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The best beaches for surfing in Los Angeles

A Guide to The Best Surfing Spots in L.A.

#1 Surfing El Porto Manhattan Beach, Los Angeles County, California.

El Porto, Manhattan Beach, California
El Porto, Manhattan Beach, LA County, California
El Porto, near Manhattan Beach in Southern California

If there are waves in the South Bay, chances are they are going to be the biggest swells at El Porto thanks to an offshore underwater canyon and to being located near the middle of the bay. A prime example of the warm, white-sand beaches of Southern California, El Porto is located in the city of Manhattan Beach between Dockweiler State Beach and Manhattan Beach. Rideable 3-12 ft swells, and short boarder friendly, sandy bottom at El Porto in Manhattan Beach. Scattered beach break peaks are great for shortboards to longboards. Swells are larger and more consistent in the Winter months, consistently 1-2 ft bigger than any other spot in town. The best swell directions are from the NW to WNW.

Manhattan Beach has played a memorable role in several cinematic classics, connecting its stunning coastal beauty with the world of entertainment. In the supernatural thriller "1408" (2007), John Cusack's character finds solace in the El Porto waves, reflecting the town's quintessential surf culture. The 1983 film "Against All Odds," directed by Taylor Hackford, weaves a tale of love and suspense along The Strand and the beach, capturing the essence of Manhattan Beach's scenic allure. The popular TV show "Hannah Montana" leveraged the idyllic backdrop of Mira Costa High School and prominently featured the Manhattan Beach Pier in its iconic intro. Additionally, the action-packed "Point Break" (1991) showcased the town's role in surf culture, with Keanu Reeves buying his surfboard from a shop perched on the Manhattan Beach Pier. These films and shows have contributed to Manhattan Beach's cinematic legacy, embracing its beachfront charm as a character in its own right on the big screen.


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#2 Surfing Zuma Beach Malibu, Los Angeles, California.

Zuma Beach
Zuma Beach, Malibu, California
Zuma Beach in Southern California

Known for its crystal clear and clean water, Zuma Beach is a three-mile stretch with a sandy bottom beach break as well as a close-to-shore break that offers a large number of sandbar peaks for all levels and boards. Famous for its even breaks across the entire expanse of beach, Zuma is the perfect venue for many surf contests. Because of the length of the beach, crowds are rarely a problem at Zuma. For the best surf experience, come early on a medium tide and expect clear waters and great waves. A nice sized pay-parking lot borders the entire three-mile-plus stretch of beach.

This classic landscape has been in numerous famous movies and TV shows. Planet of the Apes , Indecent Proposal, I Dream of Jeannie, and Baywatch are just a few. List of movies filmed at Zuma Beach.


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#3 Surfing Malibu Surfrider Beach Malibu, Los Angeles, California.

Pacific Ocean Park, Santa Monica, California
Ocean Park, Santa Monica, California
Ocean Park, Santa Monica Beach in Southern California

Surfrider Beach provides a unique opportunity to experience three different breaks along a single stretch of sand. Surfrider Beach has a rocky bottom, slow-breaking waves that break further out, and the most perfect right-hander in all of California. This idyllic spot is a picture-perfect representation of Southern California beaches.

Popularized by surfing movies in the 1950s and 1960s, “Surfrider” Beach is the place to go for the ideal Southern California surfing experience and home to Gidget, Beach Blanket Bingo, and surfing movies of the 1960s like "Beach Party". See list of movies filmed in Malibu, California.


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#4 Surfing Breakwater Venice Beach Los Angeles County, California.

El Porto, Manhattan Beach, California
El Porto, Manhattan Beach, LA County, California
El Porto, near Manhattan Beach in Southern California

If you are searching for the best waves, Venice Breakwater is the best surf spot in Venice Beach, north of Venice Pier. The Venice Breakwater and the Venice Fishing Pier provide enough structural displacement to fundamentally change the types of waves available. The Breakwater is created by a collection of rocks that causes the sand to accumulate on the ocean floor, forming beautiful rights just waiting to be surfed.

Venice Beach, a storied cinematic backdrop since the silent film era, continues to play a starring role in Hollywood. Home to artists, celebrities and plenty of eccentrics, Venice boasts a long list of credits, dating back to the 1920s when Charlie Chaplin filmed the 1928 movie “The Circus” on the old Venice Beach pier. ‘Gigi’: This 1958 musical was set and mostly filmed in France, but bad weather on the beaches of Trouville, France meant the seaside scenes were ultimately filmed at Venice Beach. ‘Million Dollar Baby’: Director Clint Eastwood’s 2004 movie about an aspiring boxer played by Hilary Swank establishes her as a waitress first at On The Waterfront Cafe (205 Ocean Front Walk, Venice Beach), now the Waterfront Venice. List of movies filmed at Venice Beach.


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#5 Surfing Breakwater Redondo Beach, Los Angeles County, California.

Breakwater, Redondo Beach California
Breakwater, Redondo Beach, LA County, California
Breakwater, Redondo Beach in Southern California

Redondo Beach Breakwater is a breakwater and jetty spot for advanced surfers with big-wave boards. Although the breakwater itself is in Redondo, the waves are considered to be in Hermosa. Surfing here is best with offshore eastbound winds. This beach has all left-bound beach breaks and an excellent, powerful big-wave left wedge.

Notable movies and TV shows that have been filmed in Redondo Beach include Pirates of The Caribbean: At World’s End, Transformers, Cannonball Run, Point Break, Collateral, Gone in 60 Seconds, and The O.C. List of movies filmed near Redondo Beach.


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#6 Surfing Santa Monica Ocean Park, Los Angeles County, California.

Ocean Park, Santa Monica California
Ocean Park, Santa Monica, LA County, California
Ocean Park, Santa Monica in Southern California

Santa Monica Ocean Park is an exposed beach break in Los Angeles County, known for its reliable surf all year round. With offshore winds from the northeast and consistent groundswells from the southwest, surfers can enjoy both left and right hand waves. The best time to catch clean, rideable waves is during the winter months, especially in December, when clean surfable waves are found often.

Notable movies and TV shows that have been filmed at the Santa Monica Pier nearby include Forrest Gump, Iron Man, The Sting, Funny Girl, and The Glenn Miller Story. List of movies filmed near Santa Monica Beach Pier.


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#7 Surfing Sunset Point Beach Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles, California.

Ocean Park, Santa Monica California
Ocean Park, Santa Monica, LA County, California
Ocean Park, Santa Monica in Southern California

Known for its picturesque setting and beginner-friendly waves, Sunset Point Beach offers a unique surfing experience for surfers of all skill levels. Whether you're a novice looking to learn or an experienced surfer seeking a laid-back ride, Sunset Point Beach welcomes you with its gentle and smooth waves, scenic beauty, and the spirit of adventure.

Notable movies and TV shows that have been filmed at Pacific Palisades include Baywatch, Point Break, and Against All Odds. List of movies filmed near Pacific Palisades.


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