Tourmaline
West-facing sand-and-cobble break at the north end of Pacific Beach in San Diego. Mellow, multi-peak break that holds small NW and SW swell. The county’s primary longboard and surf-school venue.
When it’s on
Tourmaline works best on a SW to WNW swell. It also picks up SSE to SW swell. Light offshore wind from the east. Mid-tide window.
When beginners can paddle out
Knee-high to shoulder-high on any tide with light wind. First light runs glassiest and least crowded.
Spot intel
- Parking
- Free paved lot at the end of Tourmaline Street, about 175 spaces. Free street parking along La Jolla Boulevard and the adjacent residential blocks. Lot fills by mid-morning on weekends.
- Crowd
- Thick on weekends and after work. Longboard and surf-school clusters spread across the peaks. The 5 and the 8 funnel weekenders straight to this lot.
- Beginner-friendly?
Yes.
Soft, slow break with multiple peaks, forgiving wave shape, and an established surf-school presence. The catches are crowd density on weekends and along-shore current, 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
- 32.8052, -117.2632
- Shore faces
- W
- Region
- PB / Mission Beach, California
Common questions
- What swell direction is best for Tourmaline?
- Tourmaline works best on a SW to WNW swell. It also picks up SSE to SW swell.
- How big does Tourmaline need to be?
- Tourmaline is best in the 1.5-6ft range on a 12-18s period.
- What are the best conditions at Tourmaline?
- Light or offshore wind under about 6 knots, with the tide around 1-3.5ft.
- Where is Tourmaline?
- Tourmaline is a longboard point in PB / Mission Beach, California. The beach faces W.
- Does GhostFingers forecast Tourmaline?
- Yes. GhostFingers grades Tourmaline with a six-tier verdict from swell height, period, direction, tide, and wind. iPhone, winter 2026.
Nearby spots
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