Surf Spots You Should Know: Doheny
A Brief Look at California's First State Beach
Doheny State Beach—affectionately known as Doho—is one of the best places to practice noseriding in Southern California. The takeoff is soft, but the wave builds gradually as it peels over the cobblestones, giving you just enough push to set your line and start cross-stepping toward the nose.
There’s a simple formula for when Doho works: high tide & south swell.
We don’t mind sharing that bit of local knowledge, because if you check the surf at low tide, you’ll likely be greeted by a hundred yards of exposed cobblestones and seaweed.
When Should You Go?
Summer is when Doho shines.
As the seasons shift, California’s dominant swells transition from the colder northwest energy of winter to warmer, more playful south swells—ideal for south-facing beaches like Doheny.
When the conditions line up, it’s about as fun and user-friendly a longboard wave as you’ll find in the state. (Anytime you picture fun longboard waves, you also have to be prepared for crowds)
What Should You Ride?
Glad you asked.
For a wave like Doho, you want a longboard with a bit of extra foam, full rails, and a design that planes easily across a soft, rolling face. In other words: a board like our Walks on Water.
We developed the Walks on Water model in collaboration with Andy Nieblas—a surfer who cut his teeth at the Boneyard (the break nearest the jetty). Andy is not only a world-class longboarder, he’s also a proud member of the Acjachemen Nation, the original inhabitants of this region.
Andy grew up surfing Doheny—a lot—and when we started building boards for him back in 2010, we shaped his signature log with this wave in mind.
A 9'4" to 9'8" Walks on Water is just about perfect for summer days at Doho.
History of Doheny
Doheny holds the distinction of being California’s first official state beach—a gift to the public from oilman Edward L. Doheny in 1931.
As a surf spot, it was originally known for Killer Dana—a legendary, critical right-hander that broke off the headland. The wave was a magnet for surfers and helped shape Dana Point’s early identity. But in 1964, plans to build the Dana Point Harbor were set in motion. Despite major resistance from the local surf community, Killer Dana was bulldozed and buried beneath the harbor project by 1966.
Though the wave was lost, the local surf culture endured. And Doheny, with its long, glidey peelers and welcoming lineup, picked up the torch where Killer Dana left off.
Why It Still Matters
Doheny has changed over the years, but it’s still one of the best places to ride a longboard in Southern California. The wave is approachable, consistent, and rewards the kind of surfing that never goes out of style. That’s exactly what we had in mind when we built the Walks on Water—a board made for waves like Doho.
If you're headed there this summer, grab a big board with lots of foam and get ready to dodge the crowds in an effort to get some fun loggin waves.
If you want a memento to take home from Doheny, might we politely recommend this DOHENY flag from Slightly Choppy:
$60 from Slightly Choppy - Handmade in Newport Beach, CA
What's Next?
