Santa Monica Pier, North

Santa Monica Pier North is a sand-bottomed beach break positioned directly north of the pier, with waves that peel consistently to the right across extended sections ideal for maneuvers and cruising. The break works best when westerly to west-southwest swell arrives paired with northeast wind, performing strongest at low tide. Waves range from waist-high to overhead, and winter months—particularly January—deliver the most frequent and reliable conditions. Hazards include rip currents and water quality issues from urban runoff pollution, and the break attracts enough surfers that crowds are common.

The pier has hosted surfing competitions and ocean sports events for many decades, with formalized competitions dating at least to paddleboard racing traditions that established themselves at Santa Monica Pier in the 1930s. The annual Pier 360 festival celebrates this heritage, featuring tandem surfing bodyboard contests that draw multiple teams, alongside lifeguard races and paddleboard competitions. The broader Santa Monica coastline became a recognized focal point for California's surf culture as the sport expanded through the 1960s.

Beach Parking Lot 1 North sits directly adjacent to the pier and provides the primary public access to the break, accessible via Pacific Coast Highway with parking rates ranging from $7 to $15 seasonally. An accessible parking area with an elevator serves visitors and sits near the pier entrance at Bubba Gump Shrimp Company.