California's Classic Winter Sessions: Ocean Beach & El Porto
When the Pacific sends its best swells to California, surfers and photographers brace for magic. This winter delivered two standout sessions—one a test of endurance at San Francisco's Ocean Beach, the other a rare treat at LA's El Porto. Both remind us why we chase waves: the challenge, the beauty, and the pure stoke.
Ocean Beach: Where Every Barrel Earns Its Stripes
January 12, 2026, at Ocean Beach wasn't just good surf—it was a brutal, beautiful masterpiece. As reported by The Inertia, the infamous SF stretch turned into a conveyor belt of freight-train waves. Highlights show surfers carving under towering peaks, but what the camera misses? Hours of relentless paddling against currents that feel like moving sidewalks. Fullsuits don't help when shoulders ache like lead weights after barrel after barrel. Yet, ask any OG OB local—days like this are why we brave the cold. Photographers here earn their keep, freezing fingers clicking as waves peel wide, offering endless angles for the perfect shot.
El Porto: When a Closeout Spot Turns Paradise
Head south to El Porto, where January 4, 2026, flipped the script. Typically a zone of closeouts, this LA County gem transformed into a peaky playground. Filmmaker Brad Jacobson was there, capturing what he calls one of the best days at El Porto—long carves, clean walls, and turns that made you forget the usual chop. As The Inertia noted, it’s a rare treat when this spot cooperates. For photographers, it’s a dream: manageable crowds, forgiving light, and waves that beg for creative framing. Jacobson’s footage proves you don’t need world-class breaks to capture surfing joy—just a day when the ocean smiles.
Why These Stories Matter
Ocean Beach and El Porto bookend California’s surfing spectrum—raw power versus playful perfection. Both sessions underscore a truth: every wave tells a story. For surfers, it’s about pushing limits; for photographers, it’s about freezing moments of connection. Whether you’re dodging currents in SF or trimming along a wally in LA, these days remind us why we wake up pre-dawn, check buoys, and chase the horizon.