Surf spot

La Jolla Shores

Forecast conditions and map view for La Jolla Shores 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: 32.8586, -117.2583

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	SCross-off	SCross-off	SSWCross	SSWCross	SSWCross	SCross	SCross	SCross	SSWCross	SSWCross-on	SWCross-on	WSWCross-on	WOnshore	WOnshore	WSWCross-on	SSWCross	SWCross-on	SCross-off	SCross	SWCross-on	SWCross-on	SSWCross	SCross	SCross	SSWCross	SCross-off	SSWCross	SWCross-on	SWCross-on	SWCross-on	SCross-off	SSWCross	SCross-off	SCross	SWCross-on	WSWCross-on	WSWCross-on	WSWCross-on	SWCross-on	SWGlassy	WGlassy	WGlassy	WSWCross-on	WOnshore	WOnshore	WNWOnshore	WNWOnshore	WNWOnshore	WNWOnshore	WNWGlassy	WOnshore	WOnshore	WNWOnshore	WNWOnshore	WOnshore

La Jolla Shores is a classic beginner-friendly surf spot in San Diego, California, known for its long, gently sloping sandy beach and generally mellow wave conditions. It’s one of the most accessible and popular surf beaches in the area, especially for new surfers, longboarders, and surf schools.

Surf character

Wave type: Mostly soft, rolling beach-break waves
Best for: Beginners, longboarders, and intermediate surfers on smaller days
Conditions: Typically mellow and forgiving, though it can get busier and more powerful during bigger swells
Wave quality: Not usually a heavy performance wave, but can be fun and clean when conditions line up

Beach and setting

Wide sandy beach with an easy paddle-out
Protected, scenic cove-like feel compared with more exposed breaks nearby
Popular with swimmers, kayakers, snorkelers, and families, so it can be crowded

When it works best

Often best on smaller to moderate south swells
Can handle northwest swell too, depending on size and period
Low to mid tide is often favorable, but conditions vary with sandbars and swell direction
Light offshore or calm winds improve the surf; morning sessions are often best

Things to know

The area can be very crowded, especially on weekends and during good weather
Because of its popularity, surf etiquette matters
It’s a good place to learn, but be aware of swimmers and other ocean users
Conditions can change with sand movement, so one day may be very different from the next

Overall vibe

La Jolla Shores is known for being friendly, approachable, and scenic—a great spot to learn to surf or cruise on a longboard while enjoying one of San Diego’s most iconic beaches.