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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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 this spot

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
Great for
Surfing shortboardSurfing longboardSurfing bodyboardAdvanced ridersBeginners
What's great
  • 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.
Heads up
  • 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.
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Practical spot guide

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

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Best seasonOff-season
14–21 °C
Water Temperature
Wetsuit Guide
Jan–May: 4/3mmJun–Dec: 3/2mm
Crowds by Season

Can be crowded on weekends and during good swells; midweek mornings are generally quieter.

Storm/Rain Season

December through March

By sport

What to expect for each.

SurfingBest for this spotSkill Level

Exposed beach/jetty break with fairly consistent surf; described as working best at low tide and offering rideable waves year-round.

Beach break
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.
Forecast

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.

Nearby

Other spots in the area

Safety

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
Ability Level: Intermediate
Recommended Safety Gear
HelmetImpact vestLeash

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.

Restrictions
  • Some areas near industrial facilities may have restricted land access.
Local Tips
  • 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
Amenities

What's on the beach

Showers
Toilets
Changing rooms
Parking
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.
Learn, rent & more

Schools & services

No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.

Reviews

From riders who've been here

Community observations

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.