San Diego County, California
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Scripps Pier/La Jolla, 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.
Sat, May 16: 2–3ft, 15s period, rated Fair. Early morning is your best window — 2-3ft waves on WSW swell at 11s with light winds out of the SSE. The WSW wind kicks in by afternoon — 10mph and poor - fair by then.
Sun, May 17: 3–4ft, 14s period, rated Poor - Fair. Get out early for the best of it — 3-4ft waves on W swell at 9s and 11mph from the SSE. Things get a bit scrappier as the day goes on.
Mon, May 18: 3–4ft, 13s period, rated Poor - Fair. Dawn patrol is the move — 3-4ft on W swell at 8s with 8mph SSE winds. Onshore flow builds through the day to 12mph, bringing conditions down to poor - fair.
Tue, May 19: 1–2ft, 14s period, rated Poor. Slim pickings today — 1-2ft and poor with calm winds. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 10mph.
Wed, May 20: 1–2ft, 14s period, rated Poor. A slow one — 1-2ft waves and poor conditions with light winds out of the NW. Expect the wind to bump up to around 9mph by PM.
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Scripps Pier in La Jolla offers accessible beach break waves in a scenic rocky cove setting, with the iconic pier providing a reference point and some protection from larger swells. The sandy bottom and gentle slopes make this a friendly option for learning, though conditions can be inconsistent due to the sheltered nature of the bay. This spot works best during autumn south-southwest swells combined with offshore northwest winds that clean up the face.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Scripps Pier/La Jolla is 2-3ft with a 15.2s swell period. Wind is S at 4mph 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 Scripps Pier/La Jolla is 2-3ft, produced by a 1.7ft SSW primary swell at 13s, a 1.6ft W secondary swell at 10s, a 0.7ft 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.
Based on the current 5-day forecast, the best window to surf Scripps Pier/La Jolla is Monday from 9 AM to 12 PM with 4ft waves, a 12.6s swell period, and conditions rated Fair - Good. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Scripps Pier/La Jolla works best with a SSW 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 Scripps Pier/La Jolla. 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.
Scripps Pier/La Jolla is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. Scripps Pier in La Jolla offers accessible beach break waves in a scenic rocky cove setting, with the iconic pier providing a reference point and some protection from larger swells. The sandy bottom and gentle slopes make this a friendly option for learning, though conditions can be inconsistent due to the sheltered nature of the bay. This spot works best during autumn south-southwest swells combined with offshore northwest winds that clean up the face.
The prime season at Scripps Pier/La Jolla 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 Scripps Pier/La Jolla include rocks, pier pilings, variable currents, crowded during summer. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Scripps Pier/La Jolla 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.
