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GhostFingers · Los Angeles County · South Bay LA

Manhattan Beach Pier

West-facing beachbreak around the Manhattan Beach Pier in the South Bay. Sand bottom with peaks that shift either side of the pilings. A small-swell spot that closes out as the swell builds.

South Bay LA Famous + beginner-friendly

Spot intel

Parking

Metered street parking on the numbered streets and a paid lot near the pier. Both fill early on any swell or sunny weekend.

Crowd

Thick, especially on weekends. Peaks spread along the beach either side of the pier, so density depends on which sandbar is working.

Beginner-friendly?

Depends.

A forgiving sand-bottom beachbreak on small days. It closes out and gets crowded as the swell fills in, and the pier pilings are a hazard to stay clear of.

Famous for

Manhattan Beach Pier. The center of the South Bay competitive scene, host of the Manhattan Beach Open volleyball and surf events and the home pier of the Hermosa-Manhattan local surf community.

Lineup etiquette

Standard beachbreak priority: the surfer closest to the peak has the wave. Give the pier pilings a wide berth.

When it's on

West through northwest swell on the winter side, south through southwest swell on the summer side, in the chest-high range with light morning wind. Falls apart once the swell jumps overhead.

When beginners can paddle out

Knee-high to waist-high on a light-wind morning, well away from the pier. First light is glassiest and least crowded.

Where it breaks

Coordinates
33.8847, -118.4109
Shore faces
W
Region
South Bay LA, California

Common questions

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