Ventura to Santa Barbara – A surf road trip through California’s best point breaks
Some trips leave a lasting mark - not just in the places you visit, but in the way they shape how you move, think, and ride. California’s coast has always been a pilgrimage for surfers, and this time, Ventura was the destination. It wasn’t just about the waves - it was about reconnecting with the roots of surf culture, linking up with brands we work with at flatspot, and seeing what makes this stretch of the Pacific so special.
Catching perfect rides at Rincon & C Street
Ventura is known for its legendary point breaks, and the highlight of the trip was the daily sessions at Rincon and C Street. There’s something about long, clean right-handers peeling perfectly along the coast that makes you lose track of time, dial into the moment, and fine-tune your craft in your way. The more time spent on the wave, the better.
At C Street, the setup is uncomplicated but perfect - a long, rolling wave that lets you draw smooth, fast lines, with enough variety to keep each ride interesting. It’s the kind of spot where you can sit back, take in the rhythm of the ocean, and just let the board do what it’s meant to. There are other options just up the point at Ventura too, but C Street felt like the perfect place to dial in.
Over at Rincon, the ‘Queen of the Coast’, the waves were pure Californian magic. Even when it got crowded, it was easy to find space, pick a line, and let everything else fade into the background. Each session a standout. The 8’8 MPE P38 shaped by Kirk Putnam that I borrowed from Dave at Mollusk was super fun. The board was effortless and immediate to find trim and glide, supporting more movement to the nose than expected, it being only an 8’8, making every wave feel like it lasted that little bit longer, with nice and early take-offs.
A deep dive into surf culture – visiting Patagonia & Mollusk
Beyond the waves, this trip was about digging into the surf culture and brands that define this part of the coast.
At Patagonia HQ in Ventura with Chris Lopez, the brand’s Experience Manager, I got a personal tour of their archives - a collection of gear that speaks to decades of experimentation, environmental focus, and a deep respect for the sport. It wasn’t just about the products; it was about how a brand stays true to its ethos while continuing to evolve.
From Ventura, I headed up to Santa Barbara to visit Mollusk where I met up with Dave Osborn, who we work with at flatspot too. Mollusk isn’t just a surf shop - it’s a hub for art, craftsmanship, timeless surf style and good vibes. Over a burger and a beer at Dave’s friend's place, Dang Burger, we went through new season samples, talked product, and then Dave pointed me in the right direction for the perfect paddle out for a sunset session at C Street. Seeing firsthand how these brands operate, up close and in their element, made it clear why they resonate so strongly with the surf and skate communities.
Local stops & unexpected highlights
When you spend your days in the ocean, coffee and food become rituals. Ventura has some absolute gems, and Indoek’s gallery and city guide pointed me in the right direction.
• Singing Sun Coffee - The perfect pre-surf caffeine fix. Closely tied to the community through artists like Jeff Canham and Will Adler.
• Fluid State Pizza - I went in thinking I’d grab three slices, ended up realizing even that was WAY too much. The portions and flavours here are next level, classic CA.
• Rice by Mama - Ordered the Fresh Roll Tofu, which was unreal - tofu wrapped in rice paper, fresh mint, greens, and peanut sauce tied everything together. Hit this up a couple of times.
• Prospect Coffee Roasters - This café roasts its own beans, serving great-tasting batch brew and espresso, plus incredible almond croissants.
• The Local Plants & Landscapes - Front gardens full of succulents, awesome cacti of all kinds, and wild greenery gave the neighbourhoods a mind-blowing look. Lush, organic, and effortlessly Californian.
• Indoek Art Gallery - A mega legit community space blending surf culture, art, and design. Their local guide was a game-changer, and their merchandise is something we’re looking forward to stocking soon at flatspot. Always representing the deepest artists on the California scene.
One of the best things about this trip was that it wasn’t just about surfing - it was about soaking in everything that makes this coastline unique.
Final thoughts - why this trip hit different
For a UK surfer, point breaks like Rincon and C Street feel like a dream. Back home, we rarely get waves that offer this kind of consistency - long, mellow rides with open face after open face, where you can settle into the rhythm and really enjoy the ride. I’d been craving this kind of surf for years, and this trip delivered. It wasn’t just good - it was one of the best times of my life.
It was a huge privilege to be able to fully immerse, surf every day, and really experience these waves in the way that I did. And I am super thankful for the support around me to be able to do this. The kind of trip where every session builds on the last, where you find yourself tuning into the coastline, getting to know the tides, the lineup, and the way the waves shape up at different times of day. More than just surfing, it was about being in the right place at the right time, doing something I love.
But as perfect as the trip was, it ended with a stark reminder of how unpredictable and fragile these landscapes can be. On my way back to LAX, battling high winds and sandstorms, I missed my flight due to a wildfire in Malibu. Sitting in traffic, it felt like an inconvenience at first - but seeing someone’s property burning nearby quickly put things into perspective. While I only had to adjust my plans, others were facing something far more destructive.
Weeks later, even more destructive fires swept through California, making it devastatingly clear just how insignificant that moment had been. Entire communities were displaced, homes were lost, and the impact was on a scale far beyond anything I had personally experienced or could truly comprehend. What had been a minor disruption to my journey was, in reality, just the smallest glimpse into something far more serious.
After returning home, I checked in with Dave from Mollusk to see how he and the crew were doing. Thankfully, they were safe, but it was a sobering reminder of what so many people in these coastal towns endure.
This trip gave me some of the best waves I’ve ever had and reaffirmed my love for this style of surfing, but it also made me more aware of the responsibility we all have to protect the places we cherish. California is a dream for surfers, but it’s also a place that demands respect - for its landscapes, its communities, and the people who call it home.
More like this: Stay tuned for upcoming flatspot content inspired by this trip - product stories, gear insights, and more from the brands that shape the way we move.
