Bird Shit Surf Forecast

GOOD FOR

• Beginner — not suitable
• Intermediate — not suitable
• Advanced — suitable
• Expert — suitable

A reef break tucked into the Sunset Cliffs stretch, working best on a chest to overhead west or northwest pulse. The bottom is uneven cobble and rock, so the takeoff jacks quickly and hands off a short, punchy wall before backing off in the channel. Shape rewards a clean drop and an early bottom turn. Best suited to confident shortboarders comfortable reading a shifty reef peak.

WHEN IT WORKS

Faces roughly west, so it lights up on winter northwest and west swells from about November through March. Summer south swells wrap in short and gutless. Prevailing daytime westerlies quickly chop the face, meaning dawn sessions with light east or offshore flow tend to fire. Mid to lower tide usually opens the reef up, while a full high can drown the shape.

WHAT TO KNOW

The main concerns are physical, not social. Shallow reef, urchins, and barnacle-crusted boulders punish a blown entry or exit, and the sandstone cliffs above are actively eroding, so falling rock is a real risk. Currents push north along the cliffs on bigger days. Crowds stay modest compared to nearby peaks, but respect the regulars who have the timing dialed.

GETTING THERE

Less than 5 min walk on average

Park curbside along Sunset Cliffs Boulevard, free but tight on weekends. From the pullouts, informal dirt trails cut through the ice plant to the cliff edge, where surfers scramble down sandstone notches and rock steps to the water. Figure a five to ten minute walk plus a careful downclimb. No restrooms or showers at the trail, closest facilities sit back near the main park lots.