California trip with 13 year old son

[heavyc]

In July taking my 13 year old son to California for a 7-10 day trip, was thinking of a couple of days of surfing, some ocean rafting around Channel's Island, some whitewater rafting (American River or Kern?) might climb some easy multipitch for one day also, anyone have some advice on location for beginner surfers or better stuff to do, I am really not set on a location could just wanted him to see some wilderness, redwoods etc., he has surfed once before in South Carolina and did okay

[One-Fall]

Jerry, what an awesome sounding trip. Cant wait to have a kid and do that with them.

[clif]

the LA to san diego beaches can be really crowded with surfers and makes it pretty competitive to get in, and cold water (i'd suspect even in july) most of the rest of the more northern coastline i dipped into, so--wetsuit/top?

its not really part of a bigger circle, but i loved the needles, remote but also user friendly, great moderates, memorable setting and visually distinctive. didn't do it, but i think it was the kern river that flows through the valley near the needles which looked like it would provide a pretty wild and remote experience, you prolly know the american is near sac/sf and pretty heavily used.

sounds awesome.

[dustonian]

Pismo Beach or Carpinteria area for good surfing, Lover's Leap for great moderate multipitch if you go that far north. Tahquitz Rock is really amazing too if you are more Socal-based.