Northern California
Best window·Wednesday 6AM–9AM·7ft·Fair
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.
Tue, Jun 30: 6–7ft, 10s period, rated Very Poor. Dawn patrol is the move — 7-8ft on WNW swell at 10s with calm winds. The WSW wind kicks in by afternoon — 19mph and very poor by then.
Wed, Jul 1: 7–8ft, 10s period, rated Very Poor. Dawn patrol is the move — 7-8ft on WNW swell at 10s with moderate SW wind around 12mph. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 18mph from the WSW and dropping conditions to very poor.
Thu, Jul 2: 5–6ft, 16s period, rated Poor - Fair. Early morning is your best window — 6-7ft waves on WNW swell at 9s with 10mph SSW winds. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 16mph from the WSW and dropping conditions to very poor.
Fri, Jul 3: 3–5ft, 17s period, rated Fair. Get out early for the best of it — 3-5ft waves on WNW swell at 8s and gentle S breeze. The WSW wind kicks in by afternoon — 12mph and poor - fair by then.
Sat, Jul 4: 3–5ft, 17s period, rated Poor - Fair. Early morning is your best window — 3-5ft waves on WNW swell at 7s with light winds out of the SSW. The WSW wind kicks in by afternoon — 12mph and poor - fair by then.
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 5-7ft with a 9.8s swell period. Wind is SW at 14mph and conditions are rated Poor - Fair. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
The current breaking wave height at Pacifica Pier is 5-7ft, produced by a 4.9ft WNW primary swell at 10s, a 1.1ft SSW secondary swell at 14s, a 0.7ft SW tertiary swell at 19s. 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 Wednesday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 7ft waves, a 9.7s swell period, and conditions rated Fair. 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. Visit /public/accuracy for per-spot and regional performance metrics.
