Beginners do best on gentle, forgiving waves on small days. These are the spots in Lineup whose guide says they suit a new surfer, either any day or on small days only, with the board to bring and what to watch for. Open one for the live report.
Beginner spots in Los Angeles
Sunset (Pacific Palisades) surf report
Longboards of every level; beginners on small days.
Good for beginners on small days · Longboards at 1.5–4 ft
Watch for:
- Rocks underfoot and along the shore.
- Packed weekends; mind the etiquette.
- Stay out 72 hours after rain.
Malibu First Point surf report
Longboards; newer surfers on small days.
Good for beginners on small days · Longboards at 1.5–4 ft
Watch for:
- Packed lineup, constant drop-ins.
- Rocks along the point.
- Stay out 72 hours after rain.
Leo Carrillo surf report
Longboarders and cruisers; beginners on small days.
Good for beginners on small days · Longboards at 1.5–3 ft
Watch for:
- The big rock at the takeoff.
- Packed weekend lineups.
- Stay out 72 hours after rain.
Beginner spots in South Bay & Palos Verdes
El Porto surf report
Intermediates on shortboards; longboards and beginners on small days.
Good for beginners on small days · Longboards at 1.5–3.5 ft, shortboards at 3–7 ft
Watch for:
- A packed lineup, worst on weekends.
- Big swells close out and pull strong rips.
- Stay out 72 hours after rain.
Torrance Beach surf report
Beginners on small days; intermediates on longboards, funboards and shortboards.
Good for beginners on small days · Longboards at 1.5–3.5 ft, shortboards at 2.5–6 ft
Watch for:
- Strong rips between the sandbars.
- Often crowded at the main peaks.
- Stay out 72 hours after rain.
Beginner spots in Ventura
Mondos surf report
Beginners and longboarders; mellow enough for a first session.
Good for beginners · Longboards at 1.5–4 ft
Watch for:
- Rocks underfoot at lower tides.
- Fast traffic crossing PCH, then a climb down the riprap.
- Stay out 72 hours after rain.
Faria surf report
Beginners and longboards, best with more tide.
Good for beginners · Longboards at 1.5–4 ft
Watch for:
- Rocks at the point at low tide.
- Stay off the private seawalls; walk in at lower tides.
- Stay out 72 hours after rain.
C Street surf report
Longboards and intermediates; learners stay down the point.
Good for beginners on small days · Longboards at 2–5 ft, shortboards at 3–6 ft
Watch for:
- Pipe, the top peak, is fast and powerful.
- Rocky entries, worst at high tide.
- Crowds and a local crew.
- Stay out 72 hours after rain.
Emma Wood surf report
Intermediates; improving surfers on small days.
Good for beginners on small days · Longboards at 2–4 ft, shortboards at 3–6 ft
Watch for:
- Rocks in parts of the lineup; summer crowds.
- Stay off the railroad tracks behind the beach.
- Stay out 72 hours after rain.
Beginner spots in San Onofre, San Clemente & Dana Point
Dog Patch surf report
Beginners on soft-tops and longboards, plus SUPs and kayaks.
Good for beginners · Longboards at 1.5–3.5 ft
Watch for:
- SUPs and kayaks launch only here; surf camps share the peaks.
- Rocky reef underfoot.
- Keep clear of the unstable bluffs.
- Stay out 72 hours after rain.
Old Man's surf report
Longboards and mid-lengths, from first sessions to seasoned loggers.
Good for beginners · Longboards at 1.5–4 ft
Watch for:
- San Onofre's most crowded lineup, with shifting peaks.
- Cobbles at very low tide; a rocky entry.
- Keep clear of the unstable bluffs.
- Stay out 72 hours after rain.
Doheny surf report
Beginners and longboarders; experienced loggers up north.
Good for beginners · Longboards at 1.5–4.5 ft
Watch for:
- Low-tide cobbles and seaweed, first at Boneyard.
- Summer stingrays; shuffle your feet.
- Summer crowds and party waves.
- Stay out 72 hours after rain.
T-Street surf report
All levels, any board, plus bodyboarders.
Good for beginners on small days · Longboards at 1.5–4 ft, shortboards at 2–5 ft
Watch for:
- Barnacled rocks, kelp, and crowds on mornings and swell days.
- Blackball: no surfboards 11 a.m.–6 p.m., June 14–Aug. 18.
- Cross the tracks only on the footbridge or at gated crossings.
- Stay out 72 hours after rain.
Beginner spots in North County San Diego & Pacific Beach
Tourmaline surf report
Beginners and longboarders; bring volume even when bigger.
Good for beginners · Longboards at 1.5–4 ft, shortboards at 3–6 ft
Watch for:
- Rocks at the north peak.
- Stingrays, summer into fall; shuffle your feet.
- Crowded with learners, plus kiters and windsurfers.
- Stay out 72 hours after rain.
Grandview surf report
Beginners and longboards when small, shortboards when solid.
Good for beginners on small days · Longboards at 1.5–4 ft, shortboards at 3–5.5 ft
Watch for:
- Unstable bluffs: a 2019 collapse here killed three people, so stay well back from the base.
- Crowds on good days.
- Stay out 72 hours after rain.
Moonlight / D Street surf report
Beginners on small days; intermediates at D Street.
Good for beginners on small days · Longboards at 1.5–4 ft, shortboards at 3–6 ft
Watch for:
- No boards in flagged swim zones.
- Summer crowds at D Street.
- Stay out 72 hours after rain.
Spots whose guide marks them as suited to beginners: any day first, then small days only, each in coast order.