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GhostFingers · Los Angeles County · South Bay LA

Torrance Beach

Sand beachbreak at the south end of the South Bay strand, below the Palos Verdes bluff at Torrance Beach. Bars spread along the sand between the bluff and the strand.

South Bay LA Famous + beginner-friendly

Spot intel

Parking

County lot at Torrance Beach off Paseo de la Playa with a posted fee.

Crowd

Moderate and spread. Mixed ability, lighter than the piers to the north.

Beginner-friendly?

Depends.

Sand bottom with a forgiving inside on a small day, but rip currents run along the strand and the shorebreak steepens on size.

Famous for

The southern end of the South Bay beach strand, where the sand meets the Palos Verdes bluff.

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 east through northeast. Mid tide window.

When beginners can paddle out

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

Where it breaks

Coordinates
33.8130, -118.3930
Shore faces
WSW
Region
South Bay LA, California

Common questions

What swell direction is best for Torrance Beach?
Torrance Beach works best on a SSW to W swell. It also picks up W to NW swell.
How big does Torrance Beach need to be?
Torrance Beach is best in the 2-6ft range on a 10-16s period.
What are the best conditions at Torrance Beach?
Light or offshore wind under about 6 knots, with the tide around 1-4ft.
Where is Torrance Beach?
Torrance Beach is a bluff-end sand in South Bay LA, California. The beach faces WSW.
Does GhostFingers forecast Torrance Beach?
Yes. GhostFingers grades Torrance Beach 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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