Orange County, California
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Aliso Creek, Orange County, California. Each day is rated based on breaking wave height, swell period, and wind — updated hourly from the latest NOAA GFS run.
Sat, May 16: 3–4ft, 15s period, rated Fair. Dawn patrol is the move — 3-4ft on SSW swell at 13s with calm winds. The SW wind kicks in by afternoon — 9mph and poor - fair by then.
Sun, May 17: 3–4ft, 15s period, rated Poor - Fair. Pretty quiet out there — 3-4ft and mostly poor - fair with 12mph SE winds.
Mon, May 18: 3–4ft, 16s period, rated Poor - Fair. First light looks cleanest — 3-4ft on W swell at 8s with 8mph from the SE. It gets a bit messier later in the day.
Tue, May 19: 2–3ft, 16s period, rated Fair. Get out early for the best of it — 2-3ft waves on WSW swell at 7s and glassy conditions. The SW wind kicks in by afternoon — 9mph and poor - fair by then.
Wed, May 20: 2–3ft, 14s period, rated Poor - Fair. Early morning is your best window — 2-3ft waves on S swell at 13s with glassy conditions. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 8mph from the SW and dropping conditions to poor - fair.
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Aliso Creek is a sandy beach break in Laguna Beach that offers mellow, forgiving waves ideal for learning and progression. The beach's protected cove setup creates consistent peaks during Southern Hemisphere swells, with the creek mouth adding a unique freshwater character to the lineup. The gentle slopes and sandy bottom make it a welcoming spot for surfers of all levels looking to escape the more crowded Orange County breaks nearby.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Aliso Creek is 3-4ft with a 15.35s swell period. Wind is SW at 1mph and conditions are rated Fair. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
The current breaking wave height at Aliso Creek is 3-4ft, produced by a 1.5ft SSW primary swell at 13s, a 1ft W secondary swell at 10s, a 1ft S tertiary swell at 16s. 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.
Based on the current 5-day forecast, the best window to surf Aliso Creek is Saturday from 8 AM to 11 AM with 4ft waves, a 15.2s swell period, and conditions rated Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Aliso Creek works best with a S swell and NE winds. Offshore winds groom the face of the wave, while onshore winds turn it sloppy. Cross-offshore conditions usually produce the cleanest shape.
Tide plays a big role at Aliso Creek. Mid tide works for most beach breaks, while reef and point breaks often prefer higher or lower stages. Use the tide chart above to line up your session with the swell peak.
Aliso Creek is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. Aliso Creek is a sandy beach break in Laguna Beach that offers mellow, forgiving waves ideal for learning and progression. The beach's protected cove setup creates consistent peaks during Southern Hemisphere swells, with the creek mouth adding a unique freshwater character to the lineup. The gentle slopes and sandy bottom make it a welcoming spot for surfers of all levels looking to escape the more crowded Orange County breaks nearby.
The prime season at Aliso Creek is fall, when swell direction, wind patterns, and water temps line up most consistently. Outside the peak season you can still score, but you'll need to watch the forecast closely for the right windows.
Common hazards at Aliso Creek include creek currents, occasional rip currents. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Aliso Creek 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. See the forecast accuracy card above for per-spot and regional performance metrics.
