Surf spot

Tourmaline

Forecast conditions and map view for Tourmaline 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: 32.8046, -117.2638

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	0.7	0.8	0.7	0.6	0.7	0.6	0.6	0.9	0.9	0.9	1	1	1	1.1	1	1	1.1	1	1.1	0.9	0.9	0.9	0.9	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.8	0.7	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.5	0.5	0.6	0.5	0.5	0.5
Wave direction	WSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	W	W	WNW	W	W	W	W	W	W	W	WNW	WNW	WNW	WNW	W	WNW	WNW	WNW	WSW	W	W	WNW	WNW	WNW	W	W	WNW	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)	12.1	11.5	11.4	11.6	9.9	6.3	8.6	7.1	4.6	4.8	4.8	5.2	5.4	5.7	5.8	5.7	5.9	6	6	5.8	6	5.9	5.8	5.4	4.7	4.7	6.6	6.7	6.6	5.6	5.6	5.8	7.8	10.6	9.6	13.7	13.3	13	12.5	12.2	12.2	13.4	13.2	13.2	13.1	12.8	12.3	12.2	12.1	11.9	11.8	11.8	11.3	11.2	11.2	11
Wave energy (kJ)	142	130	151	132	67	35	50	39	31	38	37	52	56	70	78	61	75	81	79	80	64	59	57	43	22	22	38	43	43	38	33	27	50	92	62	135	144	147	153	146	146	122	109	108	107	104	102	100	98	89	82	75	81	73	67	65
Wind speed (km/h)	8	6.8	8.6	13.3	15.5	11.3	9.4	7.8	7.2	6.6	6.8	13.5	16.1	12.4	7.8	6	6.1	7.2	8.8	14.8	15.6	13.2	7.7	7.9	7.8	7.6	7.2	11.6	15.6	12.7	7	5.1	5.2	3.3	4.4	10.5	14.7	11.9	9.3	7.1	5.7	7.3	7.2	12.2	18.1	15.8	11.5	10.5	10.8	9.4	11.3	12.5	18.2	14.6	11	9.1
Wind direction	SCross-on	SSWCross-on	SSWCross-on	SWOnshore	SWOnshore	WSWOnshore	WOnshore	WNWCross-on	WOnshore	WSWOnshore	SSWCross-on	SWCross-on	SWOnshore	WSWOnshore	WSWOnshore	WSWOnshore	SSWCross-on	SSWCross-on	SCross-on	SSWCross-on	SWOnshore	SWOnshore	SSWCross-on	SSWCross-on	SSWCross-on	SCross-on	SSWCross-on	SWCross-on	SWOnshore	SWOnshore	WSWOnshore	SWOnshore	WSWOnshore	SWGlassy	SWGlassy	WSWOnshore	WOnshore	WOnshore	WNWCross-on	WNWCross-on	NWCross-on	NNWCross	NNWCross	WNWCross-on	WNWCross-on	WNWCross-on	NWCross-on	NWCross-on	NNWCross	NNWCross	NWCross-on	WNWCross-on	WNWCross-on	WNWCross-on	NWCross-on	NWCross-on

Tourmaline is a well-known surf spot in San Diego County, on the Pacific coast of California, in the Pacific Beach area of San Diego. It’s especially popular as a longboard and beginner-friendly break, with a laid-back local scene and relatively easy access from the city.

Surf character

Wave type: Mostly a beach break with some sandbar variation.
Best for: Beginners, intermediates, and longboarders.
Wave shape: Often mellow, soft, and rolling rather than steep and powerful.
Consistency: Fairly reliable for Southern California standards, though conditions can be small or weak at times.

Conditions

Swell exposure: Works best on medium-size south swells and certain northwest swells, depending on sand conditions.
Wind: Offshore or light morning winds are usually best; onshore winds can make it choppy.
Tide: Often better on a mid tide, though it can work at different tides depending on sandbar setup.

Crowd and vibe

Crowds: Can get crowded, especially because it’s accessible and beginner-friendly.
Atmosphere: Friendly, mellow, and heavily associated with a classic San Diego surf culture.
Skill mix: Expect a mix of learners, longboarders, and local regulars.

Nearby features

Location: Near the Ocean Beach / Pacific Beach area, with a seawall and beach access nearby.
Landmarks: The area is known for the Tourmaline Surfing Park and a strong community surf history.

Best time to surf

Morning sessions are often best due to cleaner wind.
Smaller to moderate surf tends to be ideal for the spot’s style.

Summary

Tourmaline is a classic San Diego surf break that’s best known for its approachable, forgiving waves and relaxed longboard-friendly feel. It’s a great place for newer surfers to learn and for experienced surfers looking for fun, cruisy waves.