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.
When it’s on
Bruce’s Beach works best on a SSW to WNW swell. 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.
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.
Where it breaks
- Coordinates
- 33.8945, -118.4186
- 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, winter 2026.
Nearby spots
- El Porto 45th St
- Manhattan Beach Pier
- Hermosa Beach Pier
- Redondo Breakwall
- Torrance Beach
- Haggerty’s
New to reading a forecast? Start here.
Get notified when GhostFingers ships.