Manhattan Beach
South Los Angeles Surf Spots
Surf Guide
The best bets for good surf are mixed, combo swells and hope for defined sandbars. All spots south of Manhattan are increasingly shadowed from south/summer swell and rely primarily on southwest, west, and northwest swells. Marine Street is usually the best south swell spot in Manhattan. The beachbreaks are usually walled with some better-shaped waves near the Manhattan Pier. br> LOCAL RESOURCES: South Bay Boardriders Club | Meet Up: South Bay Surf | South Bay Surfrider Foundation | Heal the Bay | Stoked Mentoring
Ability Level
All Abilities
Beginner to intermediate.
Local Vibe
Welcoming
Minor.
Crowd Factor
Moderate
Usually pretty spread out.
Spot Rating
Poor
Typically a hopeless closeout but can be really good when the rest of SoCal struggles.
Shoulder Burn
Light
Not bad when it is small, plenty of work to be had when it is pumping.
Water Quality
Fair
It's the middle of LA.
Ideal Surf Conditions
Swell Direction
SW, WSW, W, WNW combo swells.
Wind
E, SE.
Surf Height
Chest-high to double overhead.
Tide
Low to medium.