Hermosa Beach
South Los Angeles Surf Spots
Surf Guide
Five miles of classic California beaches and communities, when it comes to getting Hermosa Beach good, the best bet is medium tides and dual swells. All spots south of Manhattan are increasingly shadowed from south/summer swell. When the surf does make it into Hermosa, the quality of waves is largely dependent on what the sand is doing.
Ability Level
Beginner - Intermediate
Beginner to intermediate
Local Vibe
Welcoming
Mellow.
Crowd Factor
Moderate
Usually pretty spread out.
Spot Rating
Poor
Lots of closeouts. Needs good sandbars and a crossed up combo swell to really work well.
Shoulder Burn
Light
Not bad when it is small, plenty of work to be had when it is pumping.
Water Quality
Fair
It's right outside of the city and can get particularly bad after a rainfall.
Ideal Surf Conditions
Swell Direction
SW, WSW, W, WNW combo swells
Wind
E, SE
Surf Height
chest-high to double overhead
Tide
Medium coming up