The Ranch — Pt. Conception to Gaviota is the Ranch, a famous area.To get to the Ranch, leave Santa Barbara early in the morning to take advantage of the calm conditions. It can get windy in this area, but the prevailing wind is offshore. Stay close enough to shore to benefit from the lee, but stay at least a mile off to avoid kelp beds. You will need a good wetsuit. It's a good idea to plan to stay several days. The first place I usually head for is Drake's (34 deg. 27.96 min. N, 120deg. 16.24 min. W). There is a point there that you can tuck under, and the anchorage is a little rolly, but not bad. It's a right break on a reef at the point. You can walk or take your dinghy to Little Drake's, about half a mile up the coast. If you anchor at Drake's, look back toward Santa Barbara. The first point you see is Razor Blades, another spot. In fact, there are many breaks in this area. The next anchorage is Coho (34deg. 26.83min N, 120deg. 26.53 min W), in the lee of Government Point. Here you have access to Government's, Perko's and Coho. From the anchorage, look west to see Government's. At times, this wave will be big. There is a peak outside at the point and another inside the point. Outside is bigger, inside is longer, both are rights. Perko's is a right at the anchorage, under the big yellow-brown cliff. You paddle to the wave from your boat. The takeoff is in a kelp patch, so be careful. This is a great wave and is fun even if it is small. Coho is that first point east of the anchorage. This wave is really good and often crowded (by Ranch standards) You can reach it in your dinghy.
Refugio — Moving toward Santa Barbara, if you like small waves, try Refugio (34deg. 27.63 min. N, 120 deg. 04.29 min. W).
Campus Point — And if you don't mind oily water, you can anchor in the lee of Campus Point (34deg. 24.71 min N, 119 deg. 50.26 min W) and surf the break with the UCSB students.
