What's the best tide for surfing in La Jolla?

Tide preferences vary by spot in La Jolla. Generally, incoming mid-tides work well for most beaches, offering a good balance of wave shape and power. Check individual spot guides for specific tide recommendations.

How do tides affect surfing conditions in La Jolla?

Tides significantly impact surf conditions in La Jolla. Low tide can expose reefs and sandbars creating hollow waves, while high tide often creates softer, more forgiving waves. Mid-tide transitions typically offer the most consistent conditions.

Where can I check tide charts for La Jolla?

You can check tide charts for La Jolla on Quiver's surf forecast pages, NOAA tide predictions, or various surf forecast apps. Quiver provides real-time tide information integrated with surf conditions for accurate session planning.

Tide conditions for La Jolla surf spots

La Jolla, California

Updated Refreshed hourly · Tide data refreshes every 30 minutes from NOAA stations.

A foot of tide swing can shut down one break and light up another in La Jolla. These 6 spots all respond differently - some need the low to expose the bar, others clean up on a rising mid.

Current Tide

2.5ft

Falling

Next Low

03:00 AM

2.7 ft

NOAA tide data via Cached Tide Data

Tide Chart

7-Day Tide Schedule

7-day tide schedule showing high and low tides
Day	High 1	Low 1	High 2	Low 2
Today	--	11:00 PM(3.0 ft)	--	--
Tomorrow	8:00 PM(3.0 ft)	1:00 PM(0.3 ft)	--	11:00 PM(2.8 ft)
Thu, Feb 12	6:00 AM(4.9 ft)	1:00 PM(-0.1 ft)	8:00 PM(3.3 ft)	--
Fri, Feb 13	6:00 AM(5.3 ft)	12:00 AM(2.5 ft)	8:00 PM(3.5 ft)	2:00 PM(-0.5 ft)
Sat, Feb 14	7:00 AM(5.6 ft)	1:00 AM(2.2 ft)	9:00 PM(3.7 ft)	2:00 PM(-0.7 ft)
Sun, Feb 15	8:00 AM(5.8 ft)	1:00 AM(1.9 ft)	9:00 PM(4.0 ft)	3:00 PM(-0.9 ft)
Mon, Feb 16	8:00 AM(6.0 ft)	2:00 AM(1.6 ft)	9:00 PM(4.2 ft)	3:00 PM(-0.9 ft)

Today

11:00 PM (3.0 ft)

Tomorrow

8:00 PM (3.0 ft)

1:00 PM (0.3 ft)

11:00 PM (2.8 ft)

Thu, Feb 12

6:00 AM (4.9 ft)

8:00 PM (3.3 ft)

1:00 PM (-0.1 ft)

Fri, Feb 13

6:00 AM (5.3 ft)

8:00 PM (3.5 ft)

12:00 AM (2.5 ft)

2:00 PM (-0.5 ft)

Sat, Feb 14

7:00 AM (5.6 ft)

9:00 PM (3.7 ft)

1:00 AM (2.2 ft)

2:00 PM (-0.7 ft)

Sun, Feb 15

8:00 AM (5.8 ft)

9:00 PM (4.0 ft)

1:00 AM (1.9 ft)

3:00 PM (-0.9 ft)

Mon, Feb 16

8:00 AM (6.0 ft)

9:00 PM (4.2 ft)

2:00 AM (1.6 ft)

3:00 PM (-0.9 ft)

Beach Tide Preferences

Each beach performs best at a specific tide range and direction. Plan your session around these windows.

Top spot recommendations

Sort your quiver, choose the right tide window, and jot down a backup in case the main peak gets stacked.

Featured Beaches

6 spots

Big Rock

Advanced

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

Intermediate

No description available.

Horseshoe

Intermediate

No description available.

La Jolla Shores

Beginner friendly

La Jolla Shores functions as San Diego's most popular beginner beach, rated 7/10 for learning environment.

Scripps

Beginner friendly

Scripps Pier offers beginner to intermediate beach break rated 6/10, with pier structure creating defined peaks on both sides.

Windansea

Advanced

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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Featured Beaches(6)

What to focus on today

Annotated tide windows tied to specific breaks
How lunar cycles reshape sandbars through the season
Safety notes for rip-prone outbound tides
Session planning tips for dawn patrol versus sunset

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