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GhostFingers · Central Coast · Monterey

Lovers Point

Sheltered cove on the north side of Monterey, facing northeast inside the Monterey Bay shadow. A slow, small, infrequent wave that needs a deep northwest swell to wrap in.

Monterey Beginner-friendly

Spot intel

Parking

Free and metered street parking along Ocean View Boulevard. Small public lot at the point. Walk-in access to the sand and the cove.

Crowd

Light to moderate. The wave only breaks on the right swell, which keeps the lineup thin. Water runs low-50s°F year-round. Hooded full suits are standard.

Beginner-friendly?

Yes.

Sheltered cove with a slow wave shape and a forgiving sand-and-cobble bottom on the days it works. The catches are cold water, the kelp, and how rarely the swell window lines up, not the wave.

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

Deep west through northwest groundswell with enough size and period to wrap the Monterey headland, with light offshore from the south through southeast. Mid-tide window.

When beginners can paddle out

Knee-high to chest-high on a mid or higher tide with light wind, on the rare days the wrap reaches the cove.

Where it breaks

Coordinates
36.6261, -121.9155
Shore faces
NNE
Region
Monterey, California

Common questions

What swell direction is best for Lovers Point?
Lovers Point works best on a W to NNW swell.
How big does Lovers Point need to be?
Lovers Point is best in the 1.5-6ft range on a 12-20s period.
What are the best conditions at Lovers Point?
Light or offshore wind under about 8 knots, with the tide around 2-4.5ft.
Where is Lovers Point?
Lovers Point is a sheltered point in Monterey, California. The beach faces NNE.
Does GhostFingers forecast Lovers Point?
Yes. GhostFingers grades Lovers Point 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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