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GhostFingers · Los Angeles County · South Bay LA

Bruce's Beach

West-facing beachbreak in Manhattan Beach, between 26th and 27th Streets. Sand bottom. Softer wave shape than El Porto to the north.

South Bay LA Beginner-friendly

Spot intel

Parking

Metered street parking on Highland Avenue and the numbered streets. No dedicated lot. Spots open up faster than at El Porto.

Crowd

Moderate. Surf-school clusters set up here on calmer days; experienced surfers tend to walk north to El Porto when it's working.

Beginner-friendly?

Yes.

Sand bottom, forgiving wave shape on small to mid days, and an established surf-school presence. The catches are summer crowds and the south-end rip current, not the wave.

Lineup etiquette

Beachbreak priority is per-wave. A wave already taken from the peak isn't open to paddle into.

When it's on

West-southwest through west-northwest swell with light offshore from the east.

When beginners can paddle out

Knee-high to shoulder-high on a mid-tide with light morning wind. First light runs cleanest before the South Bay sea breeze comes up.

Where it breaks

Coordinates
33.8860, -118.4120
Shore faces
W
Region
South Bay LA, California

Common questions

What swell direction is best for Bruce's Beach?
Bruce's Beach works best on a SSW to WNW swell.
How big does Bruce's Beach need to be?
Bruce's Beach is best in the 2-5ft range on a 11-16s period.
What are the best conditions at Bruce's Beach?
Light or offshore wind under about 6 knots, with the tide around 1-4ft.
Where is Bruce's Beach?
Bruce's Beach is a longboard-friendly beach in South Bay LA, California. The beach faces W.
Does GhostFingers forecast Bruce's Beach?
Yes. GhostFingers grades Bruce's Beach with a six-tier verdict from swell height, period, direction, tide, and wind. iPhone, summer 2026.

New to reading a forecast? Start here.

Launching summer 2026.

Six-tier verdicts for every California break, calibrated to swell, period, direction, tide, and wind.

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