Pacific Beach Surf Forecast, San Diego County, California

Live

San Diego County, California

Right nowVery Poor
1-2ft

Midday is the call — 2-3ft waves with 11mph W winds and poor conditions.

Swell
2.3ft
6s · W
Wind
10mph
W · Onshore
Water
72°F
Springsuit or none
Tide
High
rising · high 1:48 PM
Surf: nearshore model · 11 AM localWind: model · 11 AM localTide: forecast

Best window·Sunday 10AM1PM·4-5ft·Good

Registered at the buoy
Swell3.5ft @ 7s WNW
Steepness: steep

Pacific Beach 5-Day Forecast Summary

Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Pacific Beach, 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.

Thu, Sep 3: 23ft, 6s period, rated Very Poor. First light looks cleanest — 1-2ft on W swell at 5s with 10mph W winds. Things get a bit scrappier as the day goes on.

Fri, Sep 4: 23ft, 18s period, rated Poor - Fair. First light looks cleanest — 2-3ft on SSW swell at 17s with gentle ESE breeze. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 12mph from the WNW and dropping conditions to very poor.

Sat, Sep 5: 34ft, 15s period, rated Poor - Fair. Expect 2-3+ft waves early on S swell at 13s.

Sun, Sep 6: 45ft, 14s period, rated Good. Get out early for the best of it — 4-5ft waves on S swell at 14s and 7mph NNW winds. The NNW wind kicks in by afternoon — 12mph and poor - fair by then.

Mon, Sep 7: 34+ft, 13s period, rated Poor - Fair. Late morning into early afternoon looks best — 3-4+ft with moderate NW wind around 9mph. Morning is a bit bumpy but things clean up by late morning.

Daily Forecast

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Hourly Forecast

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Very Poor today — get one free email when Pacific Beach turns Good.

Forecasts here are checked against NOAA buoy San Clemente Basin (46086) 80 km away. Predictions are being recorded before each swell arrives; the predicted-vs-measured record publishes openly around September 9.How it works

Check Pacific Beach from the lineup

Forecasts, surf alerts, and live conditions in the Swell Intel iPhone app.

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Pacific Beach Surf Spot Guide

Break
Beach
Bottom
Sand
Level
Beginner
Crowd
Heavy
Best Swell
W
Best Wind
E
Season
Fall

Pacific Beach is a classic Southern California beach break with a long, sandy bottom that produces forgiving, user-friendly waves perfect for learning and progression. The spot's east-facing exposure captures west and northwest swells effectively, with the sandy substrate creating peeling walls that work across a wide range of conditions. As one of San Diego's most accessible and popular beaches, it offers consistent waves year-round but sees its best shape during fall when Pacific swells arrive with better shape and organization.

Heavy crowdsLocalismSwimmers and beachgoersRip currents during larger swells

Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.

Pacific Beach Surf Forecast FAQ

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What is the current surf forecast for Pacific Beach?

The current wave height at Pacific Beach is 1-2ft with a 5.5s swell period. Wind is W at 10mph. Conditions are rated Very Poor. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.

What is the breaking wave height at Pacific Beach?

The current breaking wave height at Pacific Beach is 1-2ft, produced by a 2.3ft W wind swell swell at 6s, a 2ft SSW secondary swell at 10s, a 1.2ft SW tertiary swell at 17s, a 1ft SSW tertiary swell at 17s. 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 Pacific Beach?

Based on the current 5-day forecast, the best window to surf Pacific Beach is Sunday from 10 AM to 1 PM with 4ft waves, a 13.8s swell period, and conditions rated Good. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.

What swell and wind direction work best at Pacific Beach?

Pacific Beach works best with a W 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.

What tide is best at Pacific Beach?

Tide plays a big role at Pacific Beach. 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.

What kind of wave is Pacific Beach and who is it for?

Pacific Beach is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. Pacific Beach is a classic Southern California beach break with a long, sandy bottom that produces forgiving, user-friendly waves perfect for learning and progression. The spot's east-facing exposure captures west and northwest swells effectively, with the sandy substrate creating peeling walls that work across a wide range of conditions. As one of San Diego's most accessible and popular beaches, it offers consistent waves year-round but sees its best shape during fall when Pacific swells arrive with better shape and organization.

When is the best season to surf Pacific Beach?

The prime season at Pacific Beach 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.

Are there any hazards to know about at Pacific Beach?

Common hazards at Pacific Beach include heavy crowds, localism, swimmers and beachgoers, rip currents during larger swells. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.

How accurate is the Pacific Beach surf forecast?

Our Pacific Beach 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. We also verify our offshore swell predictions against NOAA buoy measurements daily — see our accuracy page for those swell-verification metrics (buoys measure open-water swell, not breaking surf size).