Surf: General: Palos Verdes Cove has a rich and colorful history dating all the way back to the 1930s, but the focal point for surfing here nowadays is Middles. Comprised of fun lefts and rights that generally offer playful waves for longboards and funboards, as things start to get bigger on a solid NW or SW, the waves get more challenging. The wave is also affected by the tide and can get drained out when it gets too low. The Boneyard on the inside offers a shallow lefthander that can get hollow and pack a punch when the conditions align. Tides: A little water over the rock reef makes a big difference, as the wave can get too drained out and shallow. That mid-tide push usually helps when the swell’s small. Size: Waist-high to overhead. Wind: E, SW Swell: S/W-SW Bottom: Sand and rocks on the beach with a rocky bottom. Paddling: The lineup is a ways offshore and takes some work to get out to. It’s pretty cruisey on small days, but gets progressively more challenging as the swell fills in. Spot Rating: A fun, user-friendly longboard spot most of the time that can offer hollow lefts on the inside Boneyard section when conditions come together. Access: Access by a dirt footpath at Flat Rock Point. Crowds: Crowd Factor: Can get busy with local PV surfers, and the Boneyard can be competitive when it turns on. Local Vibe: Palos Verdes is one of the last bastions of localism in Southern California. The crew that surf here regularly know each other and don’t welcome outsiders. However, PV Cove isn’t as fiercely defended as nearby Lunada Bay. Environment: One of the more pristine areas in the L.A. zone, Palos Verdes Cove is a protected marine preserve with healthy sea life, including offshore kelp beds that help provide glassy conditions. Hazards: The bottom and angry locals are the biggest issues you’ll face here. Season: PV Cove will break throughout the year, but solid groundswells really maximize the bottom bathymetry. Summer and winter are both viable seasons with different moods and temperaments.