Orange County, California
Best window·Friday 6AM–9AM·4ft·Fair - Good
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at San Clemente Pier, Orange County, 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: 3–5ft, 18s period, rated Fair. Get out early for the best of it — 3-5ft waves on SSW swell at 14s and barely a breath of wind. Onshore flow builds through the day to 11mph, bringing conditions down to poor - fair.
Wed, Jul 1: 3–5ft, 18s period, rated Fair. Get out early for the best of it — 3-5ft waves on SSW swell at 14s and gentle SSW breeze. The W wind kicks in by afternoon — 9mph and poor - fair by then.
Thu, Jul 2: 4–6ft, 18s period, rated Poor - Fair. Dawn patrol is the move — 3-5ft on SSW swell at 16s with barely a breath of wind. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 10mph from the W and dropping conditions to poor - fair.
Fri, Jul 3: 3–5ft, 18s period, rated Poor - Fair. Get out early for the best of it — 3-5ft waves on SSW swell at 17s and glassy conditions. The WSW wind kicks in by afternoon — 8mph and poor - fair by then.
Sat, Jul 4: 3–5ft, 16s period, rated Poor - Fair. First light looks cleanest — 3-5ft on SSW swell at 15s with barely a breath of wind. The W wind kicks in by afternoon — 11mph and poor - fair by then.
San Clemente Pier is a classic Southern California beach break that works best during fall and winter swells, offering forgiving waves ideal for learners and intermediate surfers. The sandy bottom and pier structure create a fun, mellow environment where waves peel predictably along the beach, with the pier serving as a natural landmark for paddling out. The exposure to southerly swells combined with northwest offshore winds makes this a reliable spot when conditions align, attracting a steady mix of locals and visitors throughout the year.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at San Clemente Pier is 3-4ft with a 14.05s swell period. Wind is SW at 6mph 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 San Clemente Pier is 3-4ft, produced by a 1.4ft SSW primary swell at 14s, a 1ft WSW secondary swell at 5s, a 0.8ft S tertiary swell at 10s. 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 San Clemente Pier is Friday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 4ft waves, a 16.5s swell period, and conditions rated Fair - Good. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
San Clemente Pier 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 San Clemente 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.
San Clemente Pier is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. San Clemente Pier is a classic Southern California beach break that works best during fall and winter swells, offering forgiving waves ideal for learners and intermediate surfers. The sandy bottom and pier structure create a fun, mellow environment where waves peel predictably along the beach, with the pier serving as a natural landmark for paddling out. The exposure to southerly swells combined with northwest offshore winds makes this a reliable spot when conditions align, attracting a steady mix of locals and visitors throughout the year.
The prime season at San Clemente 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 San Clemente Pier include pier pilings, crowds during peak season, rip currents near pier structure. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our San Clemente 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.
