Surf spot

Staircases

Forecast conditions and map view for Staircases in USA, California, LA County. Open the interactive surf map to inspect wind, waves, and nearby spots.

Country: USA, California, LA County
Coordinates: 34.0460, -118.9521

Metric
Metric	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00
Wave height (m)	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.5	1	1.1	0.9	0.9	0.7	0.5	0.5	0.9	1.2	1	0.9	0.8	0.7	0.7	0.6	0.7	0.5	0.5	0.4	0.4	0.4	0.4	0.4	0.4	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6
Wave direction	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	W	W	W	W	WSW	WNW	WNW	W	W	W	WSW	WSW	WSW	WSW	WSW	W	WNW	WNW	WNW	S	S	S	SSW	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S
Wave period (s)	12.3	12.4	12.3	12	11.9	11.9	11.8	11.7	11.9	11.6	11.5	11.3	11.2	11.2	10.8	4.6	4.7	4.5	4.8	5	5.8	5.8	4.3	5.5	5.5	5.7	5.8	5.8	5.8	5.3	5.5	6.8	6.8	6.5	11.9	11.8	13.9	14.4	14.4	14.2	14.1	13.9	14	13.8	13.7	13.6	13.6	13.5	13	12.9	12.8	12.7	12.2	12.1	11.9	11.8
Wave energy (kJ)	110	104	101	97	96	95	94	92	95	84	83	68	67	67	63	42	53	36	34	24	14	18	29	86	65	48	38	36	35	22	30	21	21	14	55	54	62	67	73	85	91	89	90	88	94	99	100	99	106	104	109	109	114	113	110	108
Wind speed (km/h)	2.2	1.5	5	11.4	15.2	13.2	5.1	3	3.1	2	1.3	11.2	16.1	14.5	3.6	2.6	5.4	1.3	1.6	11.8	15.9	15.2	4	1.3	4.7	2.1	2.5	9.4	16.2	15	3.7	3.2	4.8	4.5	4.9	8.5	14.7	12.2	4.9	2.3	4.1	4.6	3.5	8.6	14.4	13	6.1	2.1	3.2	1.8	1.8	9.4	15.5	13.4	4.8	4.4
Wind direction	WGlassy	NWGlassy	WSWCross-on	SWOnshore	WSWCross-on	WSWCross-on	WCross-on	SSWGlassy	WSWGlassy	SWGlassy	SWGlassy	SWOnshore	WSWCross-on	WCross-on	NWGlassy	NNWGlassy	SOnshore	SEGlassy	SSEGlassy	SWOnshore	WSWCross-on	WSWCross-on	NNWGlassy	SWGlassy	SGlassy	ESEGlassy	WGlassy	SWOnshore	WSWOnshore	WCross-on	WNWGlassy	SGlassy	SEGlassy	ESEGlassy	ESEGlassy	SSECross-on	SSWOnshore	SWOnshore	SSWGlassy	SEGlassy	SEGlassy	ESEGlassy	ESEGlassy	SOnshore	SSWOnshore	SWOnshore	WCross-on	WSWGlassy	SSEGlassy	SGlassy	EGlassy	SWOnshore	WSWCross-on	WCross-on	WNWGlassy	NGlassy

Staircases is a surf break in Los Angeles County, California, known for its steep, powerful waves and a challenging entry that gives the spot its name. It’s typically a more advanced break, often producing fast, hollow sections when conditions line up, and it can get crowded because of its reputation and location.

What it’s like

Wave type: Usually a reef/point-style wave with a punchy takeoff
Best for: Experienced surfers
Difficulty: Intermediate to advanced, depending on swell and tides
Crowds: Can be busy, especially on good days

Conditions

Works best with a solid swell
Often prefers clean conditions and a favorable tide
Can be powerful and unforgiving due to shallow or exposed sections

Notes

The access can involve stairs or a steep descent, which adds to the spot’s local character
Because of the wave’s shape and exposure, conditions can change quickly