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Surf Check - The Inside Scoop
Ready to surf San Diego-style? Check out some of our local tips and information to help you get into the swing of things effortlessly.
Swell Seasons
The biggest swells usually come out of the North from December thru February, generated by winter storms in Alaska. The spring months, from March thru May, are inconsistent and unpredictable; the conditions can be glorious one day and miserable the next. In June and July the water begins to warm and south swells begin to arrive. Periods of absolute flatness alternate with playful, head-high surf. Generally speaking, San Diego's best surf season is August thru November. In late summer and early fall, big, orderly south swells combine with Santa Ana winds to produce beautiful offshore walls and barrels. October and November are transitional months; the water temperature dips as swell arrives from the west, but light winds and clean conditions typically prevail and there's almost always something solid to ride.
The Ultimate Session
At any time of year, the best advice is to check the current surf report to see if there's any swell in the water and which direction it's coming from. Tides can change as much as eight feet in San Diego, and have a huge impact on the surf. Some of the La Jolla reef breaks go totally dry at low tide, for example, while others crash right on shore when the tide is too high. Forecasters can predict surf conditions up to a week in advance, and provide other important data about wind and weather conditions. Free surf reports and live webcams can be found online, and local radio and TV news stations provide daily reports.
Surface conditions are often (but not always) cleanest during an early morning "dawn patrol" session, but crowds are usually at their lightest during midday, mid-week work hours. Also, consider the trade off between catching two or three great waves at a crowded marquis spot, or dozens of okay ones at someplace less popular. If your visit to San Diego is a short one, you can maximize your water time by planning to surf where you stay, or by staying where you plan to surf.
Equipment
Your favorite shortboard, hybrid or fish is a good choice for most of the surf you'll encounter in San Diego, ideally something with a pulled-in tail for the hollower reefs, or a fat one for the mushier beaches. A longboard comes in handy to take advantage of our many small but clean days, and serious wave hunters may want to add a gun to their quiver, especially if you're visiting during swell season, when stand-out spots like La Jolla Cove and Sunset Cliffs can get well overhead.
Full wetsuits are the call from November thru April, a springsuit or jacket does the job in the transtitional months of May and October, and warm-blooded souls are usually content with no more than a bathing suit from June thru September. It's not hard to find surf shops that will rent you a boogie board or softie style surfboard, but if you're accustomed to high-performance gear, you'll want to bring it with you or buy it upon arrival. Boardshorts and bikinis, leashes, wax and other accessories are all readily available up and down the San Diego Coast.
Water Hazards
It goes without saying that surfing requires being a competent swimmer, but new surfers often underestimate the power of waves and the currents that accompany them. The only other notable hazards are stingrays, prevalent at beach breaks during the summer months, but usually avoidable by shuffling your feet as you walk along the bottom. The bigger the waves, the greater the risks. Know your limits and, when in doubt, choose an area with active lifeguard supervision.
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San Diego Surf Scene
