Surf spot

Doran Beach

Forecast conditions and map view for Doran Beach in USA, California, Sonoma. Open the interactive surf map to inspect wind, waves, and nearby spots.

Country: USA, California, Sonoma
Coordinates: 38.3114, -123.0448

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	0.9	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.5	0.5	0.5	1	1.2	1.5	1.6	1.5	1.3	1	0.9	1.3	1.4	1.8	1.8	1.7	1.5	1.4	1.4	1.6	1.6	1.5	1.5	1.4	1.4	1.3	1.2	1.2	1.1	1	1	0.9	0.9	0.8	0.8	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.6	0.6	0.5	0.5	0.4	0.4
Wave direction	WNW	W	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	W	SW	SW	WSW	WSW	W	W	WNW	WNW	WNW	WNW	WNW	WNW	WNW	WNW	WNW	WNW	WNW	WNW	WNW	WNW	WNW	WNW	WNW	WNW	WNW	WNW	WNW	WNW	WNW	WNW	WNW	WNW	WNW	WNW	WNW	WNW	WNW	WNW	WNW	NW	NW	NW	NW	NW	NW	NW	NW	SSW
Wave period (s)	10.1	8.7	12.2	11.8	11.6	11.8	11.1	7.4	11.4	11.4	10.7	8.6	9.1	9.8	8.5	6.2	6	6.1	6.1	6.2	6.5	7.1	7.3	7.2	6.8	6.3	6.1	6	6.3	6.3	6.2	5.8	5.9	6	6.2	6.3	6.3	6.3	6.2	6.2	6.1	6	6	6	6	6	5.9	6.3	5.9	5.9	5.9	5.9	6.3	6.6	6.7	9.3
Wave energy (kJ)	89	111	153	138	124	107	82	45	101	94	77	50	41	44	33	73	111	167	186	178	147	109	80	186	184	252	231	203	181	156	148	165	174	174	161	162	158	136	118	102	90	79	70	62	53	45	40	35	34	30	29	25	23	20	16	27
Wind speed (km/h)	7.4	5.6	1.9	17.7	29.7	27.3	22.4	14	13.7	10	7.4	18	34.6	32.1	18.4	7.4	5.1	4.1	1.1	10.8	13.3	18.3	10.2	4.4	4.7	6.8	3.6	8.2	8.4	9.2	3.9	4.3	7.5	5.6	5	13	10.8	9	3.4	4.6	4.7	4.8	4.3	10	11.5	9.4	5.2	3.3	2.6	3.1	3.1	11.1	15.5	19.8	13.9	3.6
Wind direction	NWCross	NWCross	WNWGlassy	WCross-on	WNWCross-on	WNWCross-on	WNWCross-on	NWCross	WNWCross	NWCross	NWCross	WNWCross-on	WNWCross-on	WNWCross-on	WNWCross	NNWCross-off	NCross-off	NEGlassy	ENEGlassy	WSWOnshore	WSWCross-on	WCross-on	NWCross	NGlassy	WNWGlassy	ENEOffshore	EGlassy	SSWOnshore	WSWOnshore	WSWOnshore	SSWGlassy	SEGlassy	SECross	ESECross	ECross-off	SCross-on	SSWOnshore	SSWOnshore	SSEGlassy	SEGlassy	SSEGlassy	SSEGlassy	SEGlassy	SSWOnshore	SWOnshore	WSWOnshore	WNWCross-on	WNWGlassy	NWGlassy	NWGlassy	NNWGlassy	WSWCross-on	WCross-on	WCross-on	WNWCross-on	NWGlassy

Doran Beach in Sonoma, California is a wide, sandy beach on the Sonoma Coast that can offer beginner-friendly to intermediate surf depending on conditions. It’s known more for its open beachbreak than for consistent, highly shaped waves.

Surf conditions

Wave type: Beachbreak
Best swell: Usually works with NW swells
Wind: Best with light offshore or calm winds
Consistency: Can be uneven and changeable
Wave quality: Often small to moderate, with occasional fun peaks when swell lines up

What it’s like to surf

The waves tend to be soft and forgiving, making it a decent spot for newer surfers when conditions are mellow.
On larger swells, it can get bigger and more powerful, with stronger currents and less predictable peaks.
Because it’s a beachbreak, the sandbars shift, so the spot can vary a lot from day to day.

Hazards and considerations

Strong currents and rips can develop, especially with larger surf.
Can be crowded at times because of its accessibility and campground nearby.
Water is cold year-round, so a wetsuit is essential.

Overall

Doran Beach is a relaxed Sonoma Coast surf spot that’s best when you want a low-key beachbreak session rather than perfectly groomed waves. It’s a good option for surfers who are comfortable reading shifting sandbars and variable conditions.