Northern California Surf Forecast
Surf forecast for Northern California — Bay Area beaches and the central coast. North Pacific winter swells and cold water year-round.
Northern California's coast — from Half Moon Bay north through Mendocino — faces open Pacific with no offshore islands to block winter storms. North Pacific winter swells (Nov–Mar) arrive at full force, producing some of the biggest rideable waves on Earth (Mavericks, just outside Half Moon Bay). Summer brings smaller, cleaner conditions.
The coastline is rugged and oriented mostly west — exposed to W and NW swells. South swells are rare and refract heavily; the region's surf is mostly fed by winter storms in the Gulf of Alaska and Aleutians. Long-period ground swells (15+ s) are common in winter.
Water is cold year-round — low 50s °F in winter, peaking only at low 60s in late summer. A 4/3 fullsuit is the minimum for most surfers; many wear 5/4 with hood and booties through winter. White sharks are present in higher numbers than further south, though attacks remain rare.