The California Roadtrip

When brainstorming ideas for our 2025 Resort Campaign, we considered far-flung, tropical destinations like the Maldives or Fiji—places that are undeniably beautiful and vibrant. But we felt it was time to reconnect with our roots. Seea was born in California, inspired by the state's magical waves and coastline, and by the women who bring grace and joy to their local breaks. It had been a few years since we paid homage to California’s culture and surf community, and so the California Road Trip was born. With five stops—Carpinteria, Ventura, Malibu, San Clemente, and Oceanside—we set out to not only feature these iconic spots but to highlight the women who make surfing in these places so special. Weeks of planning, conversations, and inspiration went into finding women in each of the five locations who truly embody the spirit of women’s surfing in California. What started as a way to reconnect with our California roots turned into something more—by the end of the five days, Cara, Eva, and I realized this trip wasn’t just about the surfing. It was about the women we had the privilege to spend each day with.

(From left to right) Cara, Annika, and Eva outside of their VW Vanagon (home for the week)!

Here is the story of five days, five locations, three roadtrippers, one VW Vanagon, and twenty inspiring women with the ethos, anywhere with the right people.

Day 1 (Carpinteria)

The last rays of summer filtered through the windows of our 1984 VW Vanagon as we cruised up PCH toward Oak View, CA.

Cara, our in house photographer and Eva and I, both from marketing, had spent weeks planning the California Road Trip so we were excited to finally be on our way.

The energy was palpable as we pulled into Taylor Amico’s home nestled in the quaint California hills in Oak View, CA , our first stop on our road trip from Carpinteria down to Oceanside. Taylor is a longtime Seea Sister and an incredible longboarder, so it was fitting that we kicked off our adventure with someone so intimately connected to the brand. She offered us warm hospitality, and we left as lifelong friends.

Taylor, her kids Goldie and Byron, and dog Bear!

We woke up to the smell of freshly baked croissants made by Taylor and her husband Caleb Amico. After a little coffee and some morning playtime with their radiant kids, Goldie and Byron, we loaded up the van and headed to Rincon to meet Kate Merrick and her daughter, Fifi. Our day with Kate and Fifi was nothing short of magical. We spent the morning catching baby waves at an almost empty Rincon (a rare treat), chatting about surfing, and soaking in Fifi’s infectious energy and pure joy. After surfing, Kate led us through the winding hills to her stunning farmhouse, where she spoiled us with smoothie bowls, fermented creamed cheese, sourdough discard crackers, and homemade kombucha (keep your eye out for Kate’s recipes, which we'll share soon!). It was such a treat, but the real highlight was Kate herself. Her wisdom, honesty, and vulnerability left a lasting impact on us. 

Kate and her daughter Fifi at Rincon.

For three girls in our twenties, the conversation with Kate—about womanhood, the surf industry, and following your passions—left a deep imprint. After an unforgettable afternoon of impactful conversation, we returned to Taylor’s, where we skated, jumped on the trampoline, and played baseball with Goldie and Byron. Taylor, always generous and kind, made a delicious pesto pasta dinner for us all to enjoy with Kate and Fifi. We shared it over laughter and heartfelt conversation. By the end of this jam-packed day, Eva, Cara, and I were exhausted, but filled with so much life and gratitude for Kate, Taylor, and their wisdom and kindness.

Day 2 (Ventura)

We woke up, again at Taylor’s, excited to meet our day two crew: Catherine Mao, Thembi Hanify, and Avery Smithson. Our day with Kate had been intimate and calming, but today was all about surfing and shooting with local girls, which brought a whole new kind of excitement. As we drove down the Santa Paula Freeway, blasting Fergie and getting silly to pump ourselves up, we could feel the energy building.

We arrived at C-Street, where Thembi, Avery, and Catherine greeted us with their cool vintage cars. Everyone was so kind and ready to shoot, and it helped that the ocean welcomed us with rolling waves and sunny skies. There’s something special about surfing with an all-girl crew—everyone’s calling each other into waves and cheering when someone pulls off a stylish move. After the surf, we headed to Singing Sun Coffee for a little pick-me-up. With coffee and kombucha in hand, Avery checked the surf report, and although Surfline was calling for 22 knots of wind at Rincon, we knew it was a break that doesn’t always report true conditions. So, we decided to take a chance.

Our crew taking photos before a surf at C-Street in Ventura. 

We all piled into our cars and headed north on the PCH. Once we were suited up, we walked down the path to check out the waves. Someone must’ve been looking out for us because there wasn’t a single wisp of wind. Playful waves rolled through a nearly empty lineup. When I say it was one of the most magical surf sessions of my life, I’m not exaggerating. To be at a nearly empty Rincon, surrounded by women, and feeling completely confident in the water is an experience everyone deserves to have. We couldn’t stop smiling. Everyone was catching amazing waves, cheering each other on, and chatting about life and womanhood between long, glassy rides all the way to the beach.

Surfing an empty Rincon with the dream girl squad.  

After this unforgettable session with new friends, we left with full hearts. We drove south on the PCH, watching the sunset and talking about life, love, and how lucky we are to share this beautiful sport with others. 

Day 3 (Malibu)

Malibu is one of California’s most iconic surf spots. From the pier to the Surfrider sign, the surf history at First Point made it a must-stop on our California Road Trip. The energy hits you as soon as you pull into the Malibu parking lot. Even on a random Tuesday, locals line the wall, watching waves roll in, suiting up, and getting ready to paddle out. Our Malibu crew for the day was nothing short of awesome—Erin Ashley, Mai Griffith, Dagmar Seppala, and Lulu Erkeneff.  These women each bring their own style and grace to the break. We were greeted with smiles in the parking lot, along with Mai’s adorable surf kitten, Rigatoni, who instantly stole the show! 

Mai's surf kitty Rigatoni!

Once everyone was suited up, Eva and I soaked in the morning sun, watching in awe as these women navigated the tricky high tide. Despite the less-than-ideal conditions, each of them managed to weave their unique style into every wave. After the surf session, we made our way to the Adamson House for a lifestyle shoot. If you’ve never been, picture your dream wedding venue—lush gardens, intricate decorative tiles, and a stunning coastal backdrop. Once the SD card was full, we wrapped up and headed to Malibu Farms for lunch, admiring the surfers from the iconic Malibu Pier as we ate.

With full hearts and new friends, we said our goodbyes to the Malibu crew and hit the 405 South, heading to Dana Point for the night. We spent the evening at Eva’s childhood home, where her kind and generous family welcomed us with open arms, making it the perfect way to end another incredible day of the trip.

Day 4 (San Onofre)

Seea’s origin story begins at San Onofre, San Clemente. San O is the break that inspired Brian and Amanda, Seea’s founders, to move to San Clemente, set up shop, and start creating the swimsuits we love today. It feels like home every time we surf there—familiar waves reminding us why we make swimsuits by women, for women.

On a foggy morning, Eva, Cara, and I drove down to San O, excited to see what the waves had in store. We met our crew for the day: Mele Saili, Carol Benoit, Naomi Valdez, Stella Gotton, and Valeria Poggi. Despite spanning generations and holding different perspectives on surfing, all of these women regularly find their way to San O to connect with the ocean. The morning was chilly, so we headed out for an initial surf. Despite the cool air, everyone had huge smiles, and the positive energy was contagious. After about an hour, we retreated to the van, where Eva made tea, and Carol shared delicious figs from her tree. Sitting around the van, connecting and sharing stories was a beautiful moment for all of us. 

Hanging around the van and having a classic San Onofre beach day. 

Once we warmed up, we took some fun lifestyle photos, and Cara perfectly captured the essence of San Onofre and the amazing women we were with. The sun finally came out, and the crew headed back for a second surf session while Eva and I went to Seea HQ to catch up with our team. We’re lucky to work with such a wonderful group of women who we also get to call friends! Everyone is so different, yet connected through a shared love of surfing and the ocean.

On our way back to the beach, we picked up Primo’s Tacos, a San Clemente staple and hands down the best tacos in town. We brought them to the beach and caught up with Cara after her second surf session. The rest of the day was spent in classic San O fashion—lounging on the beach, eating delicious food, and chatting with great company.

Waiting for our tacos at Primo's Tacos.

As the sun began to set, Eva and I headed out for a final surf session before our Seea Meet-Up. The waves rolled in, and so did the Seea girls and it was one for the books! We loved meeting so many of you, making s’mores, and talking about all things surf. It filled our hearts and reminded us how grateful we are for the community Seea has built.

Valeria and Annika roasting s'mores at the Seea meet-up. 

The night ended at San Mateo campground, where Eva, Cara, and I cozied up in the van. We did have a small encounter with a baby rattlesnake just before bed—cue a bit of screaming and some water to shoo it away. But after that, we all settled in for a peaceful night of camping and sweet dreams.

Day 5 (Oceanside)

We rose with the sun, loaded up our van (thankfully avoiding any more rattlesnakes), and drove down the 5 South through Camp Pendleton to Oceanside. When we arrived at Oceanside Harbor, the waves looked pretty flat. Each day of the trip seemed to start like this—underwhelming surf reports—but somehow, the waves always came, so we remained hopeful.

Our final day’s crew arrived, bringing the best energy: Danielle Black Lyons, Olga Diaz, Star Deliah, Cher Pendarvis, and Alison Haramis. Danielle greeted us with five bags of passionfruits from her garden, which we immediately cracked open and enjoyed. As we suited up and started shooting we were all a little skeptical of the surf. But after about half an hour, we glanced over to see sets rolling in so we grabbed our boards and jumped in. The vibe in the water was pure joy. Everyone was catching great waves. Alison, who’s 67, was absolutely ripping on her kneeboard—her skill and style was jaw-dropping. There’s something special about surfing with women of all ages, cheering each other on, and having fun.

After an hour, Eva and I headed back to the beach to sit with Cher, who couldn’t surf due to a recent shoulder surgery. Despite that, Cher is a legend in the surfing world—she’s been surfing since the 1960s and was often one of few women surfing in the waves. She paved the way for women in surfing, and listening to her stories about the early days of California surf culture was a true honor. Eva and I soaked in her wisdom about surfing, the industry, and life as a woman in this space.

Cher and Annika sitting at Oceanside Harbor and talking about the surf industry and life. 

Once everyone was out of the water, we gathered for a few more photos around the harbor. Alison and Cher, who are longtime friends, hadn’t seen each other in nearly 10 years. They spent their 20s and 30s surfing together as some of the only women in the lineup. Watching them reconnect, laugh, and reminisce was incredibly special. It made us reflect on our own journeys and hope that one day, we’ll have the same deep connections and stories to share.

Cher and Alison longtime surf friends!

After the shoot, we said our goodbyes to Danielle, Olga, and Star, and headed to Alison’s sailboat with Cher and her husband. Listening to Alison talk about sailing and surfing with such passion was inspiring—it was clear she and her husband live a life full of adventure. Eva, Cara, and I were in awe of their experiences, and it felt like such a privilege to learn from them.

As the day came to a close, Eva and I hugged Cara goodbye with so much gratitude. Cara drove south and Eva and I brought the van back north to San Clemente. This trip had surpassed all our expectations. We thought we’d just be capturing photos of women surfing, but it became so much more; we formed lifelong connections with some of the coolest people we’ve ever met. The California Road Trip reminded us why we do what we do. Surfing isn’t just about catching the perfect wave or nailing a stylish cross step—it’s about the friendships, the shared experiences, and the common language of the ocean.

We’re endlessly thankful to every woman who joined us on this trip. You all taught us so much, and the biggest lesson we’re taking with us is that life is always richer when it’s shared.

Thank you to everyone who made the California Road Trip possible. We are so grateful for every smile, new friend, old connection, and helping hand!

With all our love,

Eva, Cara, Annika, and the entire Seea team