Cerritos is a right-hand point on the Pacific side of the Baja Peninsula, about 45 minutes north of Cabo San Lucas near the village of Todos Santos. Officially it's Santa Lucia de Los Cerritos, but almost everyone just calls it Cerritos.
Overview
The headland at the north end of the beach is the main event: a right that wraps around the point and gets genuinely fun and rippable once it links up with the section farther inside. It's not a hollow, world-class point, and neighboring Pedrito is arguably a touch better on its day, but the variety of waves on offer and the beach itself make Cerritos a spot worth planning around. The water is clean, and the whole stretch is being developed with condos, hotels and golf courses.
When It Works
The wave breaks over uneven reef and takes swell from south through west-southwest to northwest, with northwest (NW) the direction that really switches the point on. A big wintertime west or northwest is when the right off the headland comes to life. South swells set up peaks in the lee of the headland instead, and combo or wind swells tend to light the whole beach up in a run of fun peaks, which spreads people out nicely. It's usable from 0.6 m / 2 ft to 3 m / 10 ft and it's a consistent spot that has something on offer year-round. The beach peaks are approachable when it's small, but they pack a punch once it gets overhead.
Wind and Tide
Look for a northeast (NE) offshore. Even when the afternoon northwest onshores fill in, the headland keeps Cerritos slightly protected, which is a big part of the appeal. It works through most of the tide, with a rising tide generally the better call. Low tide steepens things up and makes the wave faster.
Local Tips
This one suits just about any board: shortboards, funboards, longboards, fish and bodyboards all get used here, and longboarders in particular love it. Beginners can find something on the beach peaks when it's small. Expect a busy lineup, especially in the afternoons when everyone shifts here to duck the northwest wind, and doubly so over holidays. The atmosphere is somewhat reserved, and with plenty of beginners in the water there's often some traffic to navigate.
Access
Park right at the beach; parking is free. There are restrooms, camping and a surf school on hand, and Cerritos Beach Club and Surf has rentals and food if you turn up without gear.
