(Photo: Michael Dweck)

Get up with the sun and check the Gilgo Beach surfcam at Bungersurf.com. If you think you know what you’re doing, hit the early-morning glass. If not, talk to Charlie at the Bunger Surf Shop (50 E. Main St., at Deer Park Ave., Babylon; 631-669-2323): He’s been surfing Gilgo since 1962 and will gladly get you started with a rental or a lesson. After you’ve worked up an appetite, double back to the urban-shredder haunt Hurricane Hopeful (139 N. 6th St., at Bedford Ave., Williamsburg; 718-302-4441), a sandy-floored brunch spot where owner Ben Sargent slings coffee up front (ask for the Dawn Patrol blend) and shapes surfboards in back. Then dash down to The Plant (25 Jay St., at John St., Dumbo; 718-722-7541) for one of its Saturday-afternoon raw-cooking courses—or maybe just a No. 8, the grapefruit-kale-apple-lime juice—before you head back into the city. Raw energy can feel a lot like the jitters: Rollerblade it off at Chelsea Piers (see Saturdays), the closest thing we’ve got to Venice Beach. For dinner, it’s the rear garden at Pure Food and Wine (54 Irving Pl., at 17th St.; 212-477-1010), where you can taste how much you have left to learn about California cuisine. Order the signature lasagne and a Napa wine (may we suggest the 2003 Hendry Ranch Zin?). Finish off the night uptown with drinks at the bar at Koi in the Bryant Park Hotel (40 W. 40th St., nr. Sixth Ave.; 212-921-3330). The City of Angels import closes at eleven, at which point you should retire for the evening, like a true Californian.

Summer Stuff for Triathletes, Jocks, Watermen, and Spectators
• Agendas for Competition Junkies and More
• How to Pretend You’re in Cali
• Sweat Without Setting Foot in a Gym
• Swim to Brooklyn or Die Trying
• Catch Your Supper in the Rockaways
• Ride Your Bike to Montauk
• Hit the Links for $400k or $51

Related:

• Archive: “Features”
• Articles by Nick Hofstadter
• Table of Contents: Jul 10, 2006 issue of New York | Subscribe!