La Jolla Shores surf forecast

La Jolla Shores: 2 to 5 feet Sunday, knee to shoulder high; today 2 to 3; Tuesday 2 to 3. In the water there: 2.3 ft at 6 seconds from the WNW (282°) and 0.9 ft at 14 seconds from the W (266°). The tide: high 4.2 ft at 4:46 AM, then low 2.7 ft at 9:49 AM. Tucked behind Point La Jolla, so it is usually the smallest, gentlest stretch.

• Sunday: 2 to 5 ft, knee to shoulder high.
• Monday: 2 to 3 ft, knee to waist high; dawn wind offshore from the E, 5 mph.
• Tuesday: 2 to 3 ft, knee high; dawn wind cross-shore from the NE, 5 mph.
• A sand break facing WNW.

How it takes a swell

On a south swell the La Jolla Canyon, right off La Jolla Shores, bends the energy away from the beach and out toward the canyon's rims, leaving La Jolla Shores in a shadow. The longer the period, the deeper the shadow: on a long due-south groundswell it can be well under half the size of Black's a mile north. Point La Jolla blocks some of the south as well. A west or northwest gets in more freely, and that's when La Jolla Shores has its best days. On a short-period windswell the canyon has no effect, which is part of why La Jolla Shores is often surfable when everywhere else is too big. Soft beach break, rarely more than shoulder high before it closes out. Mid to high tide. Winds channeled through the canyon can pleasantly surprise with offshore conditions.

Who it's for

Beginners and surf schools. Plenty of lessons in the water. Not too crowded with some fun peaks if you know where to look.

Watch out for

Stingrays in the warm months: shuffle your feet. Kayaks, swimmers and lessons. Stay out of the lifeguards' swim zones.

Getting there

Kellogg Park's free lot fills by mid-morning; otherwise the streets nearby.

Also in South San Diego: Scripps Pier · Avalanche · Ocean Beach Pier

Surf from CDIP's nearshore points, wind from NOAA's HRRR and the National Weather Service, tides from NOAA. About · Privacy