San Diego County, California
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Beacons, San Diego 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: 2–3ft, 15s period, rated Poor - Fair. Get out early for the best of it — 2-3ft waves on SSW swell at 13s and light winds out of the S. Onshore flow builds through the day to 10mph, bringing conditions down to poor - fair.
Sun, May 17: 2–3ft, 14s period, rated Poor - Fair. Dawn patrol is the move — 2-3ft on W swell at 8s with 11mph SSE winds. It gets a bit messier later in the day.
Mon, May 18: 2–3ft, 13s period, rated Poor - Fair. Late morning into early afternoon looks best — 2-3ft with light winds out of the SSW. Morning is a bit bumpy but things clean up by late morning. Don't wait too long — the wind comes back up after lunch.
Tue, May 19: 1–2ft, 15s period, rated Poor. A slow one — 1-2ft waves and poor conditions with calm winds. Afternoon breeze fills in to 11mph.
Wed, May 20: 1–2ft, 14s period, rated Poor. Slim pickings today — 1-2ft and poor with barely a breath of wind. Afternoon breeze fills in to 9mph.
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Beacons is a mellow beach break located in San Diego County that offers accessible, rolling waves ideal for beginners and intermediate surfers. The sandy bottom provides a forgiving surface and the ENE-facing beach orientation captures most Pacific swells while remaining protected from westerly winds. This spot works best during fall and winter swells when Southern California sees consistent energy, making it a reliable local favorite for progression and fun sessions.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Beacons is 2-3ft with a 15.2s swell period. Wind is SSW at 5mph 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 Beacons is 2-3ft, produced by a 1.7ft SSW primary swell at 13s, a 1.4ft W secondary swell at 10s, a 0.7ft SSW 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 Beacons is Monday from 8 AM to 11 AM with 3ft waves, a 12.65s swell period, and conditions rated Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Beacons works best with a SW swell and E 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 Beacons. 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.
Beacons is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. Beacons is a mellow beach break located in San Diego County that offers accessible, rolling waves ideal for beginners and intermediate surfers. The sandy bottom provides a forgiving surface and the ENE-facing beach orientation captures most Pacific swells while remaining protected from westerly winds. This spot works best during fall and winter swells when Southern California sees consistent energy, making it a reliable local favorite for progression and fun sessions.
The prime season at Beacons 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.
Every surf spot has its own hazards — rocks, rip currents, crowds, marine life, or changing tides. Before paddling out at Beacons, watch the break for 10–15 minutes, talk to locals when you can, and never surf beyond your ability level.
Our Beacons 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.
