Surf spot

Avalanche

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

Country: USA, California, San Diego County
Coordinates: 32.7521, -117.2553

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	0.8	0.8	0.7	0.6	0.7	0.7	0.6	0.8	0.9	0.8	0.9	0.9	1	1.1	1.1	1.1	1.2	1.1	1.1	1	1	0.9	0.8	0.8	0.8	0.8	0.8	0.9	0.9	0.8	0.7	0.7	0.6	0.7	0.6	0.6	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.8	0.8	0.8	0.8	0.7	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6
Wave direction	SSW	SSW	SSW	SW	S	W	W	WSW	W	W	W	W	W	W	W	WNW	WNW	W	W	W	WNW	WNW	WNW	WSW	W	W	W	WNW	W	W	W	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW
Wave period (s)	11.8	11.4	11.3	11.3	10.3	6	6.5	9.7	4.5	4.7	4.5	5.2	5.3	5.5	5.8	5.8	5.8	5.7	5.6	5.9	6.2	6	6	5.7	4.8	5.1	6.5	6.3	6.2	5.8	5.8	9.6	10.9	12.8	10.9	13.7	13.6	13.4	12.6	12.4	12.2	12.1	11.9	11.7	11.5	11.3	11.2	11.8	12	11.8	11.7	11.6	11.4	11.1	10.9	9.1
Wave energy (kJ)	186	160	148	110	77	34	37	59	26	32	29	46	50	58	80	76	83	94	82	90	73	67	61	42	26	33	57	55	59	51	43	84	104	135	104	143	150	158	165	161	153	159	156	157	153	148	145	121	111	113	104	96	87	94	81	64
Wind speed (km/h)	7	4.9	8.9	15.9	15	11.1	8.3	6.8	8.3	8	6.9	13.4	15.5	12.3	6.1	4.9	6	8.2	8.4	15	16.8	13.8	8.9	8	8.8	7.2	4.4	13.4	15	11.8	6.9	4.7	4.7	4.7	4.1	10	15.2	12.9	9.9	10.4	8.4	8.4	8.2	11.4	18.5	17.6	14	13.2	12.3	12.4	11.4	13.5	19.2	14.2	12.5	10.9
Wind direction	SSWCross	SSWGlassy	SSWCross	SWCross-on	SWCross-on	WSWOnshore	WOnshore	WNWOnshore	WOnshore	WOnshore	SSWCross-on	SWCross-on	SWCross-on	WSWCross-on	WSWOnshore	SWGlassy	SSWCross-on	SSWCross-on	SCross	SSWCross-on	SWCross-on	SWCross-on	SWCross-on	SCross	SSWCross	SSWCross-on	SGlassy	SWCross-on	SWCross-on	SWCross-on	SWCross-on	WGlassy	WGlassy	WNWGlassy	WNWGlassy	WSWOnshore	WOnshore	WNWOnshore	WNWCross-on	NWCross-on	NWCross-on	NWCross-on	NWCross-on	WNWOnshore	WNWOnshore	WNWCross-on	NWCross-on	NWCross-on	NNWCross-on	NWCross-on	NNWCross-on	NWCross-on	WNWOnshore	WNWOnshore	NWCross-on	NWCross-on

Avalanche, San Diego County, California is a coastal surf break in the San Diego area, better known by locals for its exposed, powerful waves rather than for easy, beginner-friendly conditions.

Quick description

Type: Beach/reef-style surf spot depending on exact swell and sand movement
Wave character: Fast, energetic, and can be hollow on the right swell
Best for: Intermediate to advanced surfers
Conditions: Works best with consistent southwest swell and favorable wind conditions, often needing a particular swell direction to light up properly
Crowds: Usually less famous than major San Diego breaks, but can still be busy when conditions are good

What it’s like

Avalanche is the kind of spot that can feel raw and unpredictable. When the sand, tide, and swell line up, it can produce fun, punchy waves; when they don’t, it may be weak, dumpy, or not worth the paddle. Because San Diego County has many well-known surf breaks, Avalanche tends to be more of a local-interest spot than a tourist destination.

Things to keep in mind

Can have strong currents and shifting conditions
May be rocky or shallow in places depending on the exact area
Best approached with local knowledge and caution
Conditions can change a lot with tides and seasonal sand movement