Northern California
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Pacifica Pier, Northern 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: 9–10ft, 9s period, rated Poor. Slim pickings today — 10-11ft and poor with 19mph NW winds. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 25mph.
Sun, May 17: 9–10ft, 11s period, rated Poor. Get out early for the best of it — 11-12ft waves on SSW swell at 14s and 13mph NW winds. The NW wind kicks in by afternoon — 21mph and poor by then.
Mon, May 18: 5–6ft, 11s period, rated Poor - Fair. Dawn patrol is the move — 7-8ft on WNW swell at 10s with 17mph out of the N. Things get a bit scrappier as the day goes on.
Tue, May 19: 6–7ft, 15s period, rated Fair. Aim for the middle of the day — 6-7ft on WNW swell at 10s with gentle ENE breeze. Morning is a bit bumpy but things clean up by late morning. Don't wait too long — the wind comes back up after lunch.
Wed, May 20: 5–6ft, 15s period, rated Fair. Aim for the middle of the day — 5-6ft on WNW swell at 9s with gentle SSW breeze. Morning is a bit bumpy but things clean up by late morning. Don't wait too long — the wind comes back up after lunch.
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Pacifica Pier is a mellow beach break located just south of San Francisco, offering consistent, peeling waves that are perfect for learning surfers and those looking for an easy session. The sandy bottom provides a forgiving surface, and the pier itself creates some interesting channeling effects that can help organize swell during smaller days. The spot works best during fall and winter when larger Pacific swells arrive, though it's accessible year-round due to its protected position on the northern California coast.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Pacifica Pier is 8-10ft with a 9.4s swell period. Wind is NW at 18mph and conditions are rated Poor. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
The current breaking wave height at Pacifica Pier is 8-10ft, produced by a 1.5ft W primary swell at 15s, a 1.3ft SSW secondary swell at 14s, a 0.9ft SSW tertiary swell at 16s, a 9.9ft WNW wind swell swell at 9s. 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 Pacifica Pier is Tuesday from 7 AM to 10 AM with 7ft waves, a 9.7s swell period, and conditions rated Very Good. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Pacifica Pier 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.
Tide plays a big role at Pacifica Pier. 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.
Pacifica Pier is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. Pacifica Pier is a mellow beach break located just south of San Francisco, offering consistent, peeling waves that are perfect for learning surfers and those looking for an easy session. The sandy bottom provides a forgiving surface, and the pier itself creates some interesting channeling effects that can help organize swell during smaller days. The spot works best during fall and winter when larger Pacific swells arrive, though it's accessible year-round due to its protected position on the northern California coast.
The prime season at Pacifica Pier 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 Pacifica Pier include pier pilings, occasional rip currents, fog, cold water. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Pacifica Pier 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.
