Surf spot

Horseshoe

Forecast conditions and map view for Horseshoe 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: 32.8387, -117.2823

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)	0.7	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.7	0.8	0.7	0.6	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.6	0.7	0.5	0.8	0.9	1	1	1	1	1	1	0.8	0.9	1	1.1	1	0.9	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.7	0.7	0.6	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.5
Wave direction	SSW	WSW	SSW	SSW	S	SSW	S	SW	SW	SSW	SSW	SSW	WSW	W	WSW	W	W	W	W	W	W	W	W	WNW	WNW	WNW	W	W	WNW	WNW	WNW	WSW	WSW	W	W	WNW	WNW	W	WNW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	S
Wave period (s)	13	12.5	11.8	11.3	12.1	12.3	12	11.8	11.8	11.4	11.3	11.2	9.1	7	10.3	4.4	4.7	4.9	5.2	5.3	5.5	5.8	5.5	5.8	5.9	5.9	5.9	5.9	6.2	6.1	6.1	5.2	5.1	5.3	6.7	6.7	6.1	5.7	7.5	12.4	13.8	13.7	13.7	13.4	13.3	12.9	12.8	12.6	12.2	13.3	13.2	13.1	12.9	12.8	11.9	9.3
Wave energy (kJ)	147	120	108	91	128	175	149	114	120	114	111	109	56	42	61	27	33	44	52	60	62	72	56	43	51	64	84	70	57	41	36	25	21	20	30	32	36	33	41	83	102	101	102	106	110	112	109	113	114	96	94	93	90	88	77	46
Wind speed (km/h)	13	12.3	13.3	18.6	18.5	14.3	10.5	10.8	9	7.3	6.8	12.5	15	13.2	9.5	8.3	6.1	8	9	16.1	15.3	13.8	10	10.1	9.7	10.7	10.1	14.2	17.2	13.3	9.3	8.6	7.6	5.8	6.9	11.2	14.7	12.2	9	6.7	4.4	3.7	3.7	9.7	16.2	12.8	9.7	7.3	5.6	5	4.5	10.1	15.6	14.1	10.5	6.2
Wind direction	SCross-on	SCross-on	SCross-on	SSWCross-on	SSWCross-on	SSWCross-on	SCross-on	SCross-on	SCross-on	SSWCross-on	SSWCross-on	SWOnshore	WSWOnshore	WOnshore	WCross-on	WSWOnshore	SSWCross-on	SWCross-on	SCross-on	SCross-on	SWOnshore	SWOnshore	SSWCross-on	SCross-on	SCross-on	SSWCross-on	SCross-on	SSWCross-on	SWCross-on	SWOnshore	SWCross-on	SCross-on	SSWCross-on	SCross-on	SCross-on	SWOnshore	WSWOnshore	WSWOnshore	WSWOnshore	SWOnshore	SWGlassy	WGlassy	WGlassy	WSWOnshore	WOnshore	WCross-on	WNWCross-on	WNWCross-on	WNWCross-on	WNWCross-on	WNWGlassy	WOnshore	WOnshore	WNWCross-on	WNWCross-on	WCross-on

Horseshoe is a surf break in San Diego County, California, known for its classic Southern California beachbreak feel. It typically offers rolling waves over a sandy bottom, making it accessible but often punchy and changeable depending on swell and tide.

Quick description

Type: Beachbreak
Bottom: Sand
Wave character: Fast, fun, and can get hollow on the right swell
Skill level: Usually best for intermediate surfers, though conditions can suit beginners when small and mellow
Best conditions: Southwest or south swell with light offshore winds
Challenges: Can be crowded, and the sandbars shift frequently, changing the wave quality

What it’s like

Horseshoe usually produces short, playful sections rather than long point-style rides. When the swell lines up, it can create clean peaks and occasional barreling sections. On smaller days, it’s a good spot for practice and casual sessions. On bigger days, it can become more powerful and less predictable.

Local vibe

Like many San Diego County beachbreaks, Horseshoe is influenced heavily by tide, sand movement, and swell direction. It’s often a spot surfers check for consistency and fun rather than a highly specialized wave.