What time of day is best to watch people surf?

Different breaks are better on different tides. There are some great low tide breaks, while others are high, and other may be best on a rising or falling tide. Every place is different. However, if there are waves in the early morning, that is when most of your hard core surfers are out. Folks go out to get in the water before the kooks and tourists arrive (or if you are old like me, so you don't embarrass yourself in front of a crowd!). Also, lots or surfers really do have jobs, and they try to get a session in before having to go to work. It's almost always less crowded early in the morning, and it's much more peaceful. Catch the folks on 'Dawn patrol" some morning. 6:30/9:30 will be prime time. After that, it's a roll of the dice.

the best surf is not always at high tide, each spot has a tide that it breaks best on, be it high, low, rising, or falling. for the sheer purpose of watching surfers in cali id say try making your way out to the beach anywhere from morning to mid afternoon. when the sun starts to go down the surfers will get backlit and it will be really hard to see them against the glare. since your on the west coast the sun will be shining from the beach out to the lineup in the morning making it really easy to see the surfers. also morning sessions usually have the nicest waves because the wind hasnt gotten on teh waves yet. have fun, take some pics, and enjoy

The best tide varies by spot, but some famous surf spots in San Diego including Blacks, or Wind an Sea or most places on La Jolla Shores. It all depends on the swell.

You have to wait, watch the ocean. When the tides are high, thats best for surfing. Like the guy above me mentioned the best spots are in Cali and in SD. If your really hardcore, try South Africa!

If your wanting to be impressed go to the Wedge about two - three hours before sunset. It's about an hour drive from San Diego, but it will be worth it if there happens to be a swell in. I can't even put into words how cool it is to watch. Here's a link to a site that will tell you all about it and give you directions on how to get there http://aboutthebreak.com/wedge.php

Course it's mostly bodyboarders at the wedge, so if your set on watching surfers and only surfers go to any local pier at sunset. Problem with this yahoo answer thing is that you can't really tell who knows what their talking about. So good luck.

check your local tides its in the paper usually under the weather report when High Tide starts coming in SURFS UP!

high tide, early morning. check a surf website like surfline.com for a report on the swell, and go on a bigger day.

go to oceanside beach!!

I prefer the morning because that's when the best waves are out.