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GhostFingers · Orange County · South OC

Strands

Sand beachbreak at Strands Beach in Dana Point, below the Headlands bluff and just north of Dana Point Harbour. Bars shape peaks along an open stretch of sand.

South OC Famous + beginner-friendly

Spot intel

Parking

City lot at the top of the bluff off Selva Road with a posted fee. A posted switchback path and a funicular lead down to the sand.

Crowd

Moderate. The bluff descent thins the lineup relative to Salt Creek.

Beginner-friendly?

Depends.

Sand bottom with a workable inside, but the beach carries rip currents on size and the return is a steep bluff climb.

Famous for

The beach below the Dana Point Headlands, reached by a public bluff path and funicular from Selva Road.

Lineup etiquette

Beachbreak priority is per-wave from the peak, not by lineup position.

When it’s on

South through west swell with light offshore wind from the north through northeast. Mid tide window.

When beginners can paddle out

Small clean south swell under about waist high, light wind, mid tide, and surfed near a staffed lifeguard tower.

Where it breaks

Coordinates
33.4640, -117.7060
Shore faces
SW
Region
South OC, California

Common questions

What swell direction is best for Strands?
Strands works best on a S to W swell. It also picks up WSW to WNW swell.
How big does Strands need to be?
Strands is best in the 2-6ft range on a 11-18s period.
What are the best conditions at Strands?
Light or offshore wind under about 10 knots, with the tide around 1-4ft.
Where is Strands?
Strands is a bluff-path beach break in South OC, California. The beach faces SW.
Does GhostFingers forecast Strands?
Yes. GhostFingers grades Strands with a six-tier verdict from swell height, period, direction, tide, and wind. iPhone, winter 2026.

New to reading a forecast? Start here.

Launching winter 2026.

Six-tier verdicts for every California break, calibrated to swell, period, direction, tide, and wind.

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