72nd Place Surf Forecast, Orange County, California
Orange County, California
Current Conditions
Very PoorWave Height
0-1ft
flat to ankle high
Swell Period
10.95s
Wind
10mph
SSW / Gusts 16mph
Conditions
Very Poor
Active Swells
Primary
0.7ft @ 11sSSW
Secondary
0.5ft @ 3sSSE
Tertiary
0.4ft @ 14sSW
Wind Swell
0.5ft @ 2sWSW
Nearest Webcam
Daily Forecast
3 of 5 daysTue, Mar 310-1ft
Very Poor6am9am12pm3pm
Wed, Apr 10-1ft
Very PoorSlim pickings today — 0-1ft and very poor with light NNW winds.
6am9am12pm3pm
9s SSW|5-6mph W
Thu, Apr 22-3ft
PoorSlim pickings today — 0-1ft and poor with light WNW winds.
6am9am12pm3pm
9s SSW|6-8mph WNW
Forecast Charts
72nd Place Surf Spot Guide
Break
Beach
Bottom
Sand
Level
Beginner
Crowd
Moderate
Best Swell
SSW
Best Wind
NE
Season
Fall
72nd Place is a mellow beach break in Huntington Beach that offers forgiving, rolling waves perfect for surfers building their skills. The consistent sandy bottom provides a safe learning environment with gradually sloping banks that produce soft, mushy waves ideal for beginners and cruisy intermediate sessions. This spot catches swell from the south and southwest while benefiting from offshore northeast winds during morning sessions, making it a reliable choice for accessible surfing in Orange County.
Crowded during peak hoursLocalism
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
72nd Place Surf Forecast FAQ
What is the current surf forecast for 72nd Place?
The current wave height at 72nd Place is 0-1ft with a 10.95s swell period. Wind is SSW at 10mph. Conditions are rated Very Poor.
How accurate is the 72nd Place surf forecast?
Our 72nd Place forecast uses NOAA GFS and other weather models combined with spot-specific bathymetry to calculate breaking wave heights. Short-range (1-3 day) forecasts are most reliable. Extended forecasts show general trends.
What is the breaking wave height at 72nd Place?
The current breaking wave height at 72nd Place is 0-1ft, produced by a 0.7ft SSW primary swell at 11s, a 0.5ft SSE secondary swell at 3s, a 0.4ft SW tertiary swell at 14s, a 0.5ft WSW wind swell swell at 2s. Breaking wave height is the actual rideable wave size at the shore — calculated from offshore swell data using this spot's coastal bathymetry — not the raw buoy reading.
When is the best time to surf 72nd Place?
Based on the current 5-day forecast, the best window to surf 72nd Place is Thursday from 9 AM to 12 PM with 2ft waves, a 5.55s swell period, and conditions rated Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.