Californias Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Looking at the outlook for Californias, it’s a pretty ordinary run for the next two and a half weeks. There’s a big gap of nothing worthwhile before we finally get a little window, but even then, it’s far from perfect. The water temp is sitting at a very average 83°, nothing unusual for the time of year.

We kick off Thursday September 3rd with a risk of thunderstorms, 19 mph cross-winds from the NW and only 5ft of short-period east swell. It’s a messy, moderate cross-shore chop without any punch – not worth paddling out. Friday the 4th is worse, with onshore and cross-onshore winds, tiny swell, and again poor conditions all day. Saturday the 5th is a write-off with moderate cross-onshore winds and lumpy surf in the morning. The afternoon cleans up a little with a light cross-off breeze, but the swell is tiny at 3ft – barely a ripple.

Sunday the 6th is the only real standout in the first week. Sunday morning brings clear skies and a clean 5ft north swell with a moderate offshore breeze from the NE. The period at 9 seconds gives it a bit of shape, and the wave energy is moderate (397). It’s a decent chance for a few fun ones, though it’s a break that’s fairly consistent and usually has a crowd. If you can get out early, it’s the best of a weak bunch. Sunday afternoon drops off a touch but stays clean.

Then we hit a dead zone. From Monday the 7th right through to Friday the 11th, it’s all clean but gutless – short-period swell under 5ft, low energy, and cross-off winds. These are poor surf conditions despite the tidy look. Saturday the 12th is a joke – only 1ft of east groundswell at a very long 14-second period, with weak energy (60). That’s barely a ripple, even offshore.

We get a slight lift from Sunday the 13th to Tuesday the 15th, with chest-high east swell around 4ft, offshore breezes, and moderate energy (around 184 to 263). The comment says surfable but very ordinary, and honestly, that’s the truth. It’s clean, but nothing to get excited about.

Wednesday the 16th afternoon is the second notable moment. We see an 8ft east swell at 10 seconds, with a very strong combined energy of 1327. That’s serious power, but with a clean cross-off breeze, it’s only for experts – this is too big for most. The period is medium, so it’ll wall up at this reef break, but it’s marginal due to tide or conditions. If you’re experienced and hungry, it might be worth a look.

After that, from Thursday the 17th onward, it’s back to tiny swells, light cross-shore winds, and zero energy. The last few days of the forecast are flat.

Bottom line: Sunday the 6th morning is your best bet for a clean, fun session. Wednesday the 16th afternoon is for the brave and skilled only. The rest is a long, quiet stretch. Don’t hold your breath.

Rusty.

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