San Clemente State Beach Surf Forecast, San Diego County, California

Live

San Diego County, California

Right nowPoor
1-2ft

Midday is the call — 1-2ft waves with 7mph from the SW and poor conditions.

Swell
2.0ft
6s · W
Wind
6mph
SSW · Onshore
Water
75°F
Boardshorts / rashguard
Tide
High
rising · high 1:37 PM
Surf: nearshore model · 12 PM localWind: model · 12 PM localTide: forecast

Best window·Sunday 2PM5PM·5-6ft·Good

Registered at the buoy
Swell2.5ft @ 6s W
Groundswell1.8ft @ 13s SSW
Steepness: steep

San Clemente State Beach 5-Day Forecast Summary

Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at San Clemente State 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: 12ft, 11s period, rated Poor. Early morning is your best window — 1-2ft waves on SSW swell at 11s with gentle SSW breeze. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 10mph from the WSW and dropping conditions to very poor.

Fri, Sep 4: 23ft, 18s period, rated Poor - Fair. A slow one — 2-3ft waves and poor - fair conditions with light winds out of the ENE.

Sat, Sep 5: 34ft, 15s period, rated Fair. 2-3ft waves to start the day on S swell at 13s.

Sun, Sep 6: 56ft, 14s period, rated Good. Early morning is your best window — 5-6ft waves on S swell at 14s with gentle NW breeze. Things get a bit scrappier as the day goes on.

Mon, Sep 7: 45ft, 13s period, rated Poor. Get out early for the best of it — 4-5ft waves on S swell at 13s and light WNW winds. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 11mph from the W and dropping conditions to poor.

Daily Forecast

Try free
to unlock
7 days free · no card
Locked
Locked

Hourly Forecast

Two days at a glance. Swipe for later hours.

Poor today — get one free email when San Clemente State Beach turns Good.

Check San Clemente State Beach from the lineup

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

Get the app

San Clemente State Beach Surf Spot Guide

Break
Beach
Bottom
Sand
Level
Beginner
Crowd
Moderate
Best Swell
SW
Best Wind
NE
Season
Fall

San Clemente State Beach is a sandy beach break just north of the Trestles complex, offering mellow waves for beginners and intermediates. The campground bluffs provide easy access to a stretch of coast that picks up S and SW swells well. A more relaxed alternative to the high-performance lineup at Trestles to the south.

ShorebreakOccasional rip currentsRocky sections

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

San Clemente State Beach Surf Forecast FAQ

(9)

What is the current surf forecast for San Clemente State Beach?

The current wave height at San Clemente State Beach is 1-2ft with a 5.5s swell period. Wind is SSW at 6mph. Conditions are rated Poor. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.

What is the breaking wave height at San Clemente State Beach?

The current breaking wave height at San Clemente State Beach is 1-2ft, produced by a 2ft W wind swell swell at 6s, a 2ft SSW secondary swell at 10s, a 1.2ft 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.

When is the best time to surf San Clemente State Beach?

Based on the current 5-day forecast, the best window to surf San Clemente State Beach is Sunday from 2 PM to 5 PM with 5ft waves, a 13.6s swell period, and conditions rated Good. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.

What swell and wind direction work best at San Clemente State Beach?

San Clemente State Beach works best with a SW 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.

What tide is best at San Clemente State Beach?

Tide plays a big role at San Clemente State 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 San Clemente State Beach and who is it for?

San Clemente State Beach is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. San Clemente State Beach is a sandy beach break just north of the Trestles complex, offering mellow waves for beginners and intermediates. The campground bluffs provide easy access to a stretch of coast that picks up S and SW swells well. A more relaxed alternative to the high-performance lineup at Trestles to the south.

When is the best season to surf San Clemente State Beach?

The prime season at San Clemente State 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 San Clemente State Beach?

Common hazards at San Clemente State Beach include shorebreak, occasional rip currents, rocky sections. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.

How accurate is the San Clemente State Beach surf forecast?

Our San Clemente State 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).