Dawn patrol surfing in Torrance

Torrance, California

Sunrise and first light times for planning your dawn patrol session.

First light in Torrance means glass, empty peaks, and the best conditions of the day before thermal onshores build. These 1 spots are worth the 5am alarm.

Sunrise

7:01 AM
First Light: 6:31 AM

Day length: 11h 18m

-2 min vs yesterday

Sunrise

7:01 AM

First light: 6:31 AM

Sunset

6:18 PM

Last light: 6:48 PM

Data from Torrance Beach (RAT Beach) · Updated daily

7-Day Sun Schedule

Today(Today)

Sunrise

7:01 AM

Sunset

6:18 PM

Day Length

11h 18m

Tomorrow

Sunrise

7:01 AM

Sunset

6:17 PM

Day Length

11h 16m

Mon, Oct 19

Sunrise

7:02 AM

Sunset

6:16 PM

Day Length

11h 14m

Tue, Oct 20

Sunrise

7:03 AM

Sunset

6:15 PM

Day Length

11h 12m

Best dawn patrol spots in Torrance

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Featured Beaches(1)

Torrance Beach (RAT Beach)

Beginner friendly

RAT Beach is a hidden gem at the south end of the Strand bike path.

Dawn patrol access guide for Torrance

Parking and access info for early morning sessions before sunrise.

Torrance Beach (RAT Beach)
beach
beginner

RAT Beach is a hidden gem at the south end of the Strand bike path.

Early access

Access through official beach paths and keep beginners in the open sandy sections.

Parking

Use Torrance beach parking and plan for the hill/stairs logistics.

Dawn patrol tips

  • Glassy morning conditions before onshore winds
  • Less crowded lineups at sunrise
  • East-facing beaches for sunrise views
  • Spots with easy parking for early arrivals

Surf Guides for Torrance

Conditions

Dawn Patrol
You're here
Sunset Sessions
Evening golden hour spots
Tide Windows
Optimal tidal conditions
Water Temperature
Conditions & wetsuit guide

Style

Beginner Spots
Gentle waves for learning
Longboard Spots
Mellow waves for logging

Frequently Asked Questions

About surfing in Torrance

Dawn patrol in Torrance typically starts at first light, around 30 minutes before sunrise. This gives you the glassiest conditions before onshore winds develop.
Early morning offers glassy conditions, fewer crowds, and calmer winds. Water temperature is also warmer relative to air temperature at sunrise.

Check it, surf it, log it

Check the forecast, surf the session, log what happened — and build the record you'll compare every next call against.

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