Mavericks Beach
Surfing location in California, US
About
Mavericks Beach (or simply Mavericks) is a surfing location in the San Francisco Bay Area. It is just outside of the breakwater of Pillar Point Harbor, near the coastal community of Princeton-by-the-Sea, just north of the town of Half Moon Bay. After a strong winter storm in the northern Pacific Ocean, waves can routinely crest at over 25 ft (8 m) and top out at over 60 ft (18 m). The break is caused by an unusually shaped underwater rock formation.
Mavericks is a winter destination for some of the world's best big wave surfers. From 1999 to 2016, an invitation-only contest called Titans of Mavericks was held there during most winter surfing seasons, whenever the winter wave conditions there were deemed to be suitable to meet the needs of the contest.
Nearby
More to see within walking distance
Pillar Point Bluff
Public park in Moss Beach, California, United States
1.1 mi away
Pillar Point Harbor
Harbor in San Mateo County, California
1.2 mi away
Fitzgerald Marine Reserve
Marine reserve in California on the Pacific Ocean
1.3 mi away
Princeton-by-the-Sea, California
Unincorporated community in California, United States
1.6 mi awayDenniston Creek
Notable place
1.4 mi awayPlaces to eat nearby
Finding places to eat…
Traveler reviews
Tickets & tours
Tickets and tours for Mavericks Beach
We may earn a commission from some of these links, at no extra cost to you. Learn more
Photos from Unsplash, Wikipedia and Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA); facts from Wikipedia; maps © OpenStreetMap contributors, weather from Open-Meteo. Huginn’s tips are AI-written — check prices, hours and entry rules before you go.