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.
When it’s on
Lovers Point works best on a W to NNW swell. 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.
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.
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, winter 2026.
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