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
Next Low
03:00 PM
-0.4 ft
NOAA tide data via Cached Tide Data
Tide Chart
7-Day Tide Schedule
| Day | High 1 | Low 1 | High 2 | Low 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Today | 8:00 AM(5.1ft) | 2:00 AM(0.9ft) | 9:00 PM(5.0ft) | 3:00 PM(-0.5ft) |
| Tomorrow | 9:00 AM(5.0ft) | 3:00 AM(0.3ft) | 9:00 PM(5.2ft) | 3:00 PM(-0.2ft) |
| Wed, Apr 1 | 10:00 AM(4.7ft) | 4:00 AM(0.0ft) | 10:00 PM(5.4ft) | 4:00 PM(0.2ft) |
| Thu, Apr 2 | 10:00 AM(4.4ft) | 4:00 AM(-0.2ft) | 10:00 PM(5.4ft) | 4:00 PM(0.6ft) |
| Fri, Apr 3 | 11:00 AM(4.0ft) | 5:00 AM(-0.2ft) | 11:00 PM(5.3ft) | 4:00 PM(1.1ft) |
| Sat, Apr 4 | 12:00 PM(3.5ft) | 5:00 AM(-0.1ft) | 11:00 PM(5.2ft) | 5:00 PM(1.5ft) |
| Sun, Apr 5 | 12:00 PM(3.1ft) | 6:00 AM(0.0ft) | 11:00 PM(5.0ft) | 5:00 PM(1.8ft) |
Today
Tomorrow
Wed, Apr 1
Thu, Apr 2
Fri, Apr 3
Sat, Apr 4
Sun, Apr 5
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
AdvancedBig 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
IntermediateBirdrock 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
IntermediateHorseshoe 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
Beginner friendlyLa Jolla Shores functions as San Diego's most popular beginner beach, rated 7/10 for learning environment.
Scripps
Beginner friendlyScripps Pier offers beginner to intermediate beach break rated 6/10, with pier structure creating defined peaks on both sides.
Windansea
AdvancedWindansea 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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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
Frequently Asked Questions
About 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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