If we were vindictive, sadistic sociopaths, we'd send you to the mouth of the Santa Ana River or some other non-surf spot, knowing full well you take our recommendations like the Word. But we're reading a lot of Buddhist literature at this point, so we'll give you the obvious truth: San Onofre. No, seriously! With Interstate 5 going right by this stretch of beach and near the radioactive tits called the San Onofre nuclear plant, you could miss it if not for the lines of cars and RVs. Longtime surfers lionize it as their Vatican; everyone else will be amazed by the plentiful peaks of surf and secret camping grounds found by researching Internet sites provided by the government parks. It's not so far, but it is far enough away to almost be a secret.