Sapphire Street (Palos Verdes)

Sapphire Street is a low-profile, jetty-influenced beach break at the south end of King Harbor Marina in Redondo Beach, known for its shallow sandbars and for offering sandbar “rights” on the south side of the jetty. Surf works best on W to WNW short-to-mid period swells, with the break marked as exposed and shaped by the jetty structure. Timing matters: it is typically best in winter (especially January) and is described as not working very often. The break also has a strong dependency on wave timing because it refracts longer swells away, and it is stated to be completely shadowed from south/summer swells. For wave timing, low tide is consistently highlighted as the best tide condition. Wind can make or break sessions. The spot tends to do best with light offshore winds from the east, while afternoon NW sea-breeze winds are described as often unfavorable and can make conditions choppy. Wind reliability is noted as low, and the area can be partially shadowed from strong NW winds by the Palos Verdes Peninsula to the south. Safety and comfort are strongly tied to water quality and crowding. Pollution and urban runoff after rain are flagged as major concerns, with specific guidance to avoid surfing for 72 hours after heavy rainfall due to elevated bacteria risk. Rip currents are also reported near the jetty, and crowds can build during peak swells—so expect busier conditions at the times when the surf does come together.