Tide conditions for San Francisco surf spots
San Francisco, 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 San Francisco. These 4 spots all respond differently - some need the low to expose the bar, others clean up on a rising mid.
Current Tide
Next Low
04:00 PM
0 ft
NOAA tide data via Cached Tide Data
Tide Chart
7-Day Tide Schedule
| Day | High 1 | Low 1 | High 2 | Low 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Today | 10:00 AM(5.3ft) | 4:00 AM(1.4ft) | 11:00 PM(5.4ft) | 5:00 PM(0.1ft) |
| Tomorrow | 11:00 AM(5.1ft) | 5:00 AM(0.8ft) | -- | 5:00 PM(0.4ft) |
| Wed, Apr 1 | 12:00 AM(5.6ft) | 6:00 AM(0.5ft) | 12:00 PM(5.0ft) | 6:00 PM(0.8ft) |
| Thu, Apr 2 | 12:00 AM(5.6ft) | 6:00 AM(0.2ft) | 1:00 PM(4.8ft) | 6:00 PM(1.4ft) |
| Fri, Apr 3 | 1:00 AM(5.7ft) | 7:00 AM(-0.0ft) | 2:00 PM(4.5ft) | 7:00 PM(1.8ft) |
| Sat, Apr 4 | 1:00 AM(5.7ft) | 8:00 AM(-0.1ft) | 3:00 PM(4.3ft) | 7:00 PM(2.3ft) |
| Sun, Apr 5 | 2:00 AM(5.5ft) | 8:00 AM(-0.1ft) | 3:00 PM(4.1ft) | 8:00 PM(2.7ft) |
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
4 spots
Fort Point (San Francisco)
IntermediateA novelty right-hand reef that breaks directly under the Golden Gate Bridge. When a big west swell refracts around Land's End, Fort Point offers long peeling rights with a spectacular backdrop. It's fickle and often crowded with locals.
Ocean Beach SF – Middle
AdvancedThe middle section of Ocean Beach offers shifting sandbars that produce hollow barrels on a strong NW swell. Peaks are less defined but can provide long rides when the banks are good. Expect powerful waves and strong currents.
Ocean Beach SF – North
AdvancedThe north end of Ocean Beach near the Cliff House can handle large winter swells, producing heavy A-frame peaks and long walls. Strong rips and cold water make it suitable only for experienced surfers.
Ocean Beach SF – Sloat
AdvancedThe south end of Ocean Beach around Sloat Boulevard often has the most defined sandbars, producing punchy peaks and occasional tubes. Currents are still strong and the water is frigid, so only confident surfers should paddle out.
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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 San Francisco
- Tide preferences vary by spot in San Francisco. 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 San Francisco. 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 San Francisco 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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