Sleepy Hollow / California / United States

This is a Laguna Beach spot, and despite the name it's a decent place to surf that gives some good waves which are suitable for all experience levels.

The beach is sandy and long, and it's pretty quiet during the week although it fills up and gets crowded early on at weekends.  The water temperatures range from a low of about 14° C in winter, to a high of about 20° C in summer.

This place is best when both the wind and the swell coming from the north-west, with a falling tide on the water at the mid or high tide position. The waves start working at about 1.5 to 2 m, and hold up to a maximum of about 2.5 m or so. It is a point break, breaking to the left only, and the waves are fast and hollow and a lot of fun. Length is about average on most days and will be between 100 and 150 m, but if you happen to be here on a good day it can be excellent and up to 4 or 500 m.

Lifeguards patrol the beach, and the town itself has plenty to offer. There is a good choice of restaurants and bars, lots of accommodation available, and plenty of nightlife if you want to stay on after surfing.

Keep an eye out for the rocks that lurk just below the surface, and if you fall in watch where you are putting your feet as the seabed is covered with spiky urchins.