Surf Guide

Five miles of classic California beaches and communities. Again, the best bet is lower tides, dual swells and to hope for sandbars. All spots south of Manhattan are increasingly shadowed from south/summer swell. Hermosa Beach is the most happening surf/beach town in the South Bay. There's something going on every week during the prime summer months -- craft fairs, parades, concerts and the annual surf festival held in early August. Hermosa is also the home of Body Glove and the Cuervo Gold Volleyball Tour.

Ability Level

Beginner - Intermediate

BegIntAdv

beginner to intermediate

Local Vibe

Welcoming

WelcomingIntimidating

"...How do you get up on this thing?"

Crowd Factor

Moderate

MellowHeavy

usually pretty spread out

Spot Rating

Poor

PoorPerfect

3

Shoulder Burn

Light

LightExhausting

2 to 6 depending on size

Water Quality

Fair

CleanDirty

6

Ideal Surf Conditions

Swell Direction

anything peaky (crossed up combo swells)

Wind

E, SE

Surf Height

2 to 10 feet

Tide

low to medium