The Allure of Windansea Beach
Windansea has two distinguishing factors: The palm frond covered shack at the south end of the beach and the surf.
The Surf Shack
The shack — lovingly called “The Surf Shack at Windansea Beach” — was constructed in 1946 by Woody Ekstrom, Don Okey and Fred Kenyon. According to local legend, the shack was home to a great many Polynesian luau beach parties back in the day. Because it represents the carefree days of the La Jolla community (or maybe because it withstood the rage of the Pacific), it was dubbed a historical landmark in 1998.
The Surf at Windansea
The surf is really why people visit Windansea, though. The beach enjoys a storied reputation as a great Southern California surf break and has hosted several surf legends, including Butch Van Artsdale and Mickey Munoz. In the early 1960s, Windansea enjoyed media attention from The Surfer’s Journal, which called Windansea locals the “heaviest surf crew ever.”
Did you Know?
The Surf Shack that is located on the beach is a historical landmark. This is just one of the reasons Windansea Beach is one of the most well known surf spots in La Jolla.
Beneath the surface of Windansea Beach is an ocean floor riddled with steep slopes. These slopes create powerful waves that attract surfers from across the county and state. The main peak at Windansea is a reef break, which sees waves as tall as 10 feet during the winter months and challenges surfers with powerful, thick waves that are characterized by a long-tapering right and shorter, hollower left.
Other breaks in the area include Turtles, Middles and Simmons.
Great Place to Sunbathe
Though sunbathing is highly encouraged at Windansea, the strong shore break and turbulent surf make swimming, diving and snorkeling highly inadvisable at this beach.
Stay Nearby at The Shoal Hotel La Jolla Beach
The Shoal Hotel La Jolla Beach is located less than a half a mile from Windansea Beach. It is a great boutique hotel to base your San Diego vacation out of. Not only do you have easy access to explore La Jolla, it is very close to all the attractions San Diego has to offer, such as the San Diego Zoo and Downtown San Diego.