Seventh Street (Seal Beach)
- Advanced riders
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Flat
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Seventh Street (Seal Beach) is a sheltered rivermouth/jetty break that rarely produces rideable surf conditions. When it does show up, it’s typically small most of the time, so sessions often require patience and good timing with swell and tide. On the days it works, the surf is characterized as punchy with fast, often hollow sections, but it’s also known for very heavy shorebreak. Rides are generally short and intense, with most runs finishing in a tough shorebreak. On larger swells, the break is prone to turning into a heavy, unmakeable closeout. Wind-wise, conditions are most active in the afternoon with predictable sea breezes from the west (W–NW). The spot description indicates it’s best when wind lines up favorably—light offshore winds from the northeast or east help keep things cleaner, while other wind directions can reduce wave quality. Safety is a major consideration at Seventh Street: strong rip currents and heavy shorebreak are common, and the area is widely cautioned for stingrays. Additionally, avoid water entry for 72 hours after significant rainfall due to urban runoff and potential bacteria/pollution impacts. Keep proper distance from the pier/jetties (at least 100 feet) and be cautious when entering near structures.
- Works best around mid tide
- Afternoon sea breeze pattern (west to NW)
- Short, intense rides when it’s on
- Heavy shorebreak and strong currents near the rivermouth
- Sheltered setup with short, punchy rides when swell lines up.
- Clear mid-tide preference for getting the best chance of a workable break.
- Predictable afternoon sea-breeze pattern can help shape conditions when wind is favorable.
- Does not work very often; surf is predominantly small.
- Heavy, dumpy shorebreak can be very punishing.
- Close to jetties/pier: strong rip currents and turbulence near structures.
- Water quality advisories possible after heavy rain.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- W, SW, NW
- Wind Range
- 8–15 kts
- Wind Type
- Sea breeze — Predictable afternoon sea breezes from the west (W–NW), typically building into the afternoon.
- Reliability
- moderate
- Gust Factor
- Light gusts — Described as generally light on gustiness.
- Best Months
- March, April, May, June
- Shadow Zones
- Some turbulence immediately south of the pier.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Flat
- Beach
- Sand — Sandy beach.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Small — Mostly small waves; the break is described as rarely working well.
- Launch
- Medium — Wide sandy beach with easy access from the street end.
- Launch Difficulty
- Easy — Easy access from the street end and a wide sandy launch area.
Through the year
Busy on weekends and during summer; early mornings are less crowded but can still be active.
December through March
By sport
What to expect for each.
A sheltered rivermouth/jetty or rivermouth/jetty-adjacent beach/jetty break that does not work very often. When it does, expect mostly small surf with occasional heavier, fast shorebreak.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- W, NW, SW
- Swell Height
- 0.6–1.8 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Works best on mid tide.
- Shelter
- Semi-sheltered — Sheltered by the rivermouth/jetty setting, but still known for heavy shorebreak.
- Wind Effect
- Prefers light offshore winds from the northeast or east; west/southwest winds can reduce quality.
- Bigger Swell
- Often turns into a heavy, unmakeable closeout on very large swells.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Often punchy but not consistently clean.
- Wave Power
- Powerful — Often intense conditions when it does work.
- Wave Shape
- Barreling — Fast, hollow sections; can barrel, but also tends to go dumpy/closeout as it gets too big.
- Peel Speed
- Fast — Fast, punchy sections.
- Ride Length
- Short — Short, intense rides that finish in heavy shorebreak.
- Typical Ride Length
- 30–60 m
- Ride Length Details
- Typically short, intense rides ending in a heavy shorebreak.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Seventh Street (Seal Beach) in the full forecast view.
Seventh Street (Seal Beach) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–8 ktsGusts 14 kts
- Direction
- SW233°
- Strongest day
- Mon, Oct 268 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.5–0.9 m12s period
- Temperature
- 14–26 °C
Over the next 7 days, Seventh Street (Seal Beach) is forecast for daytime winds of 2–8 kts, peaking around 8 kts on Monday, October 26 with gusts to 14 kts. The prevailing direction is SW. Waves run 0.5–0.9 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
- stingrays
- pollution and bacteria after heavy rain
- strong rip currents
- heavy shorebreak
- sand/jetties with potential turbulence near structures
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Seasonal lifeguards.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited
- Emergency Info
- Seal Beach Marine Safety headquarters is located at the base of the pier.
- Localism / Vibe
- Moderate — Moderate localism noted.
Rules of the spot
Standard pier-distance rules apply; keep well away from the pier/jetties during entry and riding.
- Stay at least 100 feet away from the pier.
- Shuffle your feet every time you walk into the water to help avoid stingrays.
- Avoid entering the water for 72 hours after significant rainfall due to urban runoff from the nearby rivermouth.
- Stay at least 100 feet away from the pier.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Seal Beach
- Nearest Town
- Seal Beach
- Parking
- Metered street parking and a public parking lot near the pier
- Access
- Direct public access via 7th Street
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Small hotels and vacation rentals available within walking distance in Old Town Seal Beach.
- Food & Drink
- Main Street is about one block away with cafes, bars, and restaurants.
- Equipment Rental:
- Board rentals available via local surf shops on Main Street.
- Gear Repair
- Gear repair is available at local surf shops on Main Street.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
Seal Beach offers a laid-back small-town waterfront atmosphere with nearby access to larger coastal amenities in Long Beach, plus ecological destinations close by.
One of the longest wooden piers in California, offering views of the coastline and skyline.
Major public aquarium with over 11,000 animals representing diverse regions of the Pacific.
A 1,300-acre coastal estuary with hiking trails and bird watching.
Downtown strip with local diners and bars.
Forested oasis with walking trails and educational exhibits.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Seventh Street (Seal Beach)?
The best overall months at Seventh Street (Seal Beach) are January, March, April, May, June. The best wind months are March, April, May, June.
Which wind directions work at Seventh Street (Seal Beach)?
Seventh Street (Seal Beach) works with W, SW, NW winds.
What skill level is Seventh Street (Seal Beach) suitable for?
Seventh Street (Seal Beach) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate.