La Yerbabuena Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get straight into it for La Yerbabuena.

We’ve got a 16-day window that starts rough. The first solid week or so just isn't happening. The swell is tiny, the wind is mostly cross-on, and the energy is weak. The combined energy of all swells hitting the break is in the teens and twenties for the first few days, only climbing into the 60s by Thursday 16 July, but that’s still very weak and the wave quality is poor. This is a stretch of barely surfable, choppy conditions. It’s not until the 18th that we see a glimmer, but even then, the swell is only 2 ft, so it’s not a standout.

The real standout, the only time I’d get excited, is on Saturday 19 July. The afternoon turns glassy – no wind at all – with a 3 ft WNW swell. The combined energy is a modest 40, but the clean glassy conditions will turn that small wave into something silky. It’s a point break, so it’ll handle the small WNW swell just fine. The water temp is about 72°F, which is 0.5°F above normal – so about average for the time of year. Keep in mind, this break is inconsistent, so if it’s showing, you’ve got to be on it. Crowds are likely here, so expect company.

The next real chance is on the morning of Sunday 20 July, with a 3 ft WNW swell and a combined energy of 114 – that’s the first moderate energy we’ve seen. The wind is light cross-shore, so it’ll be a bit rippled but rideable. The following morning, 21 July, also has a glassy start with 3 ft swell, but the energy is only 60, and the wave comment says it’s just ordinary.

The last week of the forecast gets a bit more interesting energy-wise. Friday 24 July morning sees a 4 ft WNW swell with a combined energy of 131, but the wind is onshore, so it’s messy. The real bright spot for the second week is Saturday 25 July morning. The wind goes cross-offshore from the ESE, the swell is 3 ft from the WNW, and the combined energy hits 89. The wind is clean, so the break will be smooth. The energy isn’t huge, but it’s the best combo in the last half of the outlook. After that, it drops off again into tiny, clean but tiny waves from the 26th onwards.

So, bottom line: the best surf is Saturday 19 July afternoon for pure glassy perfection on a small wave, and Saturday 25 July morning for a bit more size with clean offshore wind. The 16th and 20th are worth a look if you’re desperate, but don’t expect much. The first week is pretty much a write-off.

Rusty.

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