Cerritos, Pescadero, and Todos Santos are part of one of the most accessible surf regions in Baja Sur. This area is popular among first-time visitors due to its blend of surf schools, beach facilities, and consistent wave conditions. However, not every beach in this region is suitable for beginners. While Cerritos Beach is perfect for those learning to surf, nearby spots like San Pedrito and La Pastora cater to more advanced surfers. This guide will provide new visitors with essential information, including the best times to visit, safe surfing locations, how to find lessons, and what to expect from the towns that support the local surf scene.
When to Go: Understanding the Surf Seasons in Cerritos and Its Neighboring Towns
Getting the timing right is vital to having a great Baja surf experience. Cerritos, Pescadero, and Todos Santos are on the Pacific coastline about an hour north of Cabo San Lucas. The region offers waves year-round, but each season is different. The conditions will vary, and not all times of the year are optimal for beginners and casual surfers.
Winter: When the Sets Keep Coming
Winter lasts from December to February and is the region’s most consistent surf season. This consistent activity is primarily due to powerful northwesterly swells across the Pacific, resulting in larger waves and more frequent surf days. This period is considered peak season for experienced surfers.
For beginners, it is essential to check the water conditions each day to determine whether it is safe to surf. Some winter mornings in Cerritos offer gentle rollers perfect for lessons, while other days can feature head-high surf and strong currents better suited for experienced paddlers. Surf schools adapt their lessons accordingly, and instructors are trustworthy when you seek their advice.
Spring: Smooth Takeoffs and Steady Lines
Spring, especially March and April, offers a calmer window. The big winter swells start to fade, and lighter southern swells begin to appear. Mornings tend to be glassy, with mid-sized, approachable waves. For most travelers learning to surf, spring is the safest bet. The weather is warm, the water stays manageable, and the lineup is relaxed.
Summer: Chasing Swell, Watching the Forecast
Summer is less predictable. From June through August, the southern hemisphere sends long-period swells to Baja’s coast, and the occasional hurricane offshore can generate powerful surf. Conditions change fast. Some days are flat, others bring overhead waves. But the water is warm, and there’s usually something rideable for beginners near shore.
Fall: Clean Conditions, Strong Finish
Fall, particularly in October and early November, offers the best of both worlds. The heat subsides while the ocean remains warm. Swells from both directions come together, creating ideal surf conditions. This shoulder season attracts surfers back after the summer lull. For visitors, it’s a perfect time to enjoy versatile waves, pleasant weather, and plenty of space. The World Surf League hosts the Pacifico Surf Open Cerritos in November for good reason. This season truly delivers.
Where to Surf: Breaks for All Skill Levels in Cerritos, Pescadero, and Todos Santos
The coastline between Todos Santos and Cerritos is home to a handful of surf breaks, each with a distinct personality. Knowing which ones match your level, especially if you’re starting, is key.
Cerritos Beach is the area’s most accessible and beginner-friendly wave. Cerritos handles swells from multiple directions in a wide bay with a sandy bottom and rarely goes flat. On small days, the inside section offers long, rolling whitewater perfect for learning. Instructors set up right on the beach, and lessons are available year-round. More experienced surfers head to the beach’s northern end, where a rocky point occasionally produces fast, peeling rights during a winter swell. But the heart of Cerritos is its approachability. It’s one of the few places in Baja where families, first-timers, and seasoned surfers can all find a wave.
San Pedrito in Pescadero is a different experience. It’s a reef break with a rocky bottom and a more powerful wave that demands confidence and timing. When the winter swell lines up, it turns on. The takeoffs are steeper, the rides faster. It’s not a place for beginners, but it’s often empty during shoulder seasons and draws a dedicated group of locals and returning visitors who know what they’re doing.
La Pastora sits north of Todos Santos and offers one of the region’s heaviest waves. On the right swell, it can be double overhead and hollow. This is a wave for advanced surfers only. But even for non-surfers, the remote beach and the power of the ocean make it worth a visit just to watch.
A Culture Built on Waves: What Makes Surf Life in Cerritos Unique
Surf culture in this stretch of Baja is shaped less by performance and more by rhythm. There’s no rush to get in the water. Mornings start with coffee, a stretch, then a slow walk to check the swell. If it’s working, people paddle out. If not, there’s always tomorrow.
Cerritos, Pescadero, and Todos Santos each play a role. Cerritos is the most accessible. Where surf schools, rentals, and casual beachgoers meet. It’s common to see families mixing with traveling surfers, instructors guiding first-timers, and longboarders cruising mellow waves. The beach itself is a social space. Lessons wrap, boards get stacked, and everyone ends up at the taco stand or cafe nearby.
In Pescadero, the mood shifts. San Pedrito attracts more experienced surfers, and the lineup reflects that. Mornings here are quieter. It’s often just a handful of locals, expats, and returning visitors who know when to show up and where to sit. The surf culture is focused but not unwelcoming.
Todos Santos has a broader identity. Surfing blends with the town’s artistic and culinary energy. You’ll find surfers who paint, gallery owners who surf, and travelers who came for a weekend and never left. La Pastora, the town’s heaviest break, mirrors that spirit. It’s remote, powerful, and a little mysterious.
There’s a shared respect across all three towns. For the ocean, local customs, and people who’ve been here long before surfing arrived. Visitors who tune in to that rhythm and who approach the lineup with humility and curiosity tend to find their place quickly.
A Short History of Surfing in Cerritos, Pescadero, and Todos Santos
Surfing was not part of the region’s identity for many generations, but once it arrived, it stayed. The first surfers came in the 1970s and early ’80s, drawn by word of mouth and curiosity. They followed dirt roads and asked fishermen about waves. They found empty beaches, long rights, and few people around to care.
At the time, Todos Santos was still a quiet agricultural town. Pescadero was smaller still. There were no surf shops, no signs pointing to beaches, and no forecasts. Surfers camped on the sand at Cerritos and San Pedrito, cooked over fires, and shared stories of big days. It was remote, raw, and full of promise.
Things changed slowly. The highway connecting the area to Cabo San Lucas and La Paz improved. Word spread. A few surf schools opened in the early 2000s, and lessons, rentals, and infrastructure came with them. Cerritos, in particular, shifted. The beach that once hosted van lifers became a base for beginners and families. Restaurants opened. Rentals popped up. But the waves that attracted everyone in the first place remained.
At the same time, the local surf scene began to grow. Young surfers from Todos Santos and Pescadero learned on borrowed boards. Some trained at Cerritos and competed up and down the coast. A few gained sponsors. Surfing wasn’t just something tourists did. It became part of local identity.
Today, that blend is still visible. The breaks hold stories from every era. You’ll find visiting surfers chasing warm-water fun, local kids getting their first rides, and longtime residents who remember when it was all sand and silence. The past in Cerritos and its neighboring towns is recent enough to shape the present still.
Learning to Surf in Cerritos Beach: Lessons, Rentals, and Support
For first-time surfers, this region offers a rare mix of gentle waves and experienced instructors. Cerritos Beach is the center of it all. The beach has a natural layout that lends itself to learning. It is vast, sandy, and consistent enough to offer rideable waves most days of the year.
Surf schools operate directly on the beach. Mario Surf School is one of the oldest and most respected. Mario and his team have taught everyone, from small children to traveling retirees. Lessons are structured but relaxed, focused on safety, balance, and confidence. Most include board rental, rash guard, and one-on-one guidance in the water. For families, they’ll tailor the session so that everyone, kids and adults, gets what they need.
CRT Surf School and Pescadero Surf Camp also offer instruction and rentals, with bilingual staff and a good range of equipment. You can arrange lessons on short notice. Which is helpful if you are visiting for the day. The instructors live locally and know the conditions. Depending on the tides or wind, they’ll move a session earlier or later, which makes a real difference.
If you know the basics, board rentals are widely available on the beach or in town. Most shops offer soft-tops, longboards, and a few smaller boards for more advanced riders. Rates are reasonable, and rentals often include basic instruction or tips if you ask.
Everything about learning to surf here is set up to make it feel approachable. You don’t need to arrive with gear or experience. You just need time, curiosity, and sunscreen.
Beyond the Breaks: Where Surfers Eat, Hang, and Recharge
Surf trips aren’t just about the waves. In this part of Baja, the in-between moments are just as memorable. The rhythm of the day tends to revolve around the surf, but there’s no shortage of places to fuel up, wind down, or meet others doing the same. Options abound for morning coffee, late lunches, and post-session sunsets.
Pescadero: Morning Fuel and a Sunday Scene
In Pescadero, Baja Beans is a local fixture. It opens early, serves strong coffee, and pulls in surfers, families, and farmers alike. It becomes a community market with live music and local vendors on Sundays. We recommend calling in advance, as the market only happens during certain seasons.
Cerritos: Post-Session Staples by the Sand
In Cerritos, Barracuda Cantina is a post-surf staple. Casual, open-air, and right on the beach, it’s known for fish tacos, cold beer, and that unbeatable view of the lineup from your table.
Shaka’s is another vibrant gathering spot near Cerritos Beach. The cantina offers a diverse menu that blends traditional Mexican dishes with Tex-Mex and Thai influences. Complementing the food is a selection of curated cocktails, including their signature “Shakarita,” all served in a relaxed, open-air setting.
Todos Santos: Slower Pace, Bigger Flavor
Todos Santos has a different pace. It’s more of a town than a beach hub, which shows in the food. La Esquina is where many surfers start or end their day. It’s a shaded cafe near the edge of town with healthy breakfasts, fresh juices, and the occasional live music night. George’s Tacos, by contrast, is the definition of low-key: a roadside stand with a loyal following and some of the best shrimp tacos around. These are just a couple of options in Todos Santos, but its culinary scene deserves a whole blog post as it is very diverse and rich.
These spots aren’t just places to eat. They’re part of the local surf ecosystem. After a few days, you start recognizing faces. Conversations move from small talk to shared plans. A good cafe or taco stand becomes your second base. And between sessions, that’s precisely what you want.
Planning Your Trip to Cerritos: Logistics & Travel Tips
Most visitors fly into Los Cabos International Airport (SJD), about 90 minutes from Cerritos Beach by car. Renting a vehicle is strongly recommended. Todos Santos, Pescadero, and Cerritos (the three main towns in this region of the Pacific Ocean) are spread out. There’s little public transport. Driving lets you reach the beach at dawn, explore nearby breaks, and move between towns quickly.
The main roads are paved and in good condition, though several access points are still dirt. A high-clearance vehicle helps, but a compact car will get you to Cerritos and San Pedrito without issue. Avoid driving at night, as livestock and poor lighting make it risky.
A Wide Array of Accommodations for Every Taste and Budget. The Cove at Cerritos: Relaxed Luxury with an Unbeatable Location
Accommodations range from budget-friendly surf hostels to beachfront villas. Families and beginners often stay near Cerritos Beach, where it’s easy to walk to lessons or watch the waves while kids play on the sand. Todos Santos offers more restaurants, galleries, and cultural options. It’s a good base if you want more than surf. The Cove at Cerritos provides luxury condos with shared amenities like a pool right on a beach adjacent to Cerritos Beach. It is a perfect choice for those who want a high-end stay yet laid back and at a very short distance from the central hub of activity in Cerritos, yet quiet and peaceful.
Packing is simple. Bring sun protection, a rash guard, and swimwear. The water can cool off in winter, especially in the mornings, so a spring suit or a 2mm top can make a difference. As mentioned before, Surfboards are easy to rent locally, and lessons come with all the gear you’ll need.
Cell service is decent in town, spotty on the beach. Most cafes and rentals offer Wi-Fi. The pace is slow, and that’s part of the appeal. This isn’t a trip to over-plan. If you’re flexible and open to the local rhythm, the waves usually show up when you need them.
Finding Your Footing: A First Session Well Spent
Surfing in Cerritos, Pescadero, and Todos Santos is easy to navigate, even for first-time visitors. With the right beach, a good instructor, and clear expectations, most people find it simple to get started. The enjoyable aspects of food, relaxation, and the local vibe make the experience practical, laid-back, and worthy of a return visit. The luxury condos at The Cove at Cerritos serve as an excellent base for exploring what the region offers to both experienced and novice surfers. Visit our booking page to check for availability.
