (groms), as well as community panels.
Oceanside will present the Nissan Super Girl Surf Pro from September 20–22. More than sixty professional female surfers are expected alongside concerts by artists like Bishop Briggs and CeeLo Green.
Other competitions include Newport Beach’s city championships (September 21–22), San Diego’s OMBAC Classic Longboard Contest (September 21), Pacifica’s Right of Wave Ocean Safety & Surf Awareness Day (September 22), Crescent City Classic Longboard Competition & Festival (September 28–29), and weekly night swim sessions at Palm Springs Surf Club throughout September—a facility featuring Southern California’s first wave pool that offers both beginner-friendly swells and twilight swims for adults.
The lineup reflects California’s ongoing connection between coastal communities, visitors interested in surf culture or recreation opportunities—extending even into desert regions through artificial wave technology—and various organizations promoting inclusivity within surfing.
