l am going to be in San Fransico and HUntington beach

inexperienced? Long Board. Catch waves easier. Sorry not to insult you if your experienced. l am not really. Just that long boards are way easier to catch a wave.
A man was killed two weeks ago by being bit by a GREAT WHITE SHARK off San Diego. Just a little info there for you. l watch coast gaurd heli went up and down the coast hunting for it and never found it.

l have several ''Classic'' longboards but only use them for ''Big Wave'' rideing or storm surf. If your not sure, strap on the surf racks to the top, and take'm both!

longboard plus it kinda depends on were u go but hungtinton beach doesnt have very big waves most of the time but some secret places there has good sized waves..

l am guessing from the way u put the question that u have both. That is cool. Now, since none of us know exactly what the conditions will be like at any given break, on any given day, bring 'em both.

By the way, where r u ''coming down'' from? l am an east coaster, & things change daily here. That is why l have more than one board. If l drive two hours to the beach, & there is only knee high long-board-able slop, l know l have the right stick in the truck. And l do not want to hear any of the California BS that its always good, l have been there when the Pacific was masquerading as lake Michigan.

deffinatly bring both l was there a couple months ago and the water there can be unpredictable the waves were good siz but you dont want top be disapointed if you have the wrong board with you so l would stay on the safe side and bring both

p.s just a little heads up --you could go on to something like surfline.com or somehting and check out the water conditions for the area your staying at they ever give you some live photos of the area you may be looking for