Californias Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, folks, Rusty here. Let’s talk about Californias. We’ve got a real mixed bag coming up over the next couple of weeks.

Right now, the swell is already showing up, but it’s a bit of a tease. Monday afternoon, we’ve got a clean 3-foot east swell pushing through with a very long 16-second period. The energy is light at 411, and with a cross-off breeze, it’s clean but the surf forecast is marginal. It’s a start, but not the main event.

The real action kicks off on Tuesday afternoon. That’s when we see a solid 4-foot east swell arrive, with a 17-second period and the combined energy ramping up to 1022. The best part? The wind is offshore from the ENE at 12 mph, keeping things clean. This is a standout for the week. The water is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year at 87°, so that’s a nice bonus. Expect very good surf conditions.

Wednesday morning holds a little more size, with the swell hitting 6 feet from the east, but the wind swings cross-off from the NE, and the forecast is marginal. The energy is climbing to 1663, but it’s a bit messy. Wednesday afternoon gets bigger – 6 feet east swell, 18-second period, and a huge 2199 energy, but the wind cranks up to 19 mph from the NNE, making it cross-off and messy. The tide might be an issue.

Thursday morning pushes into proper territory: 12 feet east swell with an 18-second period, and the energy is a massive 8059. But the wind is a strong cross-off from the north at 25 mph, keeping it clean but punchy. That’s big, solid surf – only for experienced surfers. Thursday afternoon stays big, but the wind hits 31 mph from the north, and the conditions are poor. This is getting into kite-surfing territory.

Friday through Sunday is a write-off. Friday morning sees a 21-foot north swell with a short 11-second period, but a severe gale cross-shore at 47 mph makes it a total mess. Friday afternoon is even worse: 28-foot north swell, 12-second period, and storm-force cross-shore winds at 62 mph. Saturday is completely out of control with hurricane-force winds and massive, dangerous swell well over 20 feet. Sunday is a total blowout with onshore gales. Stay out of the water.

After that storm, we get a bit of a lull. Monday the 10th and Tuesday the 11th are small, blown out, and choppy. Not worth a paddle.

Then, on Wednesday the 12th, we get a small window of clean, fun waves. The swell drops to 5 feet from the west, with a 10-second period, and the wind is light and cross-off from the NE. The energy is modest at 484, but conditions are good. Thursday morning the 13th is still clean but much smaller, with 3 feet west swell and a short 8-second period.

From Friday the 14th onwards, the swell completely fades. We’re looking at tiny, inconsistent waves – 1 feet or less – with light winds. It’s a flat spell that stretches all the way through to the end of the forecast on Tuesday the 18th. There’s just nothing to get excited about.

So, the standout is definitely Tuesday afternoon, August 4th, with that clean 4-foot east groundswell and offshore wind. After that, if you’re experienced, Thursday morning August 6th offers big, clean 12-foot waves, but the wind is strong. Everything else is either a storm, a lull, or flat. Keep an eye on the forecasts, but we’ve got a little window of fun before the chaos.

Rusty.

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