fair surfing conditions at San Mateo - Linda Mar

Surfed from 1:30 to 3:00. Every time I go to lindy I remember why I always say I will never go back. It was the usual mess. Jumbled, soft, then walled and nonstop breaking for 5 minutes with a 4 second period. Occasionally one would come in and you could get a few turns in before the inevitable shit show came to its usual grande finale...the closeout. Even so, it was better than juggling sea urchins. Fair -

I've had 3 lindy sessions in 10 years. And have to agree with H2OMan. It's about 3 too many.

It is interesting how inextricably LM is tied in with "surf" in the consciousness of the non-surfing Bay-Arean. When I mention to people that I surf, their first question is always "Oh, down in Pacifica?". I notice how other shitty, new surfers (whose company I still claim) are often shackled to this particular crowded, miserable break as if it were their only legitimate option, and will not be dissuaded to consider other, superior places.

I rarely find LM to be a legitimate option. I will take blown-out OB over waist-high LM closeouts with 300 people on them. Also, San Mateo County has found it cheaper to pay the occasional large fine than to build a proper wastewater system. Eww.

sad but true, Linda Mar pretty much sucks at all times. its virtually a guarantee that if Linda Mar has anything even approaching a decent wave, there are other spots nearby that will be 10x better.

I'd much rather surf a good OB day than a good LM day ... buuuuuuut
if you like longboarding (which I do) it's actually a damn fun place to surf sometimes... maybe even often!
Just throwin it out there.
Oh but avoid holiday weekends.

...and northwest wind...
The summer is actually more fun than anywhere else nearby b/c of fairly consistent ssw wind that doesn't wreck it.

people surf there because:

1) easy to get to
2) lots of parking
3) surf shops nearby
4) no dangerous currents
5) lots of other menu items in the water (for the landlord)

When you start out, or are just casual about surfing, or long board, it's the place to be. It's definitely the place to start and then branch out from as you progress. And by progress, I mean not drop in on ppl, be able to turn, and be able to read a left vs right etc. :D
I still like going there from time to time because of nostalgia. Ahhh those were the times when someone was careening down the line and they had to push my soft top away from their head. Also, I can recall a few times when I had to make a choice between survival surf at OB vs some OH+ at LM at chalupa reef. At the time, chalupas were a bit more tasty.
Every spot has its ups and downs, advantages and disadvantages. As surfers we should take in as many spots as possible, and learn their behaviors under all sorts of conditions. It's fun surfing with a group of surfers who have experience with all sorts of spots. The chase, the vote, and the learning process is fun, and it's what surfing's all about here in the Bay Area.
So just don't get stuck on LM, and don't swear it off entirely :)

My take on LM is that its consistently mediocre. However on some days mediocre is a notch up from what everything else is. There have been times when I've driven HMB to OB and checked everywhere and ended up back at LM, as it was the only place surfable. The ssw winds have a lot to do with this. But.... I have had some pure magic SH to HH days few and far between as to hold some faith in old Lindy. Don't waste your time if its over HH as it just seems to close out at that point. Visually the surrounding scenery (not the p-lot or town) are quite nice-Montara mtn, pedro point, the north bluff, especially when the fog is breaking up over the mtn. The human factor is a trip-nowhere else do you see some many weird boards, equipment, and people. Anyone else remember when Pacifica banned changing in the lot? think it was 99' just before I lived there from 00-02. I left for more sun and a shorter commute.