Windansea Beach

Windansea Beach in La Jolla, San Diego, is a notable stretch of coastline and neighborhood whose name came from an oceanfront hotel renamed by Arthur Snell in 1919; the hotel later burned in 1943. The beach became famous for surfing because its shoreline reef break produces fast, powerful waves, helping give it a demanding reputation and a strict local etiquette. Its palm-covered surf shack, first built in 1947 and rebuilt repeatedly after storms, became a historic landmark. Windansea also played an important role in San Diego surf culture through its surf clubs, celebrated local surfers, and wider fame in popular culture, even as it was long known for rowdy behavior and localism.

San Diego, California · United States