Surf: General: 36th is a great place for kids and average surfers in the summer. On big, closeout south swells, you can find fun peaks/left walls in that area. However, the closer you get to the pier the smaller the waves will be. The waves are more forgiving and mellower than the upper jetties. 36th can be fun with the winter's west swells too. Plus there's less crowd and it's less competitive than 28th Street and Blackies. (Hint: It's worth a check on big closeout south swells when the south wind is blowing.) Tides: medium Size: head-high-plus Wind: E, NE Swell: SSE, S, SSW Bottom: Sand Paddling: Pretty short paddle most days, but can be a lot of work on a strong south or northwest swell with current. Spot Rating: Playful little beachbreak most days, can get exceptional on a good combo or tropical swell. Access: Street parking with a few meters sprinkled in for good measure. Double check that street sweeping day, if there are available spots galore it's probably too good to be true. Crowds: Crowd Factor: Not as bad as surrounding breaks. Local Vibe: Mostly cordial. Environment: Not great after a rain. Hazards: Falling into the jetty, beginners on big boards. Season: March-October, but can be good on some W or NW swells November-February.