Leo Carrillo
Cobblestone and reef setup at the north end of Malibu, inside Leo Carrillo State Park. Multiple takeoff zones along the headland. Faces south-southwest.
When it’s on
Leo Carrillo works best on a S to W swell. Light offshore from the north or side-offshore from the northwest. Mid-tide window.
When beginners can paddle out
Knee-high to shoulder-high on a mid-tide with light morning wind. The inside section runs softer than the outer reef.
Spot intel
- Parking
- Paid day-use lot inside Leo Carrillo State Park off PCH. About $12 day-use. Walk-in beach access from the lot.
- Crowd
- Moderate. Spreads along the headland on any size. Less stacked than the Malibu pier zone.
- Beginner-friendly?
Depends.
On small days the inside cobblestone opens up for confident intermediates. On size, the outer reef is rock-bottomed and contested. Water runs cooler than the South Bay year-round.
- Famous for
- Leo Carrillo State Park. A series of reef and cobble breaks at the north end of LA County’s coastline, long associated with the early surf film era and the Malibu-to-Ventura coastal corridor.
- Lineup etiquette
- Priority on a point goes to the deepest rider. Paddling inside an active takeoff is the standard call-out.
Where it breaks
- Coordinates
- 34.0427, -118.9372
- Shore faces
- SW
- Region
- North LA County, California
Common questions
- What swell direction is best for Leo Carrillo?
- Leo Carrillo works best on a S to W swell.
- How big does Leo Carrillo need to be?
- Leo Carrillo is best in the 2-5ft range on a 11-18s period.
- What are the best conditions at Leo Carrillo?
- Light or offshore wind under about 8 knots, with the tide around 2-4ft.
- Where is Leo Carrillo?
- Leo Carrillo is a reef wedge in North LA County, California. The beach faces SW.
- Does GhostFingers forecast Leo Carrillo?
- Yes. GhostFingers grades Leo Carrillo with a six-tier verdict from swell height, period, direction, tide, and wind. iPhone, winter 2026.
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