Latigo Point - surf spot statistics

Best Surf Season (November - February)

The winter months at Latigo Point are when the North Pacific roars to life, sending a steady diet of long-period west and southwest swells toward the Southern California coastline. While this south-facing cove sits somewhat sheltered from the full force of the open ocean, the combination of powerful groundswells (averaging 1.0-1.1m with periods of 12-12.4s) and a high frequency of offshore winds from the north quadrant creates the most consistent and high-quality surf of the year. December leads the pack with a whopping 70% of wind conditions being ideal, closely followed by January (67%) and November (65%). During these months, strong extratropical storms spinning down from the Gulf of Alaska generate ample swell energy that wraps into Latigo, and when a high-pressure system sets up over the Great Basin, the resulting northerly flow cleans up the surface beautifully. Expect frequent sessions with clean, shoulder-high waves peeling nicely along the reef.

Fair Surf Season (March, April, October)

As the winter storm track begins to ease and summer patterns start to emerge, the spring and early autumn months offer a mixed bag. March and April still see a decent amount of west and southwest swell (average heights around 1.1-1.2m, periods 11.8-11.9s), but the percentage of favorable offshore winds drops to 45-51%. This means more afternoons get spoiled by onshore sea breezes, though mornings can still be glassy. October marks the transition back into winter, with a noticeable uptick in favorable wind frequency (51%) and the first significant swells of the season. These shoulder months are prime for patient surfers willing to pick their windows – the swell is there, but you often have to work around periods of cross-shore or light onshores.

Low Surf Season (May - September)

Summer and early fall are largely the slow season at Latigo Point. The North Pacific storm machine powers down, resulting in smaller average swell heights (0.9m for most months) and a dramatic shift in wind patterns. The percentage of ideal offshore winds plummets to as low as 24% in June and only climbs back to 42% by September. During this period, the dominant swell directions shift more toward the south and southwest, but the prevailing winds – frequently from the southwest and west – blow directly onshore or cross-shore, chopping up the surface and ruining wave quality. While long-period groundswells from the southern hemisphere can occasionally sneak in (especially in July and August), they are often accompanied by weak, local windswell and thermal breezes that make the surf bumpy and inconsistent. This is the time for small-wave boards and early morning missions before the wind kicks up.

December: Peak Season Perfection

December is the zenith of the surf year at Latigo Point, with the highest percentage of ideal wind conditions (70%) and solid swell. Average swell height is 1.0m with a period of 12.3s, representing consistent, powerful groundswell. The direction is strongly westerly: W (49.4%), WSW (21.7%), and SW (9.7%), with some WNW (10.9%) wrapping in. While the west direction isn't perfect for the south-facing reef, the sheer volume of energy and the excellent wind conditions more than compensate. Offshore north-northeasterly winds (NNE 20.1%, N 12.7%) are the dominant players, often blowing 10-20kph and creating glassy, lined-up waves. The winter solstice brings the shortest days but the longest-period swells, as intense low-pressure systems in the Gulf of Alaska send swell trains thousands of miles. When the stars align – a solid west swell and a crisp offshore wind – Latigo Point offers some of the best, most consistent waves on the Southern California coast. Grab your board and enjoy the prime month.