Oak Knoll Creek Beach
San Simeon, CA
Oak Knoll Creek Beach draws a real windsurfing and kitesurfing crowd, close enough to the elephant seal colony nearby that a clear rule applies: don't approach the seals, whichever beach you're on. It's a working wind sport beach more than a place to swim or sunbathe.
A genuinely reliable wind sport spot, though the proximity to elephant seal territory means real care is needed about where you set up.
How we score beachesRespect the distance rules around elephant seals even here, they do wander between beaches on this stretch and getting close is both dangerous and against the rules.
Free parking is available; the CCC lists a lot here but doesn't specify its size.
A path leads from parking to the beach.
Wind is a near constant here, part of what draws the windsurfing crowd, with fog common most mornings year round.
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