Beach · California · Beginner → Intermediate
Forecast for Sunday 30 August
Intermediate : Today's best is behind us. — Best window: 5h–7h
Today's score by level (at the day's best, out of 100)
Santa Monica Pier is a beach break in Los Angeles County. California light, urban energy and a lineup to respect. Watch the currents.
Look for clean swell windows, especially with west-southwest swell and northeast wind.
Ideal for starting out or longboarding. Mellow waves, little current, surf school usually nearby.
Easy beach access, parking usually nearby. Ask locally about seasonal currents.
Wear an appropriate wetsuit. Scout the currents before you paddle out. Respect the locals and right-of-way. Check weather and tides.
Santa Monica Pier usually works best around mid-tide. The tide shapes the sandbanks and the depth over the reef, so check the day's tide times before your session.
Santa Monica Pier is rather accessible to beginners when the waves stay small and the wind is light. Still, check currents, tide and local guidelines before entering.
The ideal wind at Santa Monica Pier comes broadly from North-East: it's offshore, which helps shape and hold the waves. A strong onshore wind generally degrades conditions.
Around Santa Monica Pier, you can also check conditions at Anse-Bertrand, Port-Louis School, Le Souffleur. Compare the scores, wind and swell direction before choosing where to surf.