Santa Monica Jetties
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Beginner
- Skill Level
- Chop, Ocean
- Spot Type
- Busy
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Santa Monica Jetties is an exposed beach-break surf spot on the Santa Monica Coast, with a series of rock groins/jetties shaping sandbars and multiple peaks. Surf is often best around low tide, with the wave often breaking as right-handers. When swell and wind align, the spot can offer zippy, occasionally tube-like conditions created by the jetties and sandbar formation. Wind has a strong influence on ride quality: clean offshore-style conditions from the north (and similar N/NNE directions) are described as best for surf quality, while west/southwest winds tend to make the surface choppier. One source also reports a monthly pattern in October, with a higher share of clean conditions than blown-out conditions. Water safety is a key consideration. Rips/currents near the rock groins and pollution concerns (especially after rain) are repeatedly emphasized. Regional guidance specifically notes that after significant rainfall, bacterial advisories can persist for up to about 72 hours—so planning around weather is important. Overall, the spot is described as reliable and widely visited, with a beginner-friendly angle: some sources describe generally soft, mushier waves suited to longboarding, while others emphasize hollow right-handers when conditions are better. Expect crowding during good wave days, and be ready for occasional access or activity restrictions during peak swimming hours (blackball flag conditions in summer).
- Exposed beach break with multiple peaks formed by rock groins/jetties
- Often best around low tide
- North/offshore-style winds can improve surf quality
- Water quality can worsen after rain; plan to avoid 72 hours after significant rainfall
- Exposed, reliable beach-break with consistent surf patterns
- Low tide is typically the sweet spot
- Rock groins/jetties can create sandbars that occasionally produce longer, more tubular moments
- Water quality can deteriorate after significant rainfall
- Rips/currents and pollution are notable hazards
- Can become crowded when waves break well
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- N
- Offshore directions
- N, NNE
- Wind Range
- 5–15 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — Directional wind information is mixed across sources; some describe clean winds and offshore N/NNE conditions for surf. Regional context describes afternoon thermal sea-breeze (diurnal).
- Reliability
- October shows a clean vs. blown-out mix (35% blown out, 55% clean).
- Gust Factor
- Light gusts — Light gusts reported.
- Best Months
- October
- Thermal Window
- Sea breeze · Afternoon · Months: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec · Dir: N · Regional thermal sea-breeze typically develops around midday and peaks through the afternoon (about 12:00 PM–5:30 PM). Spot-specific wind notes emphasize best surf on low tide with N/offshore conditions and strongest clean periods in October.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Chop, Ocean
- Beach
- Sand — Sandy beach; sandbars influenced by jetties.
- Beach Size
- Big
- Waves
- Flat — Wave size described as flat by one source; other surf notes indicate small waves or a range up to about 0.6–1.5/1.8 m swell depending on conditions.
- Chop Level
- Moderate chop — Wind and water descriptions vary; one source notes chop.
- Launch
- Medium — Wide sandy beach with ample space for entering the water.
Through the year
Can get very crowded when waves break; highest in summer months and on weekends with good swells.
December to March
By sport
What to expect for each.
An exposed beach break where rock groins/jetties help form sandbars and multiple peaks. Right-handers are noted, with conditions that can range from zippy little tubes to softer, mushier waves depending on swell and wind.
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- S
- Swell Height
- 0.6–1.8 m
- Optimal Tide
- Low — Best around low tide.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Open coast exposure; minimal natural shelter.
- Wind Effect
- Best with north/offshore wind for cleaner surf; west/southwest winds can make the waves choppier.
- Bigger Swell
- Can close out on very large swells, but often holds shape up to head-high.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Wave quality described as good by one source; another rates it average.
- Wave Power
- Moderate — Spot-specific power described as moderate; another source characterizes waves as generally soft.
- Wave Shape
- Hollow — Sources conflict: one reports hollow right-handers; another describes mushy/soft waves that are more longboard/beginner friendly.
- Peel Speed
- Slow — Reported slow peel speed.
- Ride Length
- Short — Ride length described as short in one source (30–60 m). Another source describes rides up to about 100 m when conditions allow.
- Typical Ride Length
- 30–100 m
- Ride Length Details
- Can provide short punchy rides ending near shore; also described as breaking for up to ~100 meters when conditions line up.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Santa Monica Jetties in the full forecast view.
Santa Monica Jetties wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 1–7 ktsGusts 13 kts
- Direction
- SW214°
- Strongest day
- Fri, Oct 237 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.6–1.0 m12s period
- Temperature
- 15–25 °C
Over the next 7 days, Santa Monica Jetties 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
- Rips
- Rip currents
- Pollution
- Crowded lineup
- Rocks/jetties
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Seasonal lifeguards are reported, with rescue coverage described regionally as year-round monitoring by lifeguards/water rescue services.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue availability reported as limited for the spot.
- Emergency Info
- Dial 911 for emergencies. Lifeguards are stationed at Will Rogers State Beach nearby (seasonal presence reported).
Rules of the spot
Watch for rips/currents and poor water quality after rain; follow standard surfing etiquette and yield to the rider closest to the peak.
- Blackball flags may restrict surfing during peak swimming hours in summer.
- Avoid the water for at least 72 hours after significant rainfall due to high bacteria levels.
- Best sessions are typically around low tide; keep an eye out for sandbars/jetties and current changes near the rock groins.
- Longboard can work well when waves are smaller; shortboard when size picks up.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Los Angeles
- Nearest Town
- Santa Monica
- Nearest Airport
- Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) (~10–15 miles)
- Parking
- Large paid parking lots at Will Rogers State Beach.
- Public Transport
- Los Angeles Metro Bus and Santa Monica Big Blue Bus lines (including connection to the Metro E Line/Expo)
- Access
- Directly off the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH); near Will Rogers State Beach (also described as just north of Will Rogers).
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Near — Numerous hotels in Santa Monica and Pacific Palisades; wide variety of accommodation close by.
- Food & Drink
- Snack bars on the beach and restaurants along PCH.
- Equipment Rental:
- Equipment rental is available at surf shops in Santa Monica and Pacific Palisades; surfboard and wetsuit rentals are widely available.
- Gear Repair
- Available at local surf shops in Santa Monica.
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 Santa Monica Jetties?
The best overall months at Santa Monica Jetties are June, July, August, September, October. The best wind months are October.
Which wind directions work at Santa Monica Jetties?
Santa Monica Jetties works with N winds. Offshore directions are N, NNE.
What skill level is Santa Monica Jetties suitable for?
Santa Monica Jetties suits these riding levels: Surfing: Beginner.