Redwood Creek Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s take a good, hard look at what’s coming down the line for Redwood Creek over the next couple of weeks.

Straight up, it’s a tough run. This spot rarely breaks, and this forecast is a real test of patience. We’ve got a solid 16-day window, but the first real hope doesn’t kick in until Sunday morning, July 19th. Even then, it’s a struggle. The pattern is mostly marginal surf with questionable tides, and the wind is often a problem.

The main issue is the wind. For the bulk of the first week, from Sunday the 19th through the 24th, we’re looking at a persistent onshore or cross-onshore flow from the NW and NNW, with speeds around 6 to 9 mph. That’s going to mess up the surface. The swell is a mixed bag. Early on, we get a glimmer of something longer period from the WNW, but the real energy is short-period, choppy NW windswell. The combined energy values are moderate, hitting the 800s and 900s (moderate wave energy), but it’s all wind-bump.

Now, the standout moment – and it’s a brief one – is Tuesday afternoon, July 21st. The wind drops to *glass* – dead calm from the NW. That’s a major positive. The swell is small, only 2 ft from the SW, with a long period of 14 seconds. That groundswell energy is low, with a combined energy of 346 (weak wave energy). But that glassy surface will make it look a million times better than it is. It’s the only window in the whole two weeks where the forecast says “expect good surf conditions.” It’s tiny, but if you’re desperate, that’s your moment.

But here’s the brutal truth: Redwood Creek is a river mouth spot, and it rarely breaks. We’ve got a long stretch of nothing from Wednesday the 23rd all the way through the end of the month. The wind just won’t let up, staying cross-onshore and often reaching 12 mph, which is a moderate breeze and makes it choppy. The swell is all over the place, with some very long-period SW groundswells (16 to 24 seconds) showing up around the 24th and 25th, but the energy is moderate (combined energy in the 750 to 1056 range) and the wind is ruining it.

For the second week, the pattern holds. Poor surf conditions and marginal forecasts dominate. The water temp is about 55°F, which is pretty normal for this time of year.

Honestly, if you’re not a local who knows every ripple, this setup looks more interesting for a kite surfer looking for strong, consistent cross-onshore wind than for a paddle surfer. The waves are there, but the quality is just not there for us.

For the best paddle, you’re looking at that tiny, glassy, Tuesday afternoon, July 21st window on the 2 ft SW groundswell. It’s a long shot, but it’s our only shot.

Rusty.

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