I guarantee that for many of us the Beach Boys music will make us feel the warm glow of the California sunshine and hear the sound of the waves. The excitement of joy of those songs launched the phenomena of surfing to the world and growing up in places like San Francisco it was probably always part of your life as it was mine. The consistent glorious Californian weather, the ideal beaches and the surfer's favorite Pacific waves mean that for many California surfing became their whole life.

In my younger days we thought nothing of cutting school to head for the waves. Boards on the car, provisions and surf gear loaded and we were away heading west for the beach. The Pacific did not always offer the great waves we needed but that was not important to us as we were teenagers, free and at the ocean. Whereas most people were stuck in lives where the ocean was far off and who could only imagine the feel of what it was like to live near the ocean and feel the thrill of California surfing.

Some people believe that it is easy to just locate a beach on the coast, throw on your suit and start paddling. Only very ignorant people attempt such a thing. The best waves are known to be off the coast of Santa Cruz and parts of Southern California, and you'd be hard-pressed to find a secluded beach that only you have thought of for surfing. Normally if no one is in the vicinity, the waves are either bad or you have to contend with sharks. Though there will be no signs, it is a safe bet to look elsewhere along the coast if you have never gone California surfing.

If you have discovered a prime location for trying out your board, it is probably normal that you will confront some odd and territorial creatures that are inextricably tied to California surfing: the surfer. These half-men/half-seal creatures will usually appear in groups, and can be friendly or aggressive depending on where you go and how competent you are at the sport. If you understand the unspoken etiquette that exists among these men folk, such as giving space to those around you or not taking someone else's wave than you may get out alive. However, some of these surfers can spare no time or modicum of courtesy to ask you kindly to get off their beach. They may just surf over your head if you get in the way and let the sharks finish you off.

Hey I'm only kidding really. Far be it from me to spoil your dream of a 'surfin' safari'. California really is the only place in the world for surfers to follow their dreams and find that great big wave that never ends. I know how it is when, it gets under your skin and the itch can only be scratched by surge under your board of a big roller that never quite overtakes you. You really talk to God when California surfing.