Cerritos offers a convenient Southern California base with easy access to premier surf breaks along the Orange County and LA coastlines. While the city itself sits inland, its strategic location puts you within a 20-minute drive of world-class waves at Huntington Beach, Seal Beach, and Sunset Beach. The local surf shop serves as your connection point to this coastal playground, stocking quality boards, wetsuits, and accessories while offering expert advice on current conditions and the best breaks for your skill level. Beyond surfing, Cerritos provides practical amenities like the Cerritos Towne Center for gear and supplies, diverse dining options reflecting the area's multicultural community, and straightforward freeway access to explore the broader SoCal surf scene. It's an efficient, no-nonsense hub for surfers who want proximity to great waves without the beach town price tag.
Cerritos, being inland, requires travel to access surf spots like Seal Beach or Huntington Beach. Summer generally offers smaller, gentler swells suitable for beginners, while fall and winter bring larger, more powerful waves. For lessons or gear acquisition, booking rentals or shaping appointments mid-week avoids the weekend rush associated with Southern California beachgoers. Check local tide charts for optimal conditions at nearby breaks before committing to a drive.
The local surf shop in Cerritos typically acts as a centralized hub for gear acquisition rather than a direct beachfront outfitter. Expect robust retail focused on boards, wetsuits, and accessories suitable for various SoCal conditions. Rentals might be available for pickup, often requiring advance notice. High-quality repair services are usually offered for dings and delamination. Inquire specifically about custom shaping options, as this often requires coordinating directly with the shaper's schedule, sometimes necessitating a drive to their shaping bay.
The closest reliable surf breaks are typically found slightly south or west, with Seal Beach and the northern parts of Huntington Beach being the most common destinations. Expect a 20 to 30-minute drive depending on traffic conditions, especially during peak hours.
While the primary shop focuses on sales and service, most established Cerritos surf retailers offer rental packages. It is highly recommended to call ahead to confirm availability, sizing, and the process for picking up and returning equipment before driving over.
Local Cerritos surf shops often facilitate lessons by partnering with certified instructors operating at nearby beaches. They can usually equip you with necessary gear for the lesson, but the instruction itself occurs off-site near the ocean breaks.
Cerritos offers a convenient Southern California base with easy access to premier surf breaks along the Orange County and LA coastlines. While the city itself sits inland, its strategic location puts you within a 20-minute drive of world-class waves at Huntington Beach, Seal Beach, and Sunset Beach. The local surf shop serves as your connection point to this coastal playground, stocking quality boards, wetsuits, and accessories while offering expert advice on current conditions and the best breaks for your skill level. Beyond surfing, Cerritos provides practical amenities like the Cerritos Towne Center for gear and supplies, diverse dining options reflecting the area's multicultural community, and straightforward freeway access to explore the broader SoCal surf scene. It's an efficient, no-nonsense hub for surfers who want proximity to great waves without the beach town price tag.