Rincon
Cobblestone right point at the Santa Barbara / Ventura county line. Long-period northwest groundswell magnet shaped by the Pt. Conception swell window and Santa Barbara Channel refraction.
Spot intel
Parking
Lot off the 101 at the Bates Road exit, about 40 spaces. Fills early when it's breaking.
Crowd
Thick. Locals run the lineup.
Beginner-friendly?
No.
A cobblestone point break with a heavy crowd and a strict priority order. Not a wave to learn on.
Famous for
The Queen of the Coast. A right-hand cobblestone point that links three sections under the right west-northwest swell. One of the best-known winter waves in California.
Lineup etiquette
Priority goes to the surfer deepest on the point. One wave, one rider.
When it's on
West through northwest groundswell with light offshore wind from the northeast through east. Mid to low tide window.
Where it breaks
- Coordinates
- 34.3680, -119.4760
- Shore faces
- SSW
- Region
- Carpinteria, California
Common questions
- What swell direction is best for Rincon?
- Rincon works best on a W to NNE swell.
- How big does Rincon need to be?
- Rincon is best in the 3-12ft range on a 14-20s period.
- What are the best conditions at Rincon?
- Light or offshore wind under about 8 knots, with the tide around 1-3.5ft.
- Where is Rincon?
- Rincon is a cobblestone right point in Carpinteria, California. The beach faces SSW.
- Does GhostFingers forecast Rincon?
- Yes. GhostFingers grades Rincon with a six-tier verdict from swell height, period, direction, tide, and wind. iPhone, summer 2026.
New to reading a forecast? Start here.
Launching summer 2026.
Six-tier verdicts for every California break, calibrated to swell, period, direction, tide, and wind.
Nearby spots
- Refugio · Beginner-friendly
- Devereux · Famous + beginner-friendly
- Campus Point · Famous + beginner-friendly