Live water temps and wetsuit planner for Orange County

Orange County, California

Updated December 27, 2025 at 2:32 AM · Dialed recommendations refresh every 30 minutes based on tide, wind, and crowd telemetry from Quiver.

From spring upwelling chills to balmy south-swell summers, Orange County water temps fluctuate more than the forecast suggests. Use this guide to pick the right rubber and understand when sudden drops are coming. We pair it with live data so you can decide whether to stay put, scoot north up the freeway, or log a sunset session after work.

Top spot recommendations

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

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What to focus on today

  • Weekly temperature trends and seasonal averages
  • Gear recommendations for dawn patrol versus midday
  • Upwelling signals that drop temps overnight
  • Health and recovery tips for long cold sessions

Session logging tips

Once you wrap the surf, drop a note in your Quiver journal with tide, board, and crowd observations. Over time you'll see crystal-clear patterns about when Orange County rewards this type of session objective.