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GhostFingers · Los Angeles County · South Bay LA

Hermosa Beach Pier

West-facing beachbreak around the Hermosa Beach Pier in the South Bay. Sand bottom, slow and gentle wave shape, with the occasional steeper set on a bigger swell.

South Bay LA Famous + beginner-friendly

Spot intel

Parking

Metered street parking on the numbered streets and Hermosa Avenue, plus paid lots near the pier. Fills early on weekends.

Crowd

Moderate to thick. Multiple peaks either side of the pier spread the crowd out.

Beginner-friendly?

Yes.

Slow, gentle, sand-bottom wave shape that forgives mistakes. The pier pilings and the weekend crowd are the things to manage, not the wave.

Lineup etiquette

Standard beachbreak priority: closest to the peak has the wave. Stay well clear of the pier pilings.

When it's on

West through northwest swell on the winter side, south through southwest swell on the summer side, with light morning wind on a low to mid tide. The bank wants a bit of size to stand up past mush.

When beginners can paddle out

Knee-high to chest-high on a light-wind morning, away from the pier. Water runs cooler than you would expect for the South Bay, so a full suit is the call.

Where it breaks

Coordinates
33.8622, -118.4082
Shore faces
W
Region
South Bay LA, California

Common questions

What swell direction is best for Hermosa Beach Pier?
Hermosa Beach Pier works best on a SSW to WNW swell.
How big does Hermosa Beach Pier need to be?
Hermosa Beach Pier is best in the 2-5ft range on a 11-16s period.
What are the best conditions at Hermosa Beach Pier?
Light or offshore wind under about 6 knots, with the tide around 1-4ft.
Where is Hermosa Beach Pier?
Hermosa Beach Pier is a south bay pier in South Bay LA, California. The beach faces W.
Does GhostFingers forecast Hermosa Beach Pier?
Yes. GhostFingers grades Hermosa Beach Pier 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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