Seventy Second Place (Seal Beach)
- Freeride, Shortboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Small waves, Shallow
- Spot Type
- Crowded
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Seventy Second Place (Seal Beach) is a jetty-adjacent, sandy launch area where wind sports are mainly driven by a reliable thermal sea breeze. In spring and summer, wind is described as very predictable and typically ramps up from around 1 PM, peaking late afternoon and often continuing until sunset. For kitesurfing, the combination of thermal wind and protective coastal geometry makes the spot beginner-friendly within the designated launch zone. Kiteboarding is also subject to strong site-specific rules: riders must stay out of the swimming areas and clear the river channel entrance. Stingrays are a named hazard, and local guidance emphasizes using the stingray shuffle when entering the water. Surf at this beach break is described across sources as inconsistent and often short-lived. Water quality is commonly cloudy, and clean conditions are rare. The wave setup is beach-break and sheltered in character in some descriptions, with the best surfing sections often found closest to the jetty; larger swell can become heavy and disorganized, with a tendency to close out. Safety and conditions can change notably after rain. Pollution risk is highlighted (including a guidance to wait 72 hours after heavy rain), and strong currents near the San Gabriel River mouth are mentioned, along with boat traffic near the channel and the presence of rocks around the jetty/edge. Overall, it’s best suited to riders who want a dependable afternoon wind window and are comfortable managing local water hazards and site restrictions.
- Clockwork thermal afternoon wind in spring/summer
- Designated kitesurfing zone with predictable conditions
- Beginner-friendly for kite/wing in the right area
- Surf is short, punchy, and often closes out—best near the jetty
- Reliable thermal sea breeze in spring/summer, typically building from early afternoon
- Wide sandy beach section with space for setup/launch
- Works for multiple wind sports (kiteboarding, windsurfing, wingfoiling) with beginner-friendly access for the right zone
- Surf is often inconsistent and rarely very clean
- Cloudy water is common
- Significant hazards and restrictions for kiteboarding (stingrays, pollution, jetty rocks, river channel/boat traffic)
- Water quality can degrade after rain events
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- SW
- Wind Range
- 12–22 kts
- Wind Type
- Thermal — Thermal sea-breeze pattern; builds into the afternoon.
- Reliability
- Very reliable during spring and summer months.
- Gust Factor
- Steady — Described as steady, with daily sea-breeze build.
- Best Months
- April, May, June, July, August, September
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 9–14 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Small waves, Shallow
- Beach
- Sand — Sand beach.
- Beach Size
- Big
- Waves
- Small — Surf is generally small; another listing also describes the water as small-to-medium waves.
- Launch
- Big — Wide sandy beach with ample space for rigging and launching away from the jetty.
- Launch Difficulty
- Easy — Launch described as easy with a wide sandy section.
Through the year
High crowds in summer months, especially on weekends; parking is the primary bottleneck.
December through March is the primary rainy season.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Thermal sea-breeze driven kiteboarding with a protective jetty/breakwater influence. Beginner-friendly within the designated area, with predictable afternoon wind.
- Kite Sizes
- 9–14 m²
Suitable for freeriding and progression; less dominant than kitesurfing at this launch.
- Sail Sizes
- 5.5–7.5 m²
Excellent conditions for wingfoiling thanks to consistent wind and water depth accessible quickly.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes — Listed as foil friendly.
- Min Depth
- 1.5 meters
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Sheltered beach break with inconsistent surf; works best in summer with southwest groundswells. Conditions are rarely very clean.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- S, SW, W
- Swell Height
- 0.6–1.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Best noted as mid tide.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Despite being described as sheltered in some listings, this launch/section is also characterized as jetty-adjacent with exposure to wind and afternoon chop.
- Wind Effect
- Onshore afternoon winds can make surf choppy; mornings are typically best for cleaner conditions.
- Bigger Swell
- Can become heavy and disorganized on significant swell, often resulting in large close-outs.
- Wave Quality
- Average — Quality described as average; other listings note poor/rarely clean surf.
- Wave Power
- Moderate — Often short but can still deliver fun sections near the jetty.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Often described as peeling; tends to close out when surf is larger.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Punchy waves; best rides are often closest to the jetty.
- Ride Length
- Short — Short rides; waves can be punchy and frequently close out.
- Typical Ride Length
- 30–60 m
- Ride Length Details
- Typical rides are short, with the best sections often found closest to the jetty; larger swell can produce heavy, disorganized close-outs.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Seventy Second Place (Seal Beach) in the full forecast view.
Seventy Second Place (Seal Beach) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–8 ktsGusts 15 kts
- Direction
- SW223°
- Strongest day
- Mon, Oct 268 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.5–0.8 m12s period
- Temperature
- 14–26 °C
Over the next 7 days, Seventy Second Place (Seal Beach) is forecast for daytime winds of 2–8 kts, peaking around 8 kts on Monday, October 26 with gusts to 15 kts. The prevailing direction is SW. Waves run 0.5–0.8 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
- Jetty rocks
- Boat traffic
- Strong currents near the river mouth
- Rocks
- Bridge
- Mole
- Locals
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Lifeguards described as seasonal.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue availability listed as limited at spot level; regional context indicates year-round rescue services in the area.
- Emergency Info
- Call 911 for assistance. Nearest major hospital noted as Long Beach Memorial Medical Center.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — Localism described as mild-to-moderate across listings.
Rules of the spot
Kitesurfing is restricted to a designated zone. Riders must stay clear of swimming areas and the river channel entrance. Wait 72 hours after heavy rain due to pollution from the San Gabriel River.
- Designated kite launch zone only
- No kiting in swimming zones
- Wait 72 hours after heavy rain due to pollution from the San Gabriel River
- Do the stingray shuffle when walking in the water.
- Water quality is notably poor after rain—check local health guidance before entering.
- Afternoon wind is very predictable; many riders aim for the best conditions starting around 2 PM.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Long Beach
- Nearest Town
- Seal Beach
- Nearest Airport
- Long Beach Airport (LGB) (~5–6 miles); John Wayne Airport (SNA) (~15 miles); Los Angeles International (LAX) (~25 miles).
- Parking
- Limited street parking along Ocean Blvd and side streets; can be very difficult on weekends.
- Public Transport
- Served by Long Beach Transit and OCTA bus systems, though most visitors rely on personal vehicles or rideshare.
- Access
- Access is via the southern end of the Long Beach Peninsula, specifically at the end of 72nd Place.
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Numerous hotels and vacation rentals in Long Beach and Seal Beach.
- Food & Drink
- Local restaurants and cafes are located nearby on 2nd Street and in the Seal Beach downtown area.
- Equipment Rental:
- Rental gear is available through local kite schools and surf shops in the vicinity.
- Gear Storage
- Limited public gear storage; many riders use vehicle-based storage or storage via local school facilities.
- Gear Repair
- Local shops offer minor kite and board repairs; regional context notes specialized repair shops in the Greater Long Beach/Huntington Beach area.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
The Seal Beach/Long Beach waterfront area offers a mix of small-town charm and major attractions, with nearby ecological reserves and public venues popular for downtime between sessions.
One of the longest wooden piers in California, offering views of the coastline and the Long Beach skyline.
A major public aquarium featuring over 11,000 animals representing diverse regions of the Pacific.
A 1,300-acre coastal estuary with hiking trails and bird watching.
A downtown strip with local diners, bars, and boutiques.
A peaceful 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 Seventy Second Place (Seal Beach)?
The best overall months at Seventy Second Place (Seal Beach) are April, May, June, July, August, September.
Which wind directions work at Seventy Second Place (Seal Beach)?
Seventy Second Place (Seal Beach) works with SW winds.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Seventy Second Place (Seal Beach)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Seventy Second Place (Seal Beach): Kitesurfing: 9–14 m² · Windsurfing: 5.5–7.5 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 12–22 kts.
What skill level is Seventy Second Place (Seal Beach) suitable for?
Seventy Second Place (Seal Beach) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Beginner · Windsurfing: Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Beginner · Surfing: Intermediate.