Hollywood Beach
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Beginner
- Skill Level
- Swell, Ocean
- Spot Type
- 10–20 kts
- Wind Range
This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.
About
Hollywood Beach is an exposed, wide sandy beach-break with reasonably consistent surf, where waves can break both left and right. Multiple sources describe it as capable of producing usable conditions, though wave quality is somewhat mixed across reports—some characterize it as poor while others describe it as good and reliable for beach-break style surfing. For surfing, the beach is generally best when swell is strongest from the west-to-southwest quadrant (with southwest groundswells mentioned) and when winds are offshore from the east-northeast. East and northeast winds are also described as grooming the waves, while other wind directions can make conditions choppier. Safety is a major focus: rip currents and undertow are specifically called out, along with sharks and shore-break hazards. Localism is also noted as a potential problem, so arriving early and staying respectful in designated surf zones is important. Lifeguard coverage is described inconsistently (year-round in one source and seasonal in another), and rescue availability is reported as limited in at least one source. Timing-wise, the best month for surfing is reported as December, aligning with winter offering the most consistent swells and offshore-morning wind behavior. Advice from sources also emphasizes checking tide for shape—mid-tide is often cited as best—while larger swells can transition toward closeouts.
- Exposed beach break with reasonably consistent surf
- Multiple peaks on the sand
- Offshore/ideal wind described as east-northeast
- Wide sandy beach with ample setup space
- Reasonably consistent beach-break surf
- Wide sandy beach with ample space to set up
- East-northeast winds are described as ideal/offshore for surfing
- Beginner-friendly in calmer, smaller conditions
- Exposed conditions
- Rip currents and undertow risk
- Localism reported as a concern
- Water conditions and surf quality can be inconsistent (some sources rate quality as poor)
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- ENE
- Offshore directions
- ENE, E
- Wind Range
- 10–20 kts
- Wind Type
- Mixed — East to northeast winds are described as ideal for surfing; another source also notes afternoon sea-breeze conditions.
- Reliability
- Low for wind sports; fairly consistent for surf-cleaning offshore winds in the morning.
- Gust Factor
- Light gusts
- Best Months
- December
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 10–14 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell, Ocean
- Beach
- Sand
- Beach Size
- Big
- Waves
- Small — One source describes small surf; another describes medium surf.
- Launch
- Medium — Wide sandy beach with ample space to layout gear (primarily used for surfing).
- Launch Difficulty
- Easy
Through the year
Summer months are busier; surf crowds are highest on weekends with good swells.
December–March
By sport
What to expect for each.
Used occasionally by locals when winds are strong enough; conditions may be choppy/onshore and many kiters head further along the coast.
- Kite Sizes
- 10–14 m²
Possible on light wind days with a large foil, though the shore break can be challenging for launching.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes
- Min Depth
- 1.5 meters
- Wing Sizes
- 5–7 m²
Exposed beach break with reasonably consistent surf. Waves break both left and right, with groundswells commonly described as coming from the southwest and an optimal swell direction described as west/northwest/southwest.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- W, WNW, SW
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Mid-tide is often cited as providing the best shape; low tide can be too fast and high tide can be mushy.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Described as an exposed beach break.
- Wind Effect
- East and northeast winds groom the waves; east-northeast is described as offshore/ideal for surfing, while other wind directions can make conditions choppy.
- Bigger Swell
- Can close out when swell exceeds 3 meters.
- Wave Quality
- Poor — One source rates wave quality as poor; another rates it as good.
- Wave Power
- Soft — Another source rates wave power as moderate.
- Wave Shape
- Mixed — One source describes mixed shape; another describes peeling waves.
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Medium — Another source reports medium ride lengths; one source also notes typical 50–100 m rides.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–100 m
- Ride Length Details
- Standard beach break rides; occasionally offering short barrels on lower tides.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Hollywood Beach in the full forecast view.
Hollywood Beach wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–9 ktsGusts 17 kts
- Direction
- W268°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 249 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.8–1.3 m10s period
- Temperature
- 13–24 °C
Over the next 7 days, Hollywood Beach is forecast for daytime winds of 2–9 kts, peaking around 9 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 17 kts. The prevailing direction is W. Waves run 0.8–1.3 m with a period of about 10s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
Other spots in the area
What to know before you launch
Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.
Hazards
- Sharks
- Rip currents
- Undertow
- Localism
- Jellyfish
- Stingrays
- Nearshore artificial reef
- Shore break
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Year-round — Lifeguards are reported as year-round in one source, and seasonal in another.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited
- Emergency Info
- Nearest emergency services are located in Oxnard. For immediate emergencies call 911.
- Localism / Vibe
- Moderate — Localism is noted as a hazard; one source characterizes it as mild.
Rules of the spot
Surfing permitted in designated zones. Carry flotation and a signaling device. Stay clear of the harbor entrance channel. Standard surfing etiquette applies.
- Surfing allowed from Douglas Street north to the Dania Beach/Hollywood border and from Madison Street south to Eucalyptus Terrace.
- Paddlecraft allowed entire beach before 10am and after 5pm.
- No surfing in the harbor entrance.
- Beware of localism and sharks.
- Check the tide; mid-tide often provides the best shape as low tide can be too fast and high tide can be mushy.
- Waves are sometimes too small for good surf but may work for beginners.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Hollywood Beach
- Nearest Town
- Hollywood Beach
- Nearest Airport
- Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) ~65 miles south; Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA) ~45 miles north.
- Parking
- Public parking available at the end of most streets and in lots near the channel harbor entrance.
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Vacation rentals and hotels in Oxnard and near the harbor.
- Food & Drink
- Several restaurants and cafes located adjacent to the harbor and within walking distance of the beach.
- Equipment Rental:
- Surf shops in nearby Oxnard and Ventura offer rentals.
- Gear Repair
- Repair shops available in the city of Ventura, roughly 10 minutes north.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Hollywood Beach?
The best overall months at Hollywood Beach are December, January, February, November. The best wind months are December.
Which wind directions work at Hollywood Beach?
Hollywood Beach works with ENE winds. Offshore directions are ENE, E.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Hollywood Beach?
Recommended equipment sizes at Hollywood Beach: Kitesurfing: 10–14 m² · Wingfoiling: 5–7 m². The typical wind range is 10–20 kts.
What skill level is Hollywood Beach suitable for?
Hollywood Beach suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Intermediate · Surfing: Beginner.