Drive through the Outer Sunset on any given day and you will find a lot of low-pro bros getting in and out of wet suits, waxing boards and heading over Great Highway to charge some swell. San Francisco is not synonymous with great surfing, but on the right day, with the right swell, Ocean Beach can throw anywhere from two to eighteen feet of amazing surf. The best and most feared beach break in California, OB provides three miles of waves for residents and visitors alike.

Up and down the beach, there are many different breaks. Starting at the north end, there is Kelly's Cove, just south of the Cliff House. VFW's is right in front of the old Veterans of Foreign War post, which is now the Beach Chalet. Other spots include Judah, Noriega, Quintara and Fleishhacker's, named for the now defunct Fleischeker pool, which was filled to create the San Francisco Zoo parking lot.

OB isn't the only place to surf in San Francisco. Underneath the Golden Gate Bridge, you will find people surfing at Fort Point. On the right north-west swell, with an outgoing tide, arguably the most picturesque wave in all of California starts to break. Everything feels oversized when you are in the water. With the bridge towering over-head, The City in the distance and enormous container ships steaming by. This is a rare and wonderful left, but don't mess with the locals, as a boogie boarder who did just that was punched and held underwater a few years back.

Just west of Fort Point, you will find Dead Man's Break. Rumor has it that, this little cove is where many of the bridge jumpers end up, hence the name, but if you don't know what you're doing, it's how you might end up, considering the rocks and the locals. This is an advanced wave and should be approached with caution.

San Francisco has its share of surf shops as well. Aqua is a nice surf shop, with a lot of clothes, a few boards and good rentals located at 47th and Sloat. Sunset Surf Shop at 45th and Noriega is more a club house than surf shop, but they have a nice selection of used boards and their prices can't be beat. Plus the place always smells like someone is smoking weed in the back, so it is easy to feel at home. Mollusk, at 47th and Irving, is considered by many to be the premier "retro shape" board dealer in California. The boards they sell at this boutique surf shop are old school, but the prices are not. They also have really cool original t-shirts and hoodies. Wise Surf Shop is located in the condo complex that replaced Playland-by-the-Sea, oh so many years ago. Wise has the best selection of boards and wet suits, good prices and tons of friendly staff to help you pick the right equipment.

Surfing is a challenge for a lifetime and a challenge that should not be taken lightly. Many people have been hurt or killed surfing the treacherous, cold waters of San Francisco. Make sure you have a good, warm wetsuit, don't go out in surf that is too far above your skill level, always surf with a buddy and don't trust whitey, the shark that is. See you out on the waves.