Every year Southern California’s nomadic pro surfers pack up their trucks for a long drive north. The draw is the prestigious “Cold Water Classic” crown at Santa Cruz’s legendary competition proving grounds of Steamers Lane.

However many of the surfers design the drive into more than getting to another comp. Instead it becomes a road trip, with the contest only a small carrot in the salad of possibilities. We leave early and stay late, surfing every wave possible along the way. We pack a complete quiver of boards as well as our favorite toys for the flat days: Skateboards, mountain bikes, cameras, camping gear and anything they can fit will go.

Here is a bit of the surf I stumbled upon during this year’s road trip to the ‘other’ California. Hope you enjoy. -- Eli Mirandon