If you’re a surfing enthusiast, you’ll want to know about surfing in Torrance. Torrance is located at the south end of Los Angeles’ South Bay.
The waves breaking on its shores are good for all types of surfers, from beginners to pros. Torrance is also ideal for surfers since crowds are usually fewer compared to other beaches like Malibu and El Porto.
In this post, we’re going over everything you need to know about surfing in Torrance.
Best Surfing Conditions
In general, a lot of South Bay areas cater to wintertime swells. The northwest direction is the best for Torrance and surfers are advised to go for the medium-to-higher tide. South Bay’s beach breaks tend to close out when low tide occurs.
Crowd Size
While there are many surfers in Torrance, this beach is less populated than other beaches like Venice, Malibu, and El Porto.
That said, depending on the time of year and the level of swell, Torrance can still pull a sizable crowd.
The Right Board to Ride
The best boards to use are longboards, foam boards, and those that’ll easily float on a gutless swell in Torrance.
For massive swells, a high-performance shortboard is the perfect option.
Tips by Pros
There are three things to remember for first-time surfers:
- Discover your own peak.
- Be aware of your own limits.
- Pay respect to the locals.
Surfing Southern California
Here is what you need to know about surfing in Southern California:
Surf Break Types:
- Reef breaks
- Beach breaks
- Point breaks
- Jetties
- Shore breaks
Difficulty Level: Waves are diverse and will suit both first-time surfers and advanced surfers.
Season and Swell Basics: This area of the Pacific Coast has swells and sunshine throughout the whole year.
Here is what you can except for each month:
- December to February - Colder waters and northerly swells
- March to May - Northerly swells still dominate, but southerly swells also come into the picture with a lot of onshore winds which can interrupt late morning or mid-day surfing sessions. Early or late starts are the best time for the right conditions.
- June to August - Long period swells coming from the south with the water temperature warming. Afternoon winds blow so it’s best to head out when the day forecasts lighter wind. The best combination is a south swell mixed with sunshine and light winds. It’s also tourist season making the beach crowded.
- September to November - A mix of north swells, south swells, and potential offshore winds create a superb condition. Temperatures at the sea remain warm and turn colder by November.
Sea Temperature in Southern California
In So Cal, the ocean temperature can record a 52 low on the coldest winter days while late summer to early fall can reach up to 74.
A record-breaking year was in the summer of 2018. Highs landed in the range of 76 to 78. Southern California is known for its fluctuations compared to the north area. It’s advisable to have a variety of wetsuit options.
On colder days, it’s perfect to wear a 3/2 mm. However, on warmer days, it’s best to choose a 2mm wetsuit. If you like warmer suits in the middle of winter, then a 4/3 mm and booties are the perfect garb for your planned morning and evening sessions.
Here’s a guide:
- Winter (December to February): 52-58
- Spring (March to May): 54-62
- Summer (June to August) 60-72
- Fall (September to November) 60-73
Other Surf Spots in Southern California
1. Rincon (Santa Barbara/Ventura)
Dubbed the Queen of the Coast, Rincon is a long and beautiful break that you can catch in late fall to early spring.
2. Malibu (Los Angeles)
Deemed as a perfect right-hand point break, Malibu is popular during summer as opposed to Rincon’s winter swells.
Malibu comes with a sizable crowd for its popularity with longboarders. So, if you don’t want to be in a crowded area, avoid Malibu.
Malibu rarely gets rain in the summer, but when it does, it’s not recommended to go in the water because the local septic tanks will affect the lineup making you sick.
3. Trestles (San Diego/South Orange County)
Even if Trestles technically belongs to San Diego County, it’s still deemed as part of San Clemente or South Orange County since Camp Pendleton segregates it from North County San Diego.
Trestles is famous for its surf breaks, such as the renowned Lowers, and other waves like Uppers, Middles, Cottons, Church, and San Onofre State Beach/Old Man’s.
Lowers are considered the best wave of all so plenty of seasoned locals and pros aim for them. You can always go for Uppers and Middles waves if your level is not at par with the advanced surfers yet.
Bottom Line
We hope this post about surfing in Torrance and Southern California was helpful!
If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact Pinnacle Property Management.
