Surf Beach
Lompoc, CA
Surf Beach takes its name from the small Amtrak depot right across the tracks, a genuinely unusual way to reach a beach for anyone arriving by train rather than car. It's a real surf spot too, living up to its name with a consistent break that draws a dedicated local crowd.
A genuinely unusual train-accessible beach with a real surf following, though the remote setting and rail crossing aren't for a casual family beach day.
How we score beachesConsider arriving by Amtrak if you're already planning a Central Coast train trip, this is one of the few beaches in the state with its own rail stop practically on the sand.
Free parking is available near the depot.
A path crosses the railroad tracks from the depot to the beach.
Dogs are not allowed on Surf Beach itself; a nearby trail from Ocean Park permits leashed dogs outside of plover nesting season.
Winter swells bring the most consistent surf here, while fog is common most mornings year round.
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