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You better believe California is a major contender when it comes to keeping surfer’s happy. All you have to do is take a look at the length of the state’s coastline to get an idea of why it is considered a major surfer haven.The tidal shoreline (including small bays and inlets) is over 3400 miles; but since we know you can’t surf in an inlet we should mention that the actual coastline is 840 miles now that’s still pretty darn impressive, wouldn’t you say?An easy way to determine which surf locations you should explore is best done by looking at as many resources as you can to determine whether or not that specific location will meet your needs with regard to experience, safety and accessibility.Following are a few handy books that encapsulate California surfing into easy-to-digest material that will answer questions as well as stir your senses.

• The California Surf Project (Eric Soderquist, Chris Burkard) is the story of two surfers who quit their jobs and packed their boards to take a trip of a lifetime along California’s Highway 1 from the Oregon border to Tijuana and explored every nuance of California’s legendary coastline. In the book the authors relive their exciting adventure through a “soulful text” and over 200 stunning photographs.
• Surfing California (Bank Wright) is considered a complete guide to the best surfing spots along the California coast. The book includes maps, photos and a ton of descriptions of every spot that the author a longtime California surfer and skier form the 1960′s experienced. One reviewer of the book wrote that it is “one of the most useful tools a surfer can use.”
• Surfing in Santa Cruz (Thomas Hickenbottom) is a perfectly concise and historical look at the diverse and colorful surfing community along California’s central coast (on the northern tip of Monterey Bay). The text includes stunning photographs that document the area’s surfing height as well as its transition into its current modern day Mecca and lifestyle.
• Caught Inside: A Surfer’s Year on the California Coast (Daniel Duane) is described as a “wondrous, uproarious and surprisingly informative account of a year spent surfing.” The author is a native of Santa Cruz, California so you know he has first-hand knowledge of what it takes to be considered a “naturalist, a historian, and a ponderer” in the quest for the best possible wave.

There are more titles out there but these are a few to get you started along your journey to discover and experience the magic allure that is the California surf.