Located in Palos Verdes in Southern California, Palos Verdes Cove is an excellent reef break that crashes over a boulder and sand bottom. There are a couple of defined peaks here, but we will focus on Middles here. The waves here are not super challenging and popular with longboarders. The waves break for up to 100 meters, providing great sections for cruising or even some performance surfing. This spot is a pivotal part of surf history in California, which makes it a bit of a regional classic.
What are the best surf conditions for Palos Verdes Cove?
This spot gets good between waist high and double overhead. We recommend riding a longboard here most days and a shortboard when it gets big. This break is best for intermediates and advanced surfers. The surf here is pretty consistent (6/10) and usually crowded (8/10). The best winds are offshore from the Southeast and the best swells are from the Northwest, West, and Southwest. Works on all tides, although the rights dry up when it’s low.
We recommend wearing a 3/2 wetsuit in the summer when the water temperatures rise to 19 degrees. In the winter a 4/3 is best when water temperatures drop to 14 degrees. See the temperature chart below for more data on this.
