Ghost Fingers · Los Angeles County · North LA

Bay Street

South-facing beachbreak in Santa Monica, at the foot of Bay Street between the Pier and Venice. Sand bottom, multiple peaks. The longstanding South Bay surf-school venue south of Malibu.

North LA Beginner-friendly NDBC buoy 46221NOAA tide 9410840

Spot intel

Parking

Metered street parking on Barnard Way and the side streets. Paid lots at Santa Monica State Beach, about $12-15 day-use. Lots fill on summer weekends.

Crowd

Thick on weekends and after work. Surf-school clusters dominate the middle of the beach; experienced surfers spread to the side peaks.

Beginner-friendly?

Yes.

Sand bottom, forgiving wave shape, established surf-school presence, and lifeguards year-round. The catches are summer crowd density and along-shore current.

Lineup etiquette

Beachbreak priority is per-wave. A wave already taken from the peak isn't open to paddle into.

When it's on

South or southwest groundswell with light offshore from the north through northeast.

When beginners can paddle out

Knee-high to shoulder-high on any tide with light morning wind. First light runs cleanest before the South Bay sea breeze comes up.

Where it breaks

Coordinates
34.0085, -118.4965
Shore faces
SW
Region
North LA, California

Launching summer 2026.

Six-tier verdicts for every California break, calibrated to swell, period, direction, tide, and wind. One email when Bay Street ships in the app.

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