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L.A.'s little-known premier big-wave spot. Also home of the most notorious localism the city has to offer. There have been threats, slashed tires, rocks thrown, fist fights and even drive-by noogies. Clashes with outsiders during the '90s were brought to national attention when a TV news crew and others were harassed and assaulted. Lawsuits ensued, and now the area is closely watched by the Palos Verdes sheriff. Behind all that is a big-wave spot that's on a scale with small Todos Santos or Sunset Beach in Hawaii. Takes north and west winter swells up to 20 feet and pitches a beautiful walled right that takes you through a boiling boulder-riddled lineup. With more north in the swell, a few daredevils will raise the stakes by taking off at a spot called Truck Drivers, a few hundred yards behind the main peak. Another lovely facet is the rip -- on large swells it pulls you toward the pocket and the rocks. The place really doesn't wake up till 6 feet and over, and at that size, the alpha males are out in force. To their credit, the local crew has kept alive the old surfing tradition of cute nicknames, such as "Knothead," "T-Bone" and "Goober." So, if you paddle out, and someone yells, "Hey, Dickwad," consider yourself in! Most surfers in the area seem to avoid the hassle of surfing here, but the few who have infiltrated recommend a late morning weekday -- after the guards have gone off to watch "Teletubbies". Please direct all fan mail to: Surfline.com, c/o PV Police Dept., 340 Palos Verdes Drive West, Palos Verdes Estates, CA 90274.
-- jaz kaner
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medium to high
WSW, W, WNW (medium to long period swells over 14sec are best)
6 to 20 feet
SE, E, NE
8
rock reef
advanced
big gun, video camera, attorney
winter
off Paseo Lunado and down the cliff
"Hey, how come hardly anyone's out there?"
open arms (nuclear)
7 to 9
4
Drowning, getting pushed into the rocks, walking down the trail with locals throwing rocks down on you. Oh yeah...the local police don't seem to care.
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Once you leave Torrance, there's not much until you get to a few places in the small shopping centers past Lunada or farther into San Pedro. There's upscale dining passed Lunada near Point Vicente on Palos Verdes Drive West at Hawthorne at Admiral Risty (310-377-0050).
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The Palos Verdes area is more upscale residential than tourist friendly, so short of crashing at T-Bone's pad, the only motels are back in Torrance or around at the Long Beach side in San Pedro.
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The PV peninsula, with all its inaccessible coves, is a great place to explore with a kayak. Cabrillo/San Pedro is the best windsurfing in L.A. -- rentals are available in San Pedro at Captain Kirk's (310-833-3397). In the Portuguese Bend area is Abalone Cove, a great park to take the kids exploring tide pools. If the tide is too high, hike through the small nearby canyon. Farther east in Cabrillo is the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, or head toward downtown Long Beach to see the Queen Elizabeth II, the convention center and aquarium.
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