Surf spot

Riviera

Forecast conditions and map view for Riviera in USA, California, Orange County. Open the interactive surf map to inspect wind, waves, and nearby spots.

Country: USA, California, Orange County
Coordinates: 33.4058, -117.6084

Metric
Metric	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00
Wave height (m)	0.8	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.8	0.8	0.8	0.8	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.8	0.7	0.9	0.9	0.8	0.8	0.7	0.6	0.7	0.9	0.9	0.9	0.8	0.8	0.5	0.4	0.4	0.4	0.4	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.5	0.5
Wave direction	SSW	S	S	S	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	S	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	W	W	W	W	W	W	W	W	W	W	W	W	W	W	W	WSW	W	W	W	W	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	S	S	S	S	S	S	S
Wave period (s)	12.9	12.9	12.5	12.6	12.1	11.9	11.8	11.8	12.1	11.6	11.4	11.3	11.2	11.2	11.2	7.9	4.7	6.2	5.2	5.2	5.3	5.6	6.3	6.8	4.8	5.8	5.8	5.7	5.6	5.5	5	7.3	7.3	9.7	8.7	12.1	12.9	13.2	14.6	14.4	14.3	14.1	13.9	13.9	13.8	13.7	13.3	13.3	13.1	12.4	13.1	13.2	13	12.8	12.8	10.2
Wave energy (kJ)	224	154	145	154	195	190	180	168	127	147	135	132	130	129	122	54	26	41	41	40	38	40	35	33	22	57	54	47	40	35	14	19	19	30	29	61	77	80	98	104	111	107	121	122	128	126	128	135	140	127	115	117	106	104	95	60
Wind speed (km/h)	13.3	14.1	12.7	17.8	18.4	13.5	10.9	9.9	12.5	10.2	10.1	15.5	14.5	10.4	2.9	4.7	9.7	8.7	6.8	15.8	15.4	13.3	7.2	11.2	13.2	13.6	16.8	20.9	17.6	14.4	8.5	10.9	9.2	10.5	8.7	13.4	14.8	13.2	6.4	5.7	7.6	4.3	4.3	11.5	14.2	10.5	2.9	0.7	1.5	2.5	0.8	9.9	14.5	12.9	4.5	2.7
Wind direction	SECross	SECross	SECross	SSECross-on	SSECross-on	SCross-on	SECross	SECross	SECross	SECross	SECross	SCross-on	SSWCross-on	SWOnshore	SGlassy	SSEGlassy	SECross	SECross	ESECross	SCross-on	SCross-on	SCross-on	SSECross-on	SECross	SECross	SECross	SECross	SSECross-on	SCross-on	SCross-on	SSECross-on	SECross	SECross	ESECross	SECross	SCross-on	SWOnshore	SWOnshore	SSWOnshore	SECross	ESECross	SEGlassy	SSEGlassy	SWOnshore	WSWOnshore	WSWOnshore	WSWGlassy	SGlassy	WSWGlassy	WGlassy	SSWGlassy	WSWOnshore	WSWOnshore	WSWCross-on	WNWGlassy	WSWGlassy

Riviera is a well-known surf spot in Orange County, California, sitting in the Dana Point / Salt Creek area. It’s a classic beachbreak with reef influence, which helps shape more defined waves than a typical sand-bottom beachbreak.

What it’s like

Wave type: Fast, punchy waves with a mix of beachbreak and reef setup
Best conditions: Usually works best with a south or southwest swell and cleaner conditions from light offshore winds
Skill level: Generally intermediate to advanced due to the power and shape of the waves
Crowd factor: Can get pretty crowded, especially when conditions are good

Vibe and setting

Riviera is close to the upscale coastal neighborhoods of Dana Point and has a scenic, Southern California coastal feel. The wave can have a fun, steep takeoff and often offers short, hollow sections when the swell is right.

Hazards / things to know

Shallow reef and rocks in parts of the lineup
Can be strong and sectiony
Watch out for currents, especially on bigger surf

Nearby reference points

It’s often mentioned alongside: - Salt Creek - Strands - Doheny
These spots help define the broader Dana Point surf zone.