Wallys (Palos Verdes)
- Shortboard, Advanced riders
- Best for
- Expert
- Skill Level
- Swell, Medium waves, Mixed
- Spot Type
- Moderate
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Wallys is a fairly exposed point break in Palos Verdes Estates that can be hard to rely on, described as breaking only around 50 days per year. When it works, it is known for right-hand, peeling rides over a sharp reef bottom, but the spot still demands an experienced approach because the conditions are not consistent and the lineup is rocky. Wind-wise, east winds are consistently highlighted as the preferred setup. Monthly wind averages are reported with a mix of blown and clean conditions, and wind reliability is characterized as low overall. In practice, offshore east flow is expected to groom the wave face, while onshore winds from other directions can add chop. The hazards are a major part of the spot: rocks, submerged boulders, and sea urchins are repeatedly noted, along with the likelihood of poor traction and careful footing on the rocky entry/walkout. Pollution is also listed as a risk, with particular emphasis on checking conditions before going in—especially after heavy rainfall, when water quality can worsen. Access is steep and difficult, and rescue at the shoreline is reported as difficult due to the terrain. Combined with heavy localism, this means visitors should plan for a cautious, etiquette-first session and be fully prepared with the right protective gear and footwear.
- Right-hand peeling point break over a rocky reef (works best when the swell wraps in).
- Best month is January with east winds.
- Steep cliff access and sharp sea-urchin hazards—protective footwear is essential.
- Pollution risk increases after heavy rain.
- Peeling right-hand point break over a rocky reef that can produce quality rides when it works.
- East winds are preferred and can help groom the wave face.
- Best month reported as January.
- Unreliable/rarely working conditions (described as breaking only about 50 days per year).
- Sharp reef hazards including rocks and sea urchins.
- Pollution risk, especially after heavy rain.
- Steep, difficult access and complicated emergency response due to terrain.
- Heavy localism.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- E
- Offshore directions
- E
- Wind Range
- 5–12 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — Best winds are reported as east winds; a regional thermal sea-breeze pattern exists in spring/summer, but at this spot wind suitability is summarized by east-offshore preference for January.
- Reliability
- low (wind reliability reported as low; monthly averages show a mix of clean/blown/small conditions)
- Best Months
- January
- Shadow Zones
- High cliffs provide significant shelter from North and Northwest winds (context noted for the spot area).
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell, Medium waves, Mixed
- Beach
- Rocks — Rocky/reef bottom; also described as sharp reef with rocks and sea urchins.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Medium — Wave size is described as medium; can require significant swell to wrap into the bay and work.
- Launch
- Small — Narrow rocky shore at the base of steep cliffs.
- Launch Difficulty
- Difficult — Steep, unmaintained cliff trail access and narrow rocky entry.
Through the year
Can get crowded when a good swell hits; otherwise consistent local presence year-round.
December through March (rainy season); pollution risk increases significantly during this period.
By sport
What to expect for each.
A fairly exposed point break with unreliable waves that best in January with east winds. Requires a significant swell to wrap into the bay and start working; right-hand waves are the primary attraction.
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- W, NW
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Reported as best on a mid-tide.
- Shelter
- Semi-sheltered — Generally exposed to the open coast, but cliff shielding can matter for certain wind directions.
- Wind Effect
- East winds are preferred/offshore and help groom the wave face; winds from West or Northwest are onshore and can cause chop.
- Bigger Swell
- Can handle larger swells but may become sectiony or wash through during extreme events.
- Wave Quality
- Average — Average wave quality reported; locally known for peeling rides when conditions line up.
- Wave Power
- Moderate — Reported as fairly exposed with moderate power; also described as unreliable overall.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Right-hand point break; works as a peeling ride over a rocky bottom.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Waves peel along the rocky point.
- Ride Length
- Medium — Good days can produce rides in the roughly 50–100 m range.
- Typical Ride Length
- 75 m
- Ride Length Details
- Rides are described as roughly 50–100 meters on good days; typical reported ride length is about 75 meters.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Wallys (Palos Verdes) in the full forecast view.
Wallys (Palos Verdes) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–8 ktsGusts 16 kts
- Direction
- SW216°
- Strongest day
- Mon, Oct 268 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.6–1.0 m10s period
- Temperature
- 14–24 °C
Over the next 7 days, Wallys (Palos Verdes) is forecast for daytime winds of 2–8 kts, peaking around 8 kts on Monday, October 26 with gusts to 16 kts. The prevailing direction is SW. Waves run 0.6–1.0 m with a period of about 10s. 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
- rocks
- sea urchins
- pollution
- submerged boulders
- difficult cliff access
- potential rip currents near rocks
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguards reported at the spot.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue availability is reported as no / difficult; broader regional rescue coverage exists via professional lifeguards, but no dedicated local rescue base was confirmed for the spot.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest major facilities are in Palos Verdes Estates or Torrance; emergency response to the shoreline is difficult due to terrain.
- Localism / Vibe
- Heavy — Locals-only reputation with heavy localism reported.
Rules of the spot
Respect the local surfing community and follow strict surf etiquette.
- Access is limited by steep and potentially unstable cliff trails.
- Difficult shoreline access can complicate emergency response.
- Expect a steep hike down and a rocky walk out to the lineup.
- Urchins are everywhere—watch your step and wear protective footwear.
- Check water quality reports before entering, especially after heavy rain.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Palos Verdes Estates
- Nearest Town
- Palos Verdes Estates
- Parking
- Parking available at the first empty lot on Paseo Del Mar after turning left at Lunada Bay. Limited street parking is also reported in nearby residential neighborhoods.
- Access
- Located next to Lunada Bay in Palos Verdes Estates on Paseo Del Mar off Paseo Lunada. Access directions reported as: take PV Drive West to Paseo Lunada until Lunada Bay is visible; left at Lunada Bay; drive on Paseo Del Mar; Wallys is the first empty lot on the left.
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Various accommodations are reported in nearby areas including Redondo Beach and Torrance.
- Food & Drink
- No facilities on the beach; shops and restaurants are located a short drive away.
- Equipment Rental:
- No rentals available at the spot; surf shops are located in nearby South Bay cities.
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 Wallys (Palos Verdes)?
The best overall months at Wallys (Palos Verdes) are January.
Which wind directions work at Wallys (Palos Verdes)?
Wallys (Palos Verdes) works with E winds. Offshore directions are E.
What skill level is Wallys (Palos Verdes) suitable for?
Wallys (Palos Verdes) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Advanced to Expert.