Californias Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here again. Let’s switch gears to feet and miles, because this forecast is a tough one no matter how you measure it. We’re staring at a long dry spell before a late pulse of energy shows up.

We’re talking about Californias, a reef break that’s usually fairly consistent, so it hurts to see it go so quiet. The water is sitting at 83°, which is pretty normal for this time of year.

From Wednesday, July 22nd, right through the end of the month, it’s a total bust. A solid 10 days of tiny, weak waves. The biggest we see in that stretch is a pathetic 1ft on the 22nd, coming from the east with a 9-second period. The combined energy is only 21 – that’s flatter than a pancake. The wind is glassy or offshore on some days, which would be perfect if there was any swell. But there isn’t. It’s a blank run.

As we flip into August, a ghost of a swell shows up on the 1st. We’re looking at 0.6ft to 1ft, but the period jumps to 18-19 seconds – that’s a very long-period groundswell, but it’s just too small to matter. The energy is still low (41 to 73). The wind is messy, so it’s not even clean.

The real turn comes on Sunday, August 2nd. The swell starts to build. By morning, we’ve got 3ft from the east with a 17-second period, and the combined energy jumps to 376 – that’s moderate energy. The problem is the wind. It’s a cross-onshore breeze from the WNW at 9 mph, making it fairly choppy. The forecast still calls it “poor surf conditions,” but you can feel the energy is there. By the afternoon, it’s up to 3ft and 449 energy.

Monday the 3rd and Tuesday the 4th see the swell peak, with heights hitting 4ft and the energy climbing into the 700s – that’s strong wave energy. The period is still a solid 16-17 seconds, so it’s a proper groundswell. But again, the wind is the enemy. It’s cross-onshore from the NW, mostly at 9-12 mph, so the surface is going to be choppy and bumpy. The forecast calls it “marginal” for Tuesday. It’s frustrating because the power is there, but the conditions are a mess.

Now, here’s the one and only standout. Wednesday, August 5th. This is the best we’ve got. The morning session sees a clean 3ft swell from the ENE, with a 16-second period. The wave energy is a solid 424. But the real winner is the wind: it’s a cross-offshore breeze from the north at 9 mph. That’s going to smooth things out, making for clean, lined-up waves. The forecast actually says “expect good surf conditions” – the highest score in the whole 16-day window. The swell is moderate, not too big for a confident intermediate, and the direction (ENE) is exactly what this spot wants. The only bummer is that crowds are “often” here, so expect some company.

The energy drops off quickly after that. Thursday the 6th sees it fade back to 2ft and 90 energy, with a cross wind.

So, the plan is simple: suffer through a boring 10 days, then keep your eyes on the morning of Wednesday, August 5th at Californias. That’s the one chance where the swell and the wind might actually work together. It’s a long-range hope, not a guarantee, but it’s the only real option on the table.

Rusty, out.

Read more