Surf in San Diego today
San Diego County, California · 22 spots ranked
Scripps is the best choice in San Diego today: overhead, 15-second swell, light offshore wind, rated fair to good.Torrey Pines State Beach is close behind.
Tomorrow, Tuesday 3 November
PB Point is the best choice in San Diego tomorrow: overhead, 18-second swell, light offshore wind, rated fair to good.Swami's is close behind.
Surfing in San Diego
San Diego's coast runs forty miles from Oceanside to the border and faces almost due west, so the whole county takes the same swell - but not the same way. The reefs of Encinitas and La Jolla (Swami's, Cardiff, Windansea) need a long-period north-west or south swell to stand up; Blacks focuses anything through its canyon into the heaviest beach break in the county; the beach breaks of Pacific Beach, Mission Beach and Ocean Beach take whatever comes and are where the city learns.
On most days the difference between a good session and a wasted one is which of those to drive to. This page ranks the county's named spots from today's and tomorrow's forecast, using the same model as the app.
Where should a beginner surf in San Diego?
La Jolla Shores - a gently sloping sandy beach with surf schools and a lifeguard tower, protected from most of the county's power. Pacific Beach and Tourmaline are the next step, and Tourmaline is the longboard beach where nobody minds a learner.
Blacks is for experienced surfers only: a long trail down, strong rips, and waves that are far bigger than the rest of the county. Windansea and Sunset Cliffs break over rock.
When is the best time to surf San Diego?
Autumn through winter - October to March - brings north-west groundswell and the best conditions at the reefs and at Blacks, with offshore Santa Ana mornings. Summer south swells favour the beach breaks and Cardiff; the water is warmest in August and September. Spring is the windiest and least reliable season.
Common questions
Where should a beginner surf in San Diego?
La Jolla Shores, then Tourmaline or Pacific Beach. All sand, all with schools, none with the county's heavier waves.
Is Blacks good today?
The table above says. Blacks needs size and a long period, and is only worth the trail down when it is rated good or better.
When is the best time of year to surf San Diego?
October to March for groundswell and offshore mornings. Summer for warm water and gentler south swell at the beach breaks.
What tide is best in San Diego?
It varies by spot. The reefs - Swami's, Cardiff, Windansea - are better with more water; the beach breaks are more forgiving of tide.
Is the surf better in North County or the city?
North County has the reefs and more consistent shape; the city beaches are more accessible and gentler. On a big day North County; on a small summer day the city.