(NOTE: Reviews may be edited by our content team for the purposes of ensuring accurate and relevant information)
“El Porto is a beach break with consistent surf mostly year round. The best swell direction is from the NW and WNW (not the South). Combo swells with some Southern Hemi provide the best shape. Porto gets closed out if the swell is too directional. SW swells get mostly blocked by Palos Verdes Peninsula and the southern Channel Islands. El Porto has gotten more crowded with California's true unemployment rate of 21% - still localism is minimal. The best boards for El Porto are fish/longboards during the Summer and your biggest, fastest gun during the Winter. That's when storms out of the Gulf of Alaska send double-over-head sets that are fast and powerful. If Porto is working, you'll get some of the best A-frames of your life. If it isn't, you'll get worked by some of the biggest close-outs, known as 'The Great Wall of El Porto, of your life.”
Mark Rocchio from UNITED STATES - 30 Oct 2010
El Porto Beach Ratings
Overall: 3.0. Based on 14 votes and 1 review. Vote
Quality on a good day: 3.7(1 star: Even when the swell and winds are optimum, the waves are poor quality, 5 stars: If conditions are right, the waves will be World Class). |
Consistency of Surf: 3.7(1: El Porto Beach is a fickle surf spot that only works a few times a year. 5: Reliable year-round spot). |
Regional Rating: 3.6(1: El Porto Beach is usually very poor quality compared to other spots in Los Angeles County. 5: the best break in Los Angeles County). |
Difficulty Level: 3.0(1: Suitable for Groms. 3: Intermediates. 5: Expert tow-in surfers only). |
Onshore Wind: 3.2(1: even a light onshore ruins the surf. 5: El Porto Beach can offer better rides with a light wind behind them). |
Other Options: 2.8(1: If wind or tide conditions are poor at El Porto Beach, it will be poor everywhere nearby. 5: other locations nearby provide a rich variety of wind and swell exposures). |
Wind and Kite Surfing: 2.0(1: An unsuitable spot. 5: Wind and wave conditions at El Porto Beach are often excellent). |
Water Quality: 3.0(1: Known health risks from pollution. 5: Never any pollution). |
Crowds: 1.9(1: Often too crowded. 5: El Porto Beach is an isolated spot where you are unlikely to meet other surfers). |
Access: 5.0(1: Getting to El Porto Beach requires an overland expedition or chartering a boat. 3: A 30 minute walk from the nearest parking. 5: Park a vehicle right by the break). |
Scenery: 3.2(1: An ugly industrial backdrop. 5: A spectacular setting). |
Local Attitude: 3.4(1: Locals are hostile to visitors. 5: Either there are no locals who surf, or else they are accommodating and friendly). |
Accommodation: 3.5(1: No convenient places to stay indoors. 5: A wide variety of accommodation near El Porto Beach for all budgets from hostels to luxury hotels). |
Camping: 2.1(1: Camping at El Porto Beach is not possible. 3: Camping tolerated but no facilities. 5: A nearby camp ground has excellent facilities and a good vibe). |
Entertainment: 4.1(1: Besides the surf and the solitude there is nothing to do when it is flat. 5: El Porto Beach is in such an interesting area to visit that getting wet is a bonus). |
Equipment and Repairs: 4.0(1: Nothing can be sourced, not even wax. 5: Quality surfing equipment can be purchased or hired. Major repairs can be fixed too). |
Eating: 4.4(1: Bring your own food, there isn't even a shop. 5: A wide variety of places to eat and drink at El Porto Beach, from fast food and cafes to fancy restaurants). |
Drinking: 3.9(1: Alcohol is not allowed in the country. 5: There is an excellent pub near El Porto Beach where you can stay or park a camper van overnight). |
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