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GhostFingers · Los Angeles County · South Bay LA

El Porto 45th St

West-facing beachbreak at the north end of Manhattan Beach, between the dunes and the El Segundo refinery. Sand bottom with peaks that shift session to session.

South Bay LA Famous + beginner-friendly

Spot intel

Parking

Metered street parking along Highland Avenue and the numbered streets. Paid lot at 45th Street, about 60 spaces. Lot fills early on any swell.

Crowd

Thick. The lineup spreads across the dozen blocks of beach, so density depends on which peak is breaking. Shortboard-leaning.

Beginner-friendly?

Depends.

Sand bottom and multiple peaks make small days approachable. On any size, the peaks suck up fast and the priority hierarchy at the working banks is contested.

Famous for

El Porto in Manhattan Beach. The most consistent stretch of the South Bay beach break: a year-round wave magnet pinned between the Chevron refinery and the LA basin.

Lineup etiquette

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

When it's on

Combo west-southwest through west-northwest swell with light offshore from the east. Mid-tide window.

When beginners can paddle out

Waist-high or smaller on a mid-tide with light morning wind. The outer peaks settle on smaller days.

Where it breaks

Coordinates
33.9010, -118.4250
Shore faces
W
Region
South Bay LA, California

Common questions

What swell direction is best for El Porto 45th St?
El Porto 45th St works best on a SSW to WNW swell.
How big does El Porto 45th St need to be?
El Porto 45th St is best in the 5-9ft range on a 11-16s period.
What are the best conditions at El Porto 45th St?
Light or offshore wind under about 8 knots, with the tide around 1-4ft.
Where is El Porto 45th St?
El Porto 45th St is a performance beach break in South Bay LA, California. The beach faces W.
Does GhostFingers forecast El Porto 45th St?
Yes. GhostFingers grades El Porto 45th St 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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