Californias Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s talk in feet and miles per hour now. I’m Rusty, and I’ve been watching the charts for Californias. Straight up: we’ve got a long, flat start to this outlook, so don’t expect much for a while. The first recommendation doesn’t pop up until the morning of Monday, August 4th. That’s over a week of nothing—just poor conditions and tiny weak swell. So if you’re itching to paddle out, you’ll be waiting.

Californias is a reef break, fairly consistent, and exposed to swell from the north. It’s an advanced spot, and with the size coming in, it’ll be one for experienced surfers only. The water temp is sitting at 85°F with a +0.9°F anomaly—right about average for this time of year, so nothing wild there.

The real action starts Monday morning, August 4th. We get a clean 3ft swell from the east, with a period of 16 seconds. That’s a proper groundswell, long-period energy (over 15 seconds is very long), so the waves will have shape and punch, but at a reef break like this, the long gaps between sets are fine. Combined energy is moderate at 528. Wind is a light 6 mph from the north, cross-offshore, so it’ll be clean. That’s a solid start to the week.

It builds through Tuesday, August 5th. Wednesday morning, August 6th, is the standout. Glassy conditions with a risk of thunderstorms, wind from the north at just 3 mph, and a 5ft east swell running at an 18-second period. Energy jumps to 1183—moderate to strong. That’s excellent surf for the experienced crew. The afternoon sees 5ft, 18 seconds, clean, and 1543 in combined energy. This is the first true winner.

Thursday, August 7th, delivers a 7ft east swell with a 17-second period and cross-offshore wind. That’s in the expert-only zone—over 8ft is getting too big, but we’re just under. Friday morning, August 8th, is the absolute peak: 8ft east swell at a 19-second period, glassy wind from the northwest at 3 mph. Combined energy hits 5060—very strong. That’s as good as it gets here, though it’s only for experts. The afternoon holds 8ft at 18 seconds, also clean.

Saturday, August 9th, still has solid 5ft to 7ft east and north swells, clean with offshore and cross-offshore wind. Sunday, August 10th, holds 8ft to 8ft north/northwest swells, clean but big. By Monday, August 11th, it drops to 6ft and 5ft, still clean but easing off.

So the highlight is the morning of August 8th—glassy, 8ft east swell at a 19-second period, and very strong energy. That’s the one to circle on your calendar, but only if you’ve got the skills. Crowds? This spot is often busy, so expect company.

Stay stoked, and don’t get too antsy during the flat spell.
— Rusty

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