Sunset Beach

A mellow point-break wedged between Pacific Coast Highway and the Pacific, Sunset Beach delivers long, peeling walls that attract every skill level from groms to longboard veterans. Offshore winds from the east or northeast are essential here as even a light onshore breeze turns the lineup mushy fast. Works best on a SW to NW groundswell, 2-6ft, at mid tide when the wave finds its shape and runs longer down the point. Weekdays are manageable with a relaxed, mostly longboard crowd spanning all ages and abilities. Bottom: sand and point. Season: late summer through fall for south swells, winter for NW energy. Consistency: moderate. Water quality is a known issue after rain, so check local advisories before paddling out, and skip the spot entirely if you smell it before you see it. Just south of where Sunset Blvd meets PCH, with street parking along the highway. Two main peaks: one near the south end of the lot, a second in front of the lifeguard tower where beginners and bodyboarders tend to cluster. On a good day rides stretch well past 150m. Bring a longboard or a high-volume mid-length to make the most of the soft, rolling sections. Crowds stack up hard on summer weekends, so a weekday dawn patrol session is the move.