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)	0.8	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-on	SSWGlassy	SSWCross-on	SWOnshore	SWOnshore	WSWOnshore	WOnshore	WNWCross-on	WOnshore	WOnshore	SSWCross-on	SWCross-on	SWOnshore	WSWOnshore	WSWOnshore	SWGlassy	SSWCross-on	SSWCross-on	SCross-on	SSWCross-on	SWOnshore	SWOnshore	SWOnshore	SCross-on	SSWCross-on	SSWCross-on	SGlassy	SWCross-on	SWOnshore	SWOnshore	SWOnshore	WGlassy	WGlassy	WNWGlassy	WNWGlassy	WSWOnshore	WOnshore	WNWCross-on	WNWCross-on	NWCross-on	NWCross-on	NWCross-on	NWCross-on	WNWCross-on	WNWCross-on	WNWCross-on	NWCross-on	NWCross	NNWCross	NWCross	NNWCross	NWCross-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.