La Jolla, California
Sunset and golden hour times for planning your evening session.
After-work glass-offs in La Jolla can rival dawn patrol on good days. Afternoon thermals die, the crowd thins, and these 6 west-facing breaks catch the last clean sets of the day.
Sunset
7:07 PMDay length: 12h 26m
+2 min vs yesterday
Sunrise
6:42 AM
First light: 6:12 AM
Sunset
7:07 PM
Last light: 7:37 PM
Data from Big Rock · Updated daily
| Day | Sunrise | Sunset | Day Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Today(Today) | 6:42 AM | 7:07 PM | 12h 26m |
| Tomorrow | 6:40 AM | 7:08 PM | 12h 28m |
| Wed, Apr 1 | 6:39 AM | 7:09 PM | 12h 30m |
| Thu, Apr 2 | 6:38 AM | 7:09 PM | 12h 32m |
| Fri, Apr 3 | 6:36 AM | 7:10 PM | 12h 34m |
Today(Today)
Sunrise
6:42 AM
Sunset
7:07 PM
Day Length
12h 26m
Tomorrow
Sunrise
6:40 AM
Sunset
7:08 PM
Day Length
12h 28m
Wed, Apr 1
Sunrise
6:39 AM
Sunset
7:09 PM
Day Length
12h 30m
Thu, Apr 2
Sunrise
6:38 AM
Sunset
7:09 PM
Day Length
12h 32m
Fri, Apr 3
Sunrise
6:36 AM
Sunset
7:10 PM
Day Length
12h 34m
6 spots
Big Rock is a heavy, hollow left-hand reef break at the foot of Palomar Avenue. It produces fast stand-up barrels on west swells and is best suited to advanced surfers due to the very shallow reef and powerful waves.
Birdrock is a reef break in La Jolla, CA. It is best suited for intermediate surfers. Watch out for rip currents, rocks, sea urchins, pollution.
Horseshoe is a reef break in La Jolla, CA. It is best suited for intermediate surfers. Watch out for rip currents, rocks, sea urchins, pollution.
La Jolla Shores functions as San Diego's most popular beginner beach, rated 7/10 for learning environment.
Scripps Pier offers beginner to intermediate beach break rated 6/10, with pier structure creating defined peaks on both sides.
Windansea stands as San Diego's most consistent and iconic break, rated 9/10. This flat rock reef under La Jolla's wealthy neighborhood produces long rights (up to 150m) and short hollow lefts.
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West-facing beaches with golden hour potential and evening access.
Big Rock is a heavy, hollow left-hand reef break at the foot of Palomar Avenue. It produces fast stand-up barrels on west swells and is best suited to advanced surfers due to the very shallow reef and powerful waves.
Walk down Palomar Ave to the bluff and scramble over the rocks. Enter the water to the left of the big rock and time your jump between sets.
Birdrock is a reef break in La Jolla, CA. It is best suited for intermediate surfers. Watch out for rip currents, rocks, sea urchins, pollution.
Multiple access points along Bird Rock Ave and the ends of residential streets off La Jolla Blvd. The most popular entry is at the foot of Bird Rock Ave, where you can scramble over the rocks to reach the water. Wear reef boots for the entry—the rocks are sharp and slippery with algae. There are no formal beach access stairs, so mobility-impaired visitors will have difficulty.
Horseshoe is a reef break in La Jolla, CA. It is best suited for intermediate surfers. Watch out for rip currents, rocks, sea urchins, pollution.
Access is via the coastal bluff trail off Nautilus Street or from Windansea Beach to the south. From Nautilus, walk west to the bluff edge and descend the rocky path. The scramble down to the water requires some agility—it's not a maintained staircase. You can also paddle north from Windansea if conditions allow. The reef is roughly 150 yards offshore from the bluff access point.
**La Jolla Shores** functions as San Diego's most popular beginner beach, rated 7/10 for learning environment.
**Scripps Pier** offers beginner to intermediate beach break rated 6/10, with pier structure creating defined peaks on both sides.
Limited close parking; walk from Shores lots when packed
**Windansea** stands as San Diego's most consistent and iconic break, rated 9/10. This flat rock reef under La Jolla's wealthy neighborhood produces long rights (up to 150m) and short hollow lefts.
About surfing in La Jolla
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