Rose Avenue
- Longboard, Beginners
- Best for
- Beginner
- Skill Level
- Chop
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Rose Avenue is an exposed sandy beach break at the foot of Rose Avenue in the Venice/Santa Monica area, with generally small-to-moderate waves and a bottom that suits straightforward paddling and takeoffs. For surfing, northeast wind is the key factor that usually gives the cleanest conditions. The spot is often described as offering approachable, easygoing waves for beginners, and it’s noted to be less crowded than many of the more famous nearby Venice breaks—making it a good choice when you want a calmer session. Safety is the primary concern here: pollution is a recurring hazard, and the water quality can be an issue particularly after winter rains and heavy rainfall runoff from storm drains. Rip currents are also possible, especially as swell size increases, so it’s important to stay aware of conditions at the beach. In terms of seasonality and timing, a spring/summer approach is common for suit choice, but winter conditions can still be surfable with the right wetsuit. The spot’s best results are commonly associated with winter months (especially January) and with summer being the overall best season; conditions and crowd levels are also reported to vary by season (quieter in winter mornings, busier on summer weekends).
- Accessible beach break with easy launch and a sandy bottom
- Northeast winds tend to clean up the surf
- Beginner-leaning waves and a calmer crowd relative to nearby Venice breaks
- Pollution and rip-current awareness required
- Beginner-friendly, easy-access sandy beach break
- Northeast winds tend to clean up the surf
- Relatively few surfers even on good days
- Water quality/pollution issues, especially after rain
- Rip currents can occur
- Can close out on larger swells
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NNE, NE
- Offshore directions
- NE
- Wind Range
- 8–15 kts
- Wind Type
- Sea breeze — Afternoon sea-breeze pattern; offshore northeast winds tend to clean up the surf.
- Reliability
- Moderate for surfing (offshore mornings); low for wind-powered sports due to inconsistent strength and surf-zone focus.
- Gust Factor
- Light gusts
- Best Months
- January, February, March
- Shadow Zones
- Buildings along the boardwalk can create slight turbulence very close to the shore in certain cross-shore directions.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Chop
- Beach
- Sand
- Beach Size
- Big
- Waves
- Small — Also described as small-to-medium depending on swell and sandbar.
- Chop Level
- Moderate chop — Afternoon onshore/westerly winds can create chop; northeast offshore winds usually improve texture.
- Launch
- Small — Beach access at the foot of Rose Avenue.
Through the year
High during summer weekends; relatively low for the region during winter mornings.
Rainy season typically occurs from December through March.
By sport
What to expect for each.
An exposed, sandy-bottom beach break at the foot of Rose Avenue. Waves are generally average but tend to be approachable for beginners, with more relaxed, uncrowded conditions relative to nearby Venice breaks.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- WSW, W, NW, N, S
- Swell Height
- 0.5–2 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Mid tide is noted as the best tide.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Open coastline setting; exposed to swell and wind.
- Wind Effect
- Northeast winds provide the cleanest conditions; typical afternoon westerlies create chop.
- Bigger Swell
- Can close out when swells exceed about 2.5 meters.
- Wave Quality
- Average
- Wave Power
- Soft — Some sources describe the spot as offering softer/easygoing waves for learners.
- Wave Shape
- Mushy — Also described as a mix of wave shapes depending on sandbars.
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Short — Typically short to medium rides depending on sandbar formation.
- Typical Ride Length
- 30–70 m
- Ride Length Details
- Punchy beach-break peaks that offer short to medium rides depending on sandbar formation; typical ride lengths reported at roughly 30–70 meters.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Rose Avenue in the full forecast view.
Rose Avenue wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 1–7 ktsGusts 13 kts
- Direction
- SW222°
- Strongest day
- Fri, Oct 237 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.6–1.0 m12s period
- Temperature
- 14–24 °C
Over the next 7 days, Rose Avenue is forecast for daytime winds of 1–7 kts, peaking around 7 kts on Friday, October 23 with gusts to 13 kts. The prevailing direction is SW. Waves run 0.6–1.0 m with a period of about 12s. 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
- Pollution (especially after rain)
- Rip currents
- Urban runoff from storm drains
- Stingrays (seasonal)
- Storm drains nearby can create localized hazards
- Some submerged debris may be present after heavy storms
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Year-round — Los Angeles County lifeguards monitor the area.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Yes
- Emergency Info
- Los Angeles County lifeguards are stationed nearby at Venice Beach. Dial 911 for emergencies.
Rules of the spot
Standard surfing etiquette applies. Avoid the water for 72 hours after heavy rainfall due to elevated bacteria levels; stay out of designated swimming zones when flagged.
- Surfing restricted in designated swimming zones when flagged
- Blackball flags may prohibit surfing during peak summer hours if crowds are high
- Relatively few surfers here even on good days (useful for a calmer session).
- Avoid the water for 72 hours after heavy rainfall due to bacteria levels.
- Shuffle your feet in the sand during summer months to avoid stingrays.
- Be cautious of rip currents, especially during larger swells.
- Parking fills early on nice days.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Santa Monica
- Nearest Town
- Venice
- Parking
- Paid public parking lot is located directly at the end of Rose Avenue (Venice Beach Lot 5). Parking may require $4–7 and can fill early on nice days.
- Public Transport
- Big Blue Bus #1 to Rose Ave and Main Street, then walk ~6 blocks west to the Rose Ave parking lot.
- Access
- Accessible via the beach boardwalk at the end of Rose Avenue (Rose Avenue parking lot near the beach).
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Numerous hotels and short-term rentals in Venice and Santa Monica.
- Food & Drink
- Many cafes, bars, and restaurants along Rose Avenue and the Venice Boardwalk.
- Equipment Rental:
- Surfboard rentals are available at various shops along the Venice Beach boardwalk.
- Gear Storage
- Not typically available; most riders use their vehicles.
- Gear Repair
- Several surf shops in the Venice/Santa Monica area offer ding repair services.
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 Rose Avenue?
The best overall months at Rose Avenue are January, February, March, June, July, August, September, October, November. The best wind months are January, February, March.
Which wind directions work at Rose Avenue?
Rose Avenue works with NNE, NE winds. Offshore directions are NE.
What skill level is Rose Avenue suitable for?
Rose Avenue suits these riding levels: Surfing: Beginner.