Californias Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, it’s Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s happening at Californias. To be straight with you, the next week and a bit is a real struggle. We’ve got a long stretch of nothing on the cards, with the first few days offering absolutely zero surfable energy. It’s a tough start to the outlook, with a real dry spell lasting from Monday, July 27th, all the way through the end of July. You’re looking at a good week of flatness before anything changes.

Honestly, the first sign of any life is a tiny 0.7ft easterly windswell on Friday, July 31st, but with a short period of 10 seconds and combined energy of just 7, it’s basically a non-event. The wind is cross-shore, so it’s not doing us any favours. That kind of weak, inconsistent dribble is not worth paddling out for.

The real story starts to unfold in the first week of August. The morning of Monday, August 3rd, we finally see a pulse of proper energy, with a 2ft easterly swell and a period of 14 seconds. The combined energy climbs to 152 (moderate), and with clean, cross-offshore winds from the north, it’s actually surfable. That afternoon, it jumps to 2ft, and the energy is up to 197. It’s not world-class, but it’s a start.

But the standout window is the morning of Tuesday, August 4th. That’s the one. The swell hits 3ft from the east, with a very long period of 17 seconds and a combined energy of 451 (strong). The wind is a clean north cross-offshore. This is a proper groundswell. The water temperature is about average for the time of year, nothing wild. Because the period is so long, those waves are going to be packing a punch and have longer lulls between sets. This is a reef break, so that long period is going to suit it perfectly, giving you some proper, well-shaped lines. The afternoon is a bit junkier with a marginal tide call, so get it in the morning.

The morning of Thursday, August 6th, is the other real standout. It’s holding at 4ft from the east, period of 16 seconds, with a combined energy of 641 (strong). And the wind is glassy – dead flat, from the north. That is a rare treat. The wave faces are going to be as clean as a whistle. This is the best on offer, no question. Just be aware, the crowds are listed as "often", so you’re going to have company. The morning of Friday, August 7th, is also very good, still 3ft and glassy, just a tick smaller. The long-period, glassy mornings are the clear winners here.

The second week starts to fade. Saturday, August 8th, is still clean with a 3ft easterly, but the energy is dropping. By Sunday, the 9th, the swell tanks and the period drops to a short 7 seconds, killing the quality. The rest of the outlook is a mix of small, weak swell and poor conditions.

So, if you’re paddling out, your best bet is Tuesday morning, August 4th, for that long-period, cross-offshore quality. But the absolute crown goes to Thursday morning, August 6th, with the glassy conditions and solid 4ft groundswell. That’s the session to circle.

Rusty.

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