Los Angeles - Hermosa Beach
United States
Los Angeles
The beach of Hermosa Beach, located in Los Angeles, California, offers a large stretch of fine sand with an iconic long pier at the center. It is a popular spot among locals for its wide beach and lively atmosphere.
The harbor wall is at the southern end, while the area around the pier attracts experienced riders. Access is easy with nearby parking and on-site amenities.
It is a typical place on the Californian coast, suitable for all levels when conditions are right.
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 comes from the northwest or west, often side-on relative to the south-facing beach. Conditions are better with a rare offshore east wind; otherwise, it is often onshore or cross-on, creating chop on the water.
Launching is done directly from the large sandy beach, with a wide take-off area to the north of the pier to avoid the crowd. The main riding area is south of the pier and towards the harbor wall, but stay away from swimming areas and surfers.
The water is generally choppy with swell from the southwest or northwest, cleaner at mid-rising tide. Avoid peak hours when the beach is crowded with walkers and volleyball players.
Ideal conditions are an offshore east wind at 15-25 knots, combined with moderate southwest swell. Mid-rising tide for clean waves.
The water state is generally choppy due to the constant swell of 1-2m and onshore winds. Cleaner with offshore east, but rare.
The bottom is sandy everywhere, ideal for launching.
Currents are moderate with possible rips near the pier and the harbor wall. Tides have a significant range, up to 2m, influencing the return currents.
Beware of occasional pollution typical of urban beaches in LA.
Opt for 9 to 12m² sizes in light to moderate wind typical of the spot. 7-9m² when the wind rises above 20 knots.
The wind regime is variable but often northwest in the afternoon, with speeds of 15-25 km/h on average. Onshore west winds dominate, sometimes patchy and unstable due to mixed swell.
No specific local name, but sessions are short and depend on coastal thermal gradients.
The climate is mild Mediterranean year-round, with daytime temperatures around 20-25°C in summer and 15-20°C in winter. The best months for kiting are year-round, but spring and autumn offer a good wind/heat balance.
The water remains suitable without a thick wetsuit, and sunshine is generous with over 300 days of sun per year.
The depth is gradual with a completely sandy bottom. You can stand a good distance from the shore, perfect for beginners.
The water temperature ranges from 14-16°C in winter to 18-21°C in summer. Shorty in spring/autumn, 3/2mm wetsuit in winter, shorts in mid-summer.