Avalanche is a beach break in San Diego, CA. It is suited for beginner-intermediate surfers. Watch out for rip currents, pollution.
Water temperature in San Diego
San Diego, California
Water temperatures refreshed hourly from NOAA buoys and forecast models.
Pack the right rubber and you'll extend your sessions in San Diego by an hour. Temps swing from upwelling lows to summer peaks, and the difference between a 3/2 and a 4/3 day can come overnight.
A spring suit or shorty wetsuit is ideal
7-Day Temperature Trend
Data from Avalanche · Updated hourly
Beach Water Temperatures
Current water temperatures at each surf spot. Temperatures can vary based on local conditions, currents, and depth.
Hotel Del Coronado
Spring suit (2mm)
PB Point
Spring suit (2mm)
Sunset Cliffs – Garbage
Spring suit (2mm)
Big Jetty
Spring suit (2mm)
Tijuana Sloughs
Spring suit (2mm)
Sunset Cliffs North (Garbage)
Spring suit (2mm)
Marine Street Beach
Spring suit (2mm)
Torrey Pines State Beach
Spring suit (2mm)
Coronado North Jetty
Spring suit (2mm)
Osprey Point
Spring suit (2mm)
Sunset Cliffs – Luscombs
Spring suit (2mm)
Ocean Beach
Spring suit (2mm)
Ocean Beach Pier
Spring suit (2mm)
Avalanche
Spring suit (2mm)
Silver Strand State Beach
Spring suit (2mm)
New Break (Nubes)
3/2mm fullsuit
Tourmaline
3/2mm fullsuit
Mission Beach (Central)
3/2mm fullsuit
Pacific Beach
3/2mm fullsuit
Crystal Pier
3/2mm fullsuit
Blacks
3/2mm fullsuit
Tourmaline Surf Park
3/2mm fullsuit
Mission Beach
3/2mm fullsuit
Surf spots in San Diego
Featured Beaches
23 spots
Avalanche
AdvancedAvalanche is a beach break in San Diego, CA. It is suited for beginner-intermediate surfers. Watch out for rip currents, pollution.
Big Jetty
AdvancedBig Jetty is a jetty break in San Diego, CA. It is suited for intermediate-advanced surfers. Watch out for rip currents, rocks, strong currents, pollution.
Blacks
AdvancedBlacks Beach represents San Diego County's best beach break and California premier beach break overall, rated 9/10.
Coronado North Jetty
AdvancedCoronado North Jetty is a jetty break in San Diego, CA. It is suited for intermediate-advanced surfers. Watch out for rip currents, rocks, strong currents, pollution.
Crystal Pier
AdvancedCrystal Pier is a jetty break in San Diego, CA. It is suited for intermediate-advanced surfers. Watch out for rip currents, rocks, strong currents, pollution.
Hotel Del Coronado
Beginner friendlyHotel Del Coronado is a beach break in San Diego, CA. It is suited for beginner-intermediate surfers. Watch out for rip currents, pollution.
Marine Street Beach
Beginner friendlyMarine Street Beach is a beach break in San Diego, CA. It is suited for beginner-intermediate surfers. Watch out for rip currents, pollution.
Mission Beach
IntermediateMission Beach serves as central San Diego surfing bellwether rated 6/10. Nearly 2-mile stretch from South Mission Jetty to Pacific Beach offers year-round beachbreak.
Mission Beach (Central)
Beginner friendlyBeachbreak at South Mission with a jetty that creates wedging waves. Big parking lot fills with volleyball crowds mid-day. Mid tide steadies the wave shape. Onshores wreck afternoons so go early for best conditions. The jetty rip runs hard on overhead pulses - keep eyes on the current.
New Break (Nubes)
Beginner friendlyNew Break (Nubes) is a beach break in San Diego, CA. It is suited for beginner-intermediate surfers. Watch out for rip currents, pollution.
Ocean Beach
AdvancedOcean Beach delivers San Diego's most consistent surf rated 8/10 but most dangerous beach. Receives all swell directions 200-310° (center 270°) with east offshore winds (90°).
Ocean Beach Pier
AdvancedPowerful beachbreak near the OB Pier with shifting sandbars that can handle serious size. The pier creates banks that often produce the best waves in the area. Morning offshore winds during Santa Ana conditions make for epic sessions. Be mindful of the jetty and pier - both create strong rips when the swell is up.
Osprey Point
IntermediateOsprey Point is a point break in San Diego, CA. It is best suited for intermediate surfers. Watch out for rip currents, rocks, sea urchins, pollution.
Pacific Beach
Beginner friendlyPacific Beach (Crystal Pier) offers multiple peaks rated 5/10—always something but rarely truly good.
PB Point
IntermediatePB Point is a point break in San Diego, CA. It is best suited for intermediate surfers. Watch out for rip currents, rocks, sea urchins, pollution.
Silver Strand State Beach
Beginner friendlySilver Strand State Beach (Coronado) offers beginner-friendly gentle waves rated 4/10 for inconsistency.
Sunset Cliffs – Garbage
Intermediate to expertGarbage at Sunset Cliffs is an exposed reef with left and right peaks. It lights up during winter west and northwest swells and is best surfed at low to mid tide. Access involves scrambling down a cliff to a rocky beach; the wave is powerful with strong currents and is better for experienced surfers.
Sunset Cliffs – Luscombs
AdvancedLuscombs Point is a left-handing reef at Sunset Cliffs that produces long, powerful walls during west swells. Access is via a fenced point where surfers climb down the rocks and jump off a ledge; timing your entry with the incoming waves is critical. The wave is fast and shallow, so it's suited to advanced surfers.
Sunset Cliffs North (Garbage)
AdvancedSunset Cliffs features multiple reef breaks along Point Loma rated 7/10 with numerous named spots (Luscomb's Point, Garbage Beach, New Break, Abs, Osprey).
Tijuana Sloughs
Intermediate to expertTijuana Sloughs represents legendary big-wave spot rated 5/10 for consistency but major pollution issues.
Torrey Pines State Beach
Beginner friendlyTorrey Pines State Beach is a beach break in San Diego, CA. It is suited for beginner-intermediate surfers. Watch out for rip currents, pollution.
Tourmaline
Beginner friendlyTourmaline (Old Man's) provides exceptional longboarding and best beginner spot in San Diego, rated 6/10.
Tourmaline Surf Park
Beginner friendlyLongboard and fish heaven with soft, rolling waves and cruisey shoulders. Best on mid to high tide with small W/NW or combo swells. The parking lot fills late morning but has decent turnover. Gentle vibe overall, though watch for drifting learners. Perfect spot for a mellow session on a small day.
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Spot guide for San Diego
Break types, ratings, and local tips for each beach.
Big Jetty is a jetty break in San Diego, CA. It is suited for intermediate-advanced surfers. Watch out for rip currents, rocks, strong currents, pollution.
**Blacks Beach** represents San Diego County's best beach break and California premier beach break overall, rated 9/10.
Coronado North Jetty is a jetty break in San Diego, CA. It is suited for intermediate-advanced surfers. Watch out for rip currents, rocks, strong currents, pollution.
Crystal Pier is a jetty break in San Diego, CA. It is suited for intermediate-advanced surfers. Watch out for rip currents, rocks, strong currents, pollution.
Hotel Del Coronado is a beach break in San Diego, CA. It is suited for beginner-intermediate surfers. Watch out for rip currents, pollution.
Marine Street Beach is a beach break in San Diego, CA. It is suited for beginner-intermediate surfers. Watch out for rip currents, pollution.
**Mission Beach** serves as central San Diego surfing bellwether rated 6/10. Nearly 2-mile stretch from South Mission Jetty to Pacific Beach offers year-round beachbreak.
Beachbreak at South Mission with a jetty that creates wedging waves. Big parking lot fills with volleyball crowds mid-day. Mid tide steadies the wave shape. Onshores wreck afternoons so go early for best conditions. The jetty rip runs hard on overhead pulses - keep eyes on the current.
New Break (Nubes) is a beach break in San Diego, CA. It is suited for beginner-intermediate surfers. Watch out for rip currents, pollution.
**Ocean Beach** delivers San Diego's most consistent surf rated 8/10 but most dangerous beach. Receives all swell directions 200-310° (center 270°) with east offshore winds (90°).
Powerful beachbreak near the OB Pier with shifting sandbars that can handle serious size. The pier creates banks that often produce the best waves in the area. Morning offshore winds during Santa Ana conditions make for epic sessions. Be mindful of the jetty and pier - both create strong rips when the swell is up.
Osprey Point is a point break in San Diego, CA. It is best suited for intermediate surfers. Watch out for rip currents, rocks, sea urchins, pollution.
**Pacific Beach** (Crystal Pier) offers multiple peaks rated 5/10—always something but rarely truly good.
PB Point is a point break in San Diego, CA. It is best suited for intermediate surfers. Watch out for rip currents, rocks, sea urchins, pollution.
**Silver Strand State Beach** (Coronado) offers beginner-friendly gentle waves rated 4/10 for inconsistency.
Garbage at Sunset Cliffs is an exposed reef with left and right peaks. It lights up during winter west and northwest swells and is best surfed at low to mid tide. Access involves scrambling down a cliff to a rocky beach; the wave is powerful with strong currents and is better for experienced surfers.
Luscombs Point is a left-handing reef at Sunset Cliffs that produces long, powerful walls during west swells. Access is via a fenced point where surfers climb down the rocks and jump off a ledge; timing your entry with the incoming waves is critical. The wave is fast and shallow, so it's suited to advanced surfers.
**Sunset Cliffs** features multiple reef breaks along Point Loma rated 7/10 with numerous named spots (Luscomb's Point, Garbage Beach, New Break, Abs, Osprey).
**Tijuana Sloughs** represents legendary big-wave spot rated 5/10 for consistency but major pollution issues.
Torrey Pines State Beach is a beach break in San Diego, CA. It is suited for beginner-intermediate surfers. Watch out for rip currents, pollution.
**Tourmaline** (Old Man's) provides exceptional longboarding and best beginner spot in San Diego, rated 6/10.
Longboard and fish heaven with soft, rolling waves and cruisey shoulders. Best on mid to high tide with small W/NW or combo swells. The parking lot fills late morning but has decent turnover. Gentle vibe overall, though watch for drifting learners. Perfect spot for a mellow session on a small day.
What to know about water temperature
- 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
Surf Guides for San Diego
Conditions
Frequently Asked Questions
About surfing in San Diego
- Water temperatures in San Diego typically range from 55-72°F. For summer, spring suit or 3/2mm is recommended. In winter, you'll want 4/3mm. Spring and fall may require adjusting based on your cold tolerance.
- Water temperatures in San Diego vary by season, ranging from 55-72°F. Check Quiver's live water temperature data for real-time readings at specific surf spots. Temperatures are typically warmest around August-September and coldest in January-February.
- Water temperatures in San Diego range from 55-72°F, so most surfers wear at least spring suit or 3/2mm even in summer. A wetsuit is recommended year-round for longer sessions and early morning surfs.
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