La Yerbabuena Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on offer.

Honestly, I’ve been staring at this forecast for a while and it’s a bit of a bummer. We’ve got a solid 16-day window ahead, but the surf just isn’t cooperating. The whole period is essentially a write-off for good waves.

The first hint of any surfable conditions doesn’t show up until Friday morning, the 7th of August, at La Yerbabuena. The water temperature is sitting at 72°, which is about average for this time of year—nothing special there. That Friday morning, we’ve got a small 3 ft swell from the west-northwest, with a short period of 7 seconds. The wind is light and cross-offshore from the east-southeast, which will keep it clean, but the wave energy is really weak, at just 60 (combined energy). The comment says it’s “surfable but very ordinary,” and I’d have to agree. It’s a tiny, weak wave, and the break is already inconsistent, so you’ll be waiting around for the few that come through. It’s not a total flat spell, but it’s close.

The rest of the run is a sea of “poor surf conditions.” There are a few mornings with glassy or clean conditions, like Saturday the 8th, Sunday the 9th, and Tuesday the 11th, but the swell is just too small and weak to do anything with—mostly 1 ft to 3 ft, with combined energy rarely cracking 50. That’s barely enough to float a log.

Now, there’s a slight blip around the 13th and 14th of August. The combined energy jumps up to 136 on Thursday morning the 13th, and 130 on Friday afternoon the 14th, which is moderate energy. The swell is still small at 3 ft, but the period stretches to 9 seconds, suggesting a bit more punch. The problem is the wind: it’s onshore or cross-onshore for the most part, and the break is just a fairly exposed point. The wave comment still calls it “poor surf conditions.” So, while the energy is there, the quality isn’t. It’s not a standout.

Beyond that, the second week fades back into tiny, weak swells with onshore winds. The 20th of August shows a clean cross-offshore wind from the east, but the swell is only 2 ft and 7 seconds—just not enough.

So, here’s the bottom line: there is no good surf in this 16-day window. The only morning that’s even remotely worth a paddle is Friday the 7th of August, and that’s a stretch. For an inconsistent spot like La Yerbabuena, this kind of blank run is more normal than you’d hope. It’s a waiting game, folks. The forecasts can change, but for now, I’d leave the board in the car.

Rusty.

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