Topanga Beach - surf spot statistics

Best Surf Season (November - February)

The heart of winter delivers the most consistent and quality surf for Topanga Beach. With ideal offshore wind percentages climbing above 56% and peaking at 60% in December, the combination of long-period groundswell and clean north winds sets the stage. While average wave heights hover around 0.8-0.9m, the long periods (12-12.4s) pack a punch, and when a strong storm track sends S-SSW swell our way, the beach can fire with fun, rippable waves. This is the prime time to score.

Fair Surf Season (March - April & September - October)

During the transition months, the offshore wind frequency drops to 43-50%, but the swell remains consistent. The decline in north wind strength leads to more variable conditions, but the ocean still churns with long-period energy from the west. These months offer a good chance at clean surf, especially when high pressure sets up off the coast and delivers those coveted N/NE breezes. It's a shoulder season worth watching.

Low Surf Season (May - August)

Summer is the quietest period for Topanga. Favorable offshore winds plummet to below 27% as the Southern California climate shifts to a persistent southwesterly onshore flow. Swell heights remain small (0.8m average) and while the period is still impressive (12.5-12.7s), the dominant westerly swell direction often combines with onshore winds to produce subpar conditions. Early morning north winds can offer a narrow window, but overall it's a time for a shortboard or a groveler, not expectations of pumping surf.

February: Holding the Winter Window

February maintains the winter momentum with a 56% ideal wind frequency and an average swell height of 0.9m at 12.0s. The swell distribution leans even more heavily into the W (50.8%) and WSW (34.2%), with a slight uptick in SW (9.8%) and SSW (2.4%) compared to January. The north-northeasterly winds still prevail, though slightly less intense than the previous month. The longer-period SW groundswell can occasionally sneak in, providing more direct angles to the beach. When the stars align with a high-pressure block to the north, the offshore winds stay all day, making this a prime month for clean, rippable walls.