San Elijo State Beach Surf Forecast, San Diego County, California
San Diego County, California
Current Conditions
Very PoorWave Height
0-1ft
flat to ankle high
Swell Period
14.4s
Wind
8mph
S / Gusts 14mph
Conditions
Very Poor
Active Swells
Primary
1.0ft @ 3sS
Secondary
1.0ft @ 11sSSW
Tertiary
0.7ft @ 14sSW
Nearest Webcam
Daily Forecast
3 of 5 daysTue, Mar 310-1ft
Very Poor6am9am12pm3pm
Wed, Apr 11-2ft
Very PoorSlim pickings today — 0-1ft and very poor with gentle SW breeze.
6am9am12pm3pm
12s SSW|4-8mph SSE
Thu, Apr 22-3ft
PoorSkip the dawn patrol — 1-2ft and poor early on. Things come together by the afternoon with 2-3ft at fair.
6am9am12pm3pm
4s W|3-7mph ENE
3ft
Swell building Fri, Apr 3Fair
8s period — conditions are improving beyond your forecast
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San Elijo State Beach Surf Spot Guide
Break
Beach
Bottom
Sand
Level
Beginner
Crowd
Moderate
Best Swell
SW
Best Wind
E
Season
Fall
San Elijo State Beach offers mellow beach breaks along the campground bluffs in Cardiff, with sandy bottom peaks that are forgiving for learners. Sandwiched between the reef breaks at Seaside and Cardiff Reef, this stretch catches S and SW swells and provides a less intimidating option for developing surfers.
Occasional rip currentsRocky patches at reef transitions
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
San Elijo State Beach Surf Forecast FAQ
What is the current surf forecast for San Elijo State Beach?
The current wave height at San Elijo State Beach is 0-1ft with a 14.4s swell period. Wind is S at 8mph. Conditions are rated Very Poor.
How accurate is the San Elijo State Beach surf forecast?
Our San Elijo 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.
What is the breaking wave height at San Elijo State Beach?
The current breaking wave height at San Elijo State Beach is 0-1ft, produced by a 1ft S primary swell at 3s, a 1ft SSW secondary swell at 11s, a 0.7ft SW tertiary swell at 14s. 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 Elijo State Beach?
Based on the current 5-day forecast, the best window to surf San Elijo State Beach is Thursday from 11 AM to 2 PM with 4ft waves, a 12.6s swell period, and conditions rated Fair - Good. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.