New Jetty
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Swell
- Spot Type
- Quiet
- Crowd Level
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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
New Jetty is an exposed beach/jetty surfing break near El Segundo that’s described as having fairly consistent surf through the year. Multiple spot details point to low tide as the key tide for getting the better wave shape and preventing the waves from becoming too fat. The break is influenced by the jetty/rock structures, with conditions varying based on sandbar configuration. It’s generally framed as producing rideable waves year-round, with notes that rights off the north side are particularly characteristic. Wave quality is described in a range from good to average, and the wave can close out or become sectiony when swells get larger (with one guidance noting issues when swells exceed roughly 2.5 meters). Wind patterns in the area are typically driven by predictable afternoon sea breezes, with offshore winds from the East/Northeast able to clean up the face at times. For planning, the commonly cited wind/thermal window is an afternoon period (around 1:00 PM to sunset), aligning with more favorable conditions later in the day. Safety is a priority: the jetty structure and nearby rocks create hazards, and rip currents can form alongside the jetty. Water quality may spike after heavy rainfall due to runoff, so it’s recommended to check water quality information after storms. Access and hazards are also tied to the industrial/jetty-adjacent shoreline, where some land areas may be restricted.
- Fairly consistent surf year-round
- Best conditions typically at low tide
- Afternoon sea-breeze strengthening (predictable wind window)
- Offshore winds from the East/Northeast can clean up the face
- Jetty-influenced waves with potential for closing out on larger swell
- Consistent beach/jetty break described as working year-round.
- Low tide is generally the best window.
- Offshore winds from the East/Northeast can improve face conditions at times.
- Good accessibility from nearby beach parking.
- Exposed setup to open-ocean swell can be unforgiving.
- Water quality can degrade after heavy rains due to runoff, particularly near storm-drain/creek outlets.
- Rip currents can form alongside the jetty.
- Near industrial/jetty structures there can be hazards and some restricted access areas.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- W, WNW, SW
- Offshore directions
- E, NE
- Wind Range
- 8–15 kts
- Wind Type
- Sea breeze — Sea-breeze pattern with predictable afternoon strengthening; typical winds are westerly sea breezes/thermal-driven winds.
- Reliability
- moderate
- Gust Factor
- Light gusts
- Best Months
- January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
- Shadow Zones
- The area immediately behind the jetty can be sheltered from certain wind angles.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell
- Beach
- Sand
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Small — Also described as medium; commonly referenced as small overall, with workable waves year-round.
- Launch
- Medium — Sandy beach launch adjacent to the rock jetty.
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate
Through the year
Can be crowded on weekends and during good swells; midweek mornings are generally quieter.
December through March
By sport
What to expect for each.
Exposed beach/jetty break with fairly consistent surf; described as working best at low tide and offering rideable waves year-round.
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- W, WNW
- Swell Height
- 1–2 m
- Optimal Tide
- Low — Low tide is consistently the best tide.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Jetty/rock structures create semi-sheltered pockets in some wind angles, but the general setup is exposed to open-ocean swell.
- Wind Effect
- Onshore-favorable overall; offshore winds from the East and Northeast can clean up the face.
- Bigger Swell
- When swells exceed about 2.5 meters, it can close out or become sectiony.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Also described as average depending on conditions and sandbar configuration.
- Wave Power
- Soft — Spot-level guidance ranges from soft to moderate; quality is generally better at the low tide window.
- Wave Shape
- Mixed — Also described as peeling; can vary with sandbar configuration.
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Medium
- Ride Length Details
- A decent wall is common, but waves can close out depending on the sandbar configuration.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for New Jetty in the full forecast view.
New Jetty wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 1–8 ktsGusts 15 kts
- Direction
- SW233°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 248 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.6–1.2 m10s period
- Temperature
- 13–25 °C
Over the next 7 days, New Jetty is forecast for daytime winds of 1–8 kts, peaking around 8 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 15 kts. The prevailing direction is SW. Waves run 0.6–1.2 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
- jetty-structure
- rocks
- rip currents often form alongside the jetty
- pollution
- industrial structures
- potential debris near the refinery area
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Lifeguards are seasonal at the spot (regional baseline notes year-round professional coverage, but spot-level guidance indicates seasonal presence).
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Spot-level guidance indicates limited rescue availability.
- Emergency Info
- Emergency services: 911. (Nearest medical facilities include UCLA Santa Monica Medical Center and Providence Saint John's Health Center.)
- Localism / Vibe
- Moderate
Rules of the spot
Standard beach/surfing safety and etiquette apply; avoid restricted access areas near industrial facilities if present.
- Some areas near industrial facilities may have restricted land access.
- Works best at low tide.
- Exposed to open-ocean swell.
- Check water quality reports after heavy rains as runoff can be an issue.
- Low tide is generally preferred to prevent the wave from becoming too fat.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Los Angeles
- Nearest Town
- El Segundo
- Parking
- Paid parking lot available at the end of Grand Avenue; primary access is the El Segundo Beach pay lot.
- Access
- Easily accessible from the pay lot at El Segundo Beach, just south of the spot.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Hotels and rentals available in El Segundo and nearby Manhattan Beach.
- Food & Drink
- Limited options directly on the beach; more options uphill in El Segundo.
- Equipment Rental:
- Surf shops nearby (El Segundo/Manhattan Beach) offer surfboard/wetsuit-related rentals.
- Gear Repair
- Repairs available at nearby surf shops in the El Segundo area.
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 New Jetty?
The best overall months at New Jetty are January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December.
Which wind directions work at New Jetty?
New Jetty works with W, WNW, SW winds. Offshore directions are E, NE.
What skill level is New Jetty suitable for?
New Jetty suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate.