Surf spot

Salmon Creek

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

Country: USA, California, Sonoma
Coordinates: 38.3558, -123.0696

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)	0.6	0.9	0.8	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.6	0.6	0.7	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.9	1.2	1.5	1.7	1.4	1.3	0.9	0.8	1.3	1.3	1.7	1.7	1.6	1.5	1.4	1.3	1.6	1.6	1.6	1.5	1.5	1.4	1.3	1.2	1.2	1.1	1	1	0.9	0.8	0.8	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.6	0.6	0.5	0.5	0.4	0.4
Wave direction	WSW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	NW	NW	SSW	SSW	WNW	NW	WNW	WNW	WNW	WNW	WNW	WNW	W	WNW	W	WNW	WNW	WNW	WNW	NW	WNW	WNW	WNW	WNW	WNW	WNW	WNW	NW	NW	NW	NW	NW	NW	NW	NW	NW	NW	NW	NW	NW	NW	NW	NW	NW	NW	S
Wave period (s)	11.3	9.1	10.9	10.6	11.4	11.3	11.2	8.9	11.3	11.3	8.9	8.4	10.4	9.9	7.8	6.3	6.3	6.1	6	6.3	6.4	7.3	7.5	7.2	6.7	6.3	6.1	6	6.3	6.4	6.3	5.8	6	6	6.2	6.3	6.3	6.3	6.2	6.2	6.1	6.1	6.2	6	6.1	6.1	6.1	6.3	6.9	6.9	6	6	6.3	7.6	8.5	11.9
Wave energy (kJ)	99	122	153	115	128	111	90	65	110	98	50	51	59	50	36	62	116	167	195	165	138	93	71	178	159	233	215	197	172	152	143	168	186	178	166	167	163	140	118	102	90	80	74	62	53	45	41	38	44	41	29	26	24	27	28	50
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-on	NWCross-on	WNWGlassy	WOnshore	WNWOnshore	WNWOnshore	WNWOnshore	NWCross-on	WNWOnshore	NWCross-on	NWCross-on	WNWOnshore	WNWOnshore	WNWOnshore	WNWCross-on	NNWCross	NCross	NEGlassy	ENEGlassy	WSWOnshore	WSWOnshore	WOnshore	NWCross-on	NGlassy	WNWGlassy	ENEOffshore	EGlassy	SSWCross-on	WSWCross-on	WSWOnshore	SSWGlassy	SEGlassy	SECross-off	ESEOffshore	EOffshore	SCross	SSWCross-on	SSWCross-on	SSEGlassy	SEGlassy	SSEGlassy	SSEGlassy	SEGlassy	SSWCross-on	SWCross-on	WSWOnshore	WNWOnshore	WNWGlassy	NWGlassy	NWGlassy	NNWGlassy	WSWOnshore	WOnshore	WOnshore	WNWOnshore	NWGlassy

Salmon Creek (Sonoma County, California) is a rugged, scenic surf break along the Sonoma Coast, south of Bodega Bay. It’s known for its exposed beachbreak and reef influences, with waves that can be powerful and unpredictable, especially during larger NW swells.

Quick description

Type: Mostly beachbreak, with some reef/rock influence
Best swell: North to northwest swell
Best wind: Light offshore or calm conditions
Skill level: Intermediate to advanced
Atmosphere: Remote, natural, and usually less crowded than more famous California breaks

What it’s like

Salmon Creek often offers fast, punchy waves that can be fun when conditions line up, but the spot is very tide- and swell-sensitive. Sandbars shift frequently, so the quality can change from day to day. The coastline here is beautiful but exposed, with cold water, strong currents, and occasional shorebreak.

Things to know

Water temperature: Cold year-round; a full wetsuit is typically needed
Crowds: Usually moderate to low
Hazards: Rip currents, rocks, changing sandbars, and powerful winter surf
Access: Generally easy from the coast highway area, but conditions can look very different depending on tide and swell

Best for

Surfers looking for a less-developed Sonoma Coast wave with a scenic setting and a bit of raw Northern California character.