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GhostFingers · Los Angeles County · Santa Monica Bay

Venice Breakwater

Sand beachbreak beside the rock breakwater at Venice Beach in the Santa Monica Bay. The breakwater blocks northwest wind and holds a sandbar on its south side.

Santa Monica Bay Famous spot

Spot intel

Parking

City beach lots off Ocean Front Walk with a posted fee. Street parking in Venice fills early.

Crowd

Thick and local. The breakwater peak is a tight defined takeoff.

Beginner-friendly?

No.

A tight peak beside a rock breakwater with an established local priority hierarchy and a crowded takeoff zone. Not a beginner wave.

Famous for

The breakwater peak at Venice Beach, the best-known wind-protected sandbar in the Santa Monica Bay.

Lineup etiquette

Beachbreak priority is per-wave from the peak. Give the breakwater rocks a wide margin.

When it’s on

South through west swell with light offshore wind from the east through northeast. Mid tide window.

Where it breaks

Coordinates
33.9850, -118.4750
Shore faces
WSW
Region
Santa Monica Bay, California

Common questions

What swell direction is best for Venice Breakwater?
Venice Breakwater works best on a SSW to W swell.
How big does Venice Breakwater need to be?
Venice Breakwater is best in the 2-6ft range on a 10-16s period.
What are the best conditions at Venice Breakwater?
Light or offshore wind under about 8 knots, with the tide around 1-4ft.
Where is Venice Breakwater?
Venice Breakwater is a breakwater sandbar peak in Santa Monica Bay, California. The beach faces WSW.
Does GhostFingers forecast Venice Breakwater?
Yes. GhostFingers grades Venice Breakwater with a six-tier verdict from swell height, period, direction, tide, and wind. iPhone, winter 2026.

New to reading a forecast? Start here.

Launching winter 2026.

Six-tier verdicts for every California break, calibrated to swell, period, direction, tide, and wind.

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