HMB Jetty
Sand-bottom beachbreak inside the Pillar Point breakwater in Half Moon Bay. The jetty shadow softens the open-coast swell. Peaks shift with the sandbars.
When it’s on
HMB Jetty works best on a W to NW swell. It also picks up SSE to W swell. Light offshore wind from the east. Mid-tide window. The breakwater means the wave is on more days than the open-coast spots up and down the same county.
When beginners can paddle out
Knee-high to chest-high on a mid tide with light wind. Hooded full suits are standard.
Spot intel
- Parking
- Paid lot at Pillar Point Harbor, walk-in to the beach. Free street parking along West Point Avenue when the lot’s full.
- Crowd
- Moderate on weekends, thinner midweek. Mix of surf-school and intermediate locals. The inside-the-breakwater geometry keeps the wave manageable, which keeps the lineup spread.
- Beginner-friendly?
Depends.
Sand bottom and a breakwater that takes the edge off the open-coast swell. On small days the wave opens up for confident beginners and intermediates. On larger swells the same wave gets steeper and the rip pulls toward the jetty. Not a novice wave then.
- Lineup etiquette
- Beachbreak priority is per-wave, not by lineup position. Standard rule: a wave already taken from the peak isn’t open to paddle into.
Where it breaks
- Coordinates
- 37.4990, -122.4710
- Shore faces
- W
- Region
- Half Moon Bay, California
Common questions
- What swell direction is best for HMB Jetty?
- HMB Jetty works best on a W to NW swell. It also picks up SSE to W swell.
- How big does HMB Jetty need to be?
- HMB Jetty is best in the 2-6ft range on a 11-18s period.
- What are the best conditions at HMB Jetty?
- Light or offshore wind under about 8 knots, with the tide around 1-4ft.
- Where is HMB Jetty?
- HMB Jetty is a forgiving jetty in Half Moon Bay, California. The beach faces W.
- Does GhostFingers forecast HMB Jetty?
- Yes. GhostFingers grades HMB Jetty with a six-tier verdict from swell height, period, direction, tide, and wind. iPhone, winter 2026.
Nearby spots
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