Tyler DrakeTeam

COO / Co-Founder

Co-Founder of Outbound. On a mission to get #EveryoneOutside!

If you've ever taken a lesson before or are comfortable paddling for waves and standing up, this is a great spot to hone your skills. The crowd is usually very friendly and the waves are forgiving.

Great spot to camp (right on the beach)! The surf can get pretty blown out, so keep an eye on the wind.

Bring food with you if you plan to spend a couple hours there. The food selection is a little limited.

Pacifica is fun if ocean beach is a little too steep or if you prefer riding a longboard. The break is typically a more wind-protected as well.

The water looks a little dirty because it picks up some of the needles from the pine trees on the beach. Don't let that detour you, there are some fun ones to be head out there.

After about 5 minutes on the "stairs" you may be regretting your decision, but trust me, it gets better (once your'e at the top)! The trek has no shade or cover, so it's best to get on it early or late in the day.

There are a few paths down to the beach from up on the ridge where you park. The path on the north end is paved and is pretty easy to navigate. I recommend wearing your sandals down and leaving them on the beach. You'll thank me on the way back up!

Team

10/16/13

If you've got the whole family with you, this is the hike for you. It's not too long and not too challenging, but obviously rewards you with an awesome waterfall. Be prepared for muddy trails.

Bodysurfing a point break is a real change of pace from getting pounded at Sandy's or Pounders. This a really fun spot if you've got your fins with you. Just an FYI, the parking lot doesn't look the safest, so don't leave valuables in the car.

Team

10/16/13

This is a fun spot to hang out for the day if your'e on the north shore. You can dive off the rock on the south end of the beach or just chill with friends. Grab a bite at pupukea grill and bring it with you to the beach.

Ok, I was a little nervous going into the adventure. Seals sitting on the rocks near the entry point, dark water of the sonoma coast, and tons of kelp obstructing my view underwater. The guides were great at putting everyone ease, helping us spot the abalone and showing the best technique for popping them off the rock. Afterward, we cooked them up and had a couple beers, making for a great end to the day! If you've got time, I definitely recommend camping at Gerstle Cove Campground near the dive site.

If you decide to start this run after work, I recommend either running the route starting w/ Sutro first or bringing a headlamp. Even with the headlamp, it was a little tricky. A definite plus was the IPA at Kezar Pub afterward!

5 star for the workout, 3 star for the weather. It was 80+ driving up the 280 from Palo Alto. When I got to the top in shorts and a t-shirt, it was really cold, the fog had rolled in, and it looked like it might rain. Keep that in mind pre-run.

Best advice is to stay with the pack. If you try to blaze your own trail, you may end up drifting too far north or south of the finish depending on the current. Either way the race is a lot of fun! Definitely worth going the no-wetsuit category at least once!

Although the distance is a little long, this hike is fairly flat. Getting down to the falls, especially the largest one on the beach, can be a little tricky as the path gets narrow and has loose gravel. Just take your time, and keep an eye out for oncoming traffic. The more crowded it gets in the narrower spaces, the more challenging it becomes.

A great place to get a quick workout in and 2 different sets of stairs makes it hard to get bored.

Just be super careful if you go up to the top for the rope swing. Once the ground gets wet up there, it can be really slippery. All in all, a pretty easy hike to have some fun at the falls.

You can pick up wood at the Safeway on La Playa. You should get there early if you want a fire pit. There were people building fires in the sand - not the safest idea, but it was happening.

Team

07/30/13

The beach is beautiful and the waves are really fun. If you're not a great swimmer, it can be pretty dangerous, especially on big days. If you're unsure about your comfort level, play it safe, and enjoy the scenery while hanging out on the beach.

Sorry Lisa, no dogs

The hike is pretty easy and offers up a great view once you make it to the top! Bodysurfing at Makapu'u is really fun and it's more user-friendly than Sandy's.

Kevin is an awesome instructor! He's really patient and encouraging - it was a lot more challenging than I expected.

It's pretty foggy during the summer, so remember to bring layers.

Be sure to bring some cash with you for the beers. They don't take credit cards.