The left break off Fort Point directly beneath the Golden Gate Bridge may be one of the world's most challenging waves. For surfers brave enough to dodge tankers and tempt the raging current, it's an accessible spot. It's even better for spectators when a big swell comes in. You can stand on the rocks and practically reach out and touch the daredevils as they maneuver for position. Fort Point takes a combination of conditions to break; it's dependent largely on tide and swell direction, and can go from dead flat to large, breaking surf in a matter of hours. With larger swells in the North Pacific, it is pretty consistent all winter long (October–April), but can break from time to time in the summer if the conditions are right. Warning: This is not for beginners, and the locals are very territorial.