Pedro Point
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Intermediate to Advanced
- Skill Level
- Ocean, 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Pedro Point is a low-profile, exposed left-hand reef break at the southern end of Pacifica that only works occasionally—often with the best sessions arriving in winter. When the swell is right, waves break off Little Pedro Point and can link into a longer peeling left, but smaller swells may bypass the break entirely. The spot is described as technically demanding and high-stakes: access involves a rocky shoreline with submerged reef sections, kelp, and hazardous jagged rocks. Strong longshore and occasional rip currents can occur near the headland, and sharks are also listed among the hazards. Because conditions can expose the most dangerous rock areas, trying to surf outside the preferred tide window increases risk. Wind direction is a key part of the working formula. Southeast to east winds are favored for cleaner/offshore conditions, while other wind setups may produce messy conditions. Wind reliability is described as low overall, and one description notes wind shadowing effects that can influence how winds behave around the headland. For timing, multiple sources point to high tide as the best window, with December–February (especially December) repeatedly called out as the core period. Water is cold year-round, with wetsuit guidance commonly recommending 4/3mm as a baseline and adding winter layering/footwear where needed. Parking is limited, so arriving early and avoiding private property are emphasized, along with being polite and respecting local priority.
- Exposed left-hand reef break that works mainly with winter swell
- High-tide preference for a safer, more complete wave shape
- Rarely crowded, with limited weekend presence
- Left-hand exposed reef break with the potential for longer rides when the swell wraps in
- Rarely crowded; weekend pressure is usually limited compared with main beaches
- Reef is rocky and technical; hazardous rock-strewn bottom
- Only works occasionally and typically needs winter conditions for good chances
- Rescue is limited and lifeguards are not present at the spot
- Wind/swell windows can be tricky and wind reliability is described as low
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- S, SE, E
- Offshore directions
- SE, E
- Wind Range
- 5–15 kts
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Southeast to east winds are noted; one provider describes the wind as frontal.
- Reliability
- low
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts
- Best Months
- December, January, February
- Shadow Zones
- Heavy wind shadow behind the headland during North or Northwest winds
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Ocean, Swell
- Beach
- Rocks — Rocks/reef setting
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Big — Bigger rideable wave when it works; also described as requiring massive swell to wrap around.
- Launch
- Small — Rocky shoreline access at the southern end of the beach
- Launch Difficulty
- Difficult — Technical rocky shoreline access
Through the year
Rarely crowded year-round; few surfers on weekends
December through March (storm/rain activity); runoff can affect water quality
By sport
What to expect for each.
Exposed, technical left-hand reef break that works only occasionally in winter. The best wave breaks off Little Pedro Point (often around high tide) when a swell wraps into the cove; smaller swells can bypass the break.
- Wave Direction
- Left
- Optimal Swell
- NW
- Swell Height
- 8–16 m
- Optimal Tide
- High — High tide is consistently cited as required to avoid the most dangerous rock sections and to access the working wave.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed reef/point setting with technical access; not sheltered from swell exposure.
- Wind Effect
- Southeast/east winds are favored for offshore/cleaner conditions; west/northwest winds are described as onshore and messy. Valley/channel wind may help reliability in some wind setups.
- Bigger Swell
- Needs a very large swell to wrap around the point; smaller swells may bypass the break entirely.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Wave quality is described as good when the swell/wind window lines up.
- Wave Power
- Very powerful — Described as one of the bigger rideable waves when it works; also noted as powerful.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Left-hand reef/point break that peels when the swell wraps in.
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Medium — Can offer a long peeling left when conditions are large enough to connect sections.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–150 m
- Ride Length Details
- Can produce a long peeling left when the swell is large enough to connect sections.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Pedro Point in the full forecast view.
Pedro Point wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–12 ktsGusts 19 kts
- Direction
- WNW302°
- Strongest day
- Thu, Oct 2912 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.0–1.8 m9s period
- Temperature
- 12–20 °C
Over the next 7 days, Pedro Point is forecast for daytime winds of 2–12 kts, peaking around 12 kts on Thursday, October 29 with gusts to 19 kts. The prevailing direction is WNW. Waves run 1.0–1.8 m with a period of about 9s. 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
- Rocks
- Sharks
- Sharp jagged rocks
- Submerged reef sections
- Kelp
- Strong longshore and occasional rip currents near the headland
- Heavy hold-downs
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Spot-level rescue is described as unavailable by one provider; regional context indicates rescue is limited.
- Emergency Info
- Emergency number: 911.
- Localism / Vibe
- Moderate — Local priority is emphasized; one source characterizes localism as moderate.
Rules of the spot
Park near the point but not in private property areas. Be polite and respect local priority.
- Not suitable for beginners
- Takeoff zone is small and technical
- Be polite at the limited parking area and avoid private property when parking near the point.
- Only attempt on a high tide to avoid the most dangerous rock sections.
- A very large swell is required for the break to wrap around and work.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Pacifica
- Nearest Town
- Pacifica
- Parking
- Limited parking up in Pedro Point; parking is advised near the point but not in private property areas.
- Access
- Short walk (5-15 min) from parking near the point; avoid private property areas. Can also paddle from the Boat House.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Hotels and vacation rentals are available in Pacifica.
- Food & Drink
- Multiple cafes and restaurants are located within walking distance at the Linda Mar shopping center.
- Equipment Rental:
- Equipment rental is available at surf shops near Pacifica State Beach.
- Gear Repair
- Local surfboard repair is available through shops within Pacifica.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Pedro Point?
The best overall months at Pedro Point are January, February, December. The best wind months are December, January, February.
Which wind directions work at Pedro Point?
Pedro Point works with S, SE, E winds. Offshore directions are SE, E.
What skill level is Pedro Point suitable for?
Pedro Point suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate to Advanced.