Redondo Beach
South Los Angeles Surf Spots
Surf Guide
One of L.A.'s few big-wave spots, Redondo Breakwater is a fast, walled left that breaks across the front of the King Harbor breakwall. On N and W swells bigger than six-feet, this spot can hold up to 20-feet. The wave refracts and is amplified off of the jetty, spinning out long, fast lefts that end in a sucker-punch shorebreak. An Army Corps of Engineers project in 1997 moved some new rocks out onto the bend in the wall, and that, combined with the ongoing loss of sand, is costing the spot some of its former glory. According to regulars, the peak has moved closer to the beach, and the wave doesn't wedge off the jetty as well.
Ability Level
Advanced
Advanced
Local Vibe
Doable
Intolerant, until it's more than triple overhead.
Crowd Factor
Moderate
Brutal, but thins with size.
Spot Rating
Fun
Lots of closeouts but stand up barrels when you find the right one.
Shoulder Burn
Medium
Paddle out at the rip next to the breakwater.
Water Quality
Fair
One of the dirtiest locations in the South Bay due to being directly in front of a storm drain. Especially bad after a rain.
Ideal Surf Conditions
Swell Direction
WSW, W, WNW (long periods best from 13sec+)
Wind
E, SE
Surf Height
head-high to triple overhead
Tide
Lower the better