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Ponytails 84.3
#1435 of 5753 surf spots in the world · 🇺🇸 United States of America · California · near Paso Robles
Works almost every day, no off season.
Works all yearIntermediate
Surf score84.3 /100
Surfable days100% of the year
Clean days45% groundswell + friendly wind
Groundswell71% period 11 s+
Typical size1.4 m 4.5 ft median
Water14°C a 4/3 with boots
Best time to surf Ponytails
The best time to surf Ponytails is January, February, November. The season runs Sep to Mar. In November the water sits around 15°C, so pack a 4/3 with boots, and the typical wave is 1.3 m. The nearest airport is SBA (176 km) and the nearest town is Paso Robles (40 km).
| Month | Surfable | Clean | Size | Water | Suit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 100% | 71% | 1.9 m | 14°C | 4/3 |
| Feb | 100% | 60% | 1.6 m | 14°C | 4/3 |
| Mar | 100% | 42% | 1.6 m | 13°C | 4/3 |
| Apr | 100% | 22% | 1.5 m | 14°C | 4/3 |
| May | 100% | 19% | 1.5 m | 12°C | 5/4 |
| Jun | 100% | 27% | 1.3 m | 13°C | 5/4 |
| Jul | 100% | 32% | 1.2 m | 12°C | 5/4 |
| Aug | 100% | 35% | 1.1 m | 14°C | 4/3 |
| Sep | 100% | 57% | 1.2 m | 16°C | 3/2 |
| Oct | 100% | 58% | 1.3 m | 15°C | 4/3 |
| Nov | 99% | 73% | 1.3 m | 15°C | 4/3 |
| Dec | 99% | 57% | 1.7 m | 15°C | 4/3 |
Why 84.3
Seven parts, each normalised 0 to 1 and weighted; the sum is scaled so the best spot in the world is 100.
Consistency 26%
26.0
Clean days 24%
24.0
Groundswell 12%
12.0
Season spread 10%
10.0
Wave size 8%
3.7
Water comfort 10%
0.7
Access 10%
5.8
The detail
Faces 230° with 47% open water around it. Friendly morning wind 64% of days. Mean peak period 12.5 s. Days over 3 m: 1%. Mellow days (0.4 to 1.2 m): 32%. Months that work: 12 of 12. Coordinates 35.598, -121.132 (OpenStreetMap).
Spots nearby
Boners🇺🇸 United States of America · score 84.2Moonstone🇺🇸 United States of America · score 84.6San Simeon Point🇺🇸 United States of America · score 84.0Mouse Rock🇺🇸 United States of America · score 85.3
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