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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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

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
Great for
Surfing longboardBeginners
What's great
  • Beginner-friendly, easy-access sandy beach break
  • Northeast winds tend to clean up the surf
  • Relatively few surfers even on good days
Heads up
  • Water quality/pollution issues, especially after rain
  • Rip currents can occur
  • Can close out on larger swells
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Practical spot guide

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

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Best seasonOff-season
14–21 °C
Water Temperature
9–29 °C
Air Temperature
Wetsuit Guide
Jan–May: 4/3mmJun–Dec: 3/2mm
Crowds by Season

High during summer weekends; relatively low for the region during winter mornings.

Storm/Rain Season

Rainy season typically occurs from December through March.

By sport

What to expect for each.

SurfingBest for this spotSkill Level

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.

Beach break
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.
Forecast

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.

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

  • 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
Ability Level: Beginner
Recommended Safety Gear
Wetsuit

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.

Restrictions
  • Surfing restricted in designated swimming zones when flagged
  • Blackball flags may prohibit surfing during peak summer hours if crowds are high
Local Tips
  • 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
Amenities

What's on the beach

Parking
Toilets
Showers
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.
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 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.