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S.F. Bay Area
Half Moon Bay Attractions
Mavericks

2008 Mavericks Surf Contest
Saturday, January 12, 2008
8am

Surfers at Half Moon Bay, California

Mavericks Surfing
Pillar Point
Princeton-by-the-Sea
near Half Moon Bay, CA

Best "Big Wave" Surfing Spot
Mavericks is one of the world's best "big wave" surfing spots — famous for its huge waves (50+ feet) and popular with surfers the world over.

Mavericks Surf Contest draws over 50,000 spectators and millions of TV and internet viewers from around the globe. Its famous "big waves" break about one mile off-shore in Princeton-by-the Sea.

It's a fun place to watch from afar as the surfers compete — be prepared to arrive very early and climb steep cliffs, bluffs and embankments to get a better view. And don't forget to bring your binoculars. Be prepared to pay for parking and shuttle service.

Note: You'll probably get a better view if you watch the competition via LIVE webcast on your computer screen.

Surfing at Half Moon Bay, California

How Mavericks Got Its Name
In the 1960's, surfer Alex Matienzo paddled out to ride the summer waves near the reef. Maverick, his German Shepherd, who seemed to have an affinity to cold salt water, paddled out alongside him. Alex, fearing for his dog's safety in the turbulent swells, took Maverick back to his car. Since then, the dog's name stuck to the site.

Directions to Maverick's
and Pillar Point Marsh
Mavericks is located just south of Pillar Point, near Half Moon Bay.

Take Highway 1 north of Half Moon Bay about 4 miles. Turn left on Capistrano Road at the traffic light, past Pillar Point Harbor. Continue past the harbor entrance to Prospect Way and turn left. Turn left on Prospect Way. Drive west on Harvard Avenue until it merges onto West Point Avenue. Follow West Point up the hill to the small, unmarked parking lot.

Park in the Pillar Point Marsh lot and hike about one mile uphill, along the sandy footpath to the isolated viewing area on the bluffs.

"Ghost Tree" Monster Waves
December 4th was a very significant surfing day at "Ghost Tree" in Monterey, California. The mammoth surf break featured monster waves (70+ feet) - the highest ever surfed in Monterey County.

Watch a Spectacular Video of the Big Wave Surfing in Monterey

Top

Mavericks Surf Contest
Late December - March 31st
Each year, on just 24-40 hours' notice, top surfers from around the world descend upon the cold waters of Half Moon Bay — at Northern California's most famed surf break — for the chance to compete in the Mavericks Surf Contest and ride what many consider to be "the most dangerous waves in the world."

The first week of December 2007 will go down as "one of the best weeks ever" for surfing in Northern California.

Watch a Video featuring some of the largest waves ever surfed off the Half Moon Bay Beaches

Mavericks Surf Contest takes place about a half-mile offshore from Pillar Point. The contest date is chosen based on projected swell heights and wind speeds. Because of such short notice, this annual contest is one of the world's most sponteneous world-class athletic events.

Big Wave Surfing

Surfing at Half Moon Bay, California

Use Caution
Note that there is only a small section of bluff overlooking the "surf contest" area, but it is very steep and can be muddy. The viewing area also gets extremely crowded during the surfing event — Professional News Agencies and Photographers arrive early to stake out and take over the best viewing locations.

Surfers at Half Moon Bay, California

Parking During Contest
Parking can be horrendous and ticketing is aggressively enforced. The viewing areas are also a long walk from most parking locations.

Watch LIVE via "Big Screen" Webcast at AT&T Park
Watch Mavericks Surf Contest
LIVE via Webcast on AT&T Stadium's 130 x 30-ft Jumbo Screen — great view and fun party!
Call AT&T Park for more info.

Underwater Terrain of Mavericks
Click here to see images, including animation with a wave's eye view of the ocean floor as it rises and focuses on Pillar Point

Maverick's Boat Tour
What better way to see the surfing event than from the water — close up to all the action. More Info

Surf Conditions
Click here for more info on
Surf Conditions

More Info
415-462-6200
Mavericks

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