Los Angeles - Cabrillo Beach
United States
Los Angeles
Cabrillo Beach, located in San Pedro, Southern California, is one of the most reliable spots on the south coast, nicknamed Hurricane Gulch by locals. It is a clean, fine sandy beach framed by a pier to the southeast and an imposing cliff to the northwest, offering predictable and consistent sailing conditions.
The spot is divided into two distinct areas: the harbor side with its flat waters ideal for beginners, and the outside where conditions become more dynamic with bump and jump. It is a favorite spot for riders due to its accessibility and the consistent quality of its wind conditions.
Les données de vent affichées ici proviennent d’ERA5 (via Open-Meteo) sur 4 ans, retraitées pour refléter des conditions réalistes.
👉 Le vent moyen a été calibré pour éviter la sous-estimation habituelle des modèles.
👉 Les rafales ont été corrigées par un ratio médian afin d’éviter des valeurs extrêmes irréalistes.
👉 Chaque jour est résumé par le vent médian (P50) observé pendant les heures utiles (8h–20h), puis classé dans des plages de vent.
👉 Le mode pondéré mélange vent moyen et rafales pour refléter au mieux le vent ressenti.
- 🟢 10–16 nds : vent faible mais navigable (notamment en foil).
- 🟡 16–22 nds : plage idéale, conditions confortables pour la majorité.
- 🔴 22–28 nds : vent fort, réservé aux riders expérimentés.
- 🟣 28+ nds : conditions extrêmes, navigation engagée.
Localisation & Points d'intérêt
Informations utiles
chopchopThe dominant wind blows from southwest to west-southwest, making it side-on to the beach but side-off in the sailing area beyond the rocky jetty. The thermal wind regime is very characteristic: it quickly oscillates between 10 and 25 knots, almost instantaneously shifting from one direction to another, making conditions very changeable and gusty.
On the harbor side, the waters are completely flat, perfect for practicing water starts and jibes. It is a protected area with a speed limit of 5 mph outside the no-motor zone. Outside, there is a blast zone that starts 50 meters from the shore and extends for several hundred meters, offering more powerful conditions. Riders must launch their kite upwind and stay upwind of windsurfers for the first 300 meters.
Note: Kitesurfing is prohibited on the outside beach on weekends and holidays from Memorial Day to Labor Day (late May to early September). Weekdays are allowed. Water quality is generally excellent (A+), although sand may make it slightly murky.
Ideal conditions occur from April to October, when the thermal wind is most reliable and powerful. The ideal wind blows from southwest to west-southwest, with a strength of 15 to 25 knots for at least a few hours in the afternoon. These conditions occur about 5 days a week during this period. The best sessions usually take place in the late afternoon when the thermal wind reaches its maximum strength.
The water surface offers very varied conditions depending on the area. On the harbor side, the waters are completely flat, ideal for beginners. Outside, conditions are typically bump and jump, with occasional waves. Waves generally range from 1 to 2 feet face, rarely 3 to 4 feet. A blast zone starts 50 meters from the shore and offers more powerful conditions. If the wind comes from the west, the cliffs of Pt. Fermin can create a shadow zone with light winds for the first 200-300 meters, often accompanied by larger surf waves.
Tide conditions do not directly affect kitesurfing conditions at this spot. However, high tide impacts beach access: during high tides, there is virtually no launch beach upwind of the pier. Since the dredging of 2014-2015, launching is only possible from a small section of beach southwest of the swimming area at high tide.
Recommended kite sizes depend on the variable conditions of the spot. For average conditions of 15 to 20 knots, a kite of 12 to 14 m² is appropriate. For stronger days with 20 to 25 knots, a kite of 9 to 12 m² is preferable. Experienced riders may use smaller kites of 7 to 9 m² during wind peaks. It is recommended to have several sizes available due to the rapid variability of the wind.
The wind regime is dominated by a thermal wind that blows mainly from the southwest, with variations towards west-southwest and west. This thermal wind is strongest and most reliable from April to October, with about 5 days a week offering at least 15 knots for a few hours in the afternoon. The phenomenon of June Gloom can reduce wind speeds from 18-25 mph to only 12-15 mph.
The wind quickly oscillates between 10 and 25 knots, which is about the maximum strength in summer. Direction changes are very rapid and unpredictable, shifting from SSW to W or WSW, becoming extremely gusty and changing near the shore. The wind also occasionally blows from the north, northwest, and north-northwest.
Cabrillo Beach enjoys a typical Mediterranean climate of Southern California. Air temperatures range between 18 and 26°C depending on the season. Winter and spring offer cooler conditions, while summer and autumn are warmer. Water temperature generally hovers around 18-19°C, remaining several degrees colder than the ambient air.
The water depth gradually increases from the shore. The bottom consists of fine sand, providing good traction and a soft surface for landings. You can stand up to a significant distance from the edge, making the spot accessible to beginners on the harbor side. Outside, the depth increases gradually, allowing safe navigation even for less experienced riders.
The water temperature at Cabrillo Beach varies by season. In autumn and winter (September to February), the water is colder, around 18-19°C, requiring a full wetsuit (steamer). In spring and summer (March to August), the temperature rises slightly but remains cool, around 19-20°C. A short wetsuit (shorty) may suffice in late summer and early autumn, but a thicker wetsuit is generally recommended for comfort.