Beach report: San Diego County coast
NWS alert: Beach Hazards Statement. Beach Hazards Statement issued October 6 at 1:27am PDT until October 9 at 11:00pm PDT by NWS San Diego CA
NWS alert: Coastal Flood Advisory. Coastal Flood Advisory issued October 6 at 1:27am PDT until October 9 at 11:00am PDT by NWS San Diego CA
| Day | Rip current risk | Surf | Water | Swell |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tue Oct 6 | Moderate | 2 to 4 feet | 68 to 72 degrees | Mixed swell from 300 and 210 degrees |
| Wed Oct 7 | Moderate | 2 to 4 feet. Sets to 5 feet | Mixed swell from 200 and 280 degrees |
From the National Weather Service San Diego surf zone forecast, issued 1:28am Tue Oct 6. Low: life-threatening rip currents unlikely but still possible; moderate: possible; high: likely. NWS surf forecast.
Closed: Grandview Beach access, Leucadia. The City of Encinitas closed the Grandview stairs on Sept 18 after a bluff failure, with concern about more failures within 300 feet of the stairs. No reopening date yet; the City points beachgoers to Beacon's or Ponto instead. Text PJ which access to use instead.
Official: City of Encinitas: Bluff Failures (report one: Encinitas Fire, 760-633-2800); also reported by North Coast Current · FOX 5. Checked Oct 5, 2026.
King tides this season (California Coastal Commission, statewide): Nov 24-26; Dec 23-25; Jan 21-22. The highest one NOAA predicts at La Jolla, the closest tide station to Solana Beach: Thursday Dec 24 at 8:23am, 7.1 ft. The same days bring some of the lowest tides of the year in the afternoon, the best tide pooling of the season.
King tide days, high and low
| Day | Highest tide | Lowest tide | Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tue Nov 24 | 7:48am, 6.9 ft | 3:06pm, -1.4 ft (daylight) | 4:43pm |
| Wed Nov 25 | 8:29am, 7.0 ft | 3:55pm, -1.5 ft (daylight) | 4:42pm |
| Thu Nov 26 | 9:15am, 6.8 ft | 4:46pm, -1.4 ft | 4:42pm |
| Wed Dec 23 | 7:36am, 7.0 ft | 3:02pm, -1.8 ft (daylight) | 4:47pm |
| Thu Dec 24 | 8:23am, 7.1 ft | 3:47pm, -1.9 ft (daylight) | 4:47pm |
| Fri Dec 25 | 9:11am, 7.0 ft | 4:33pm, -1.7 ft (daylight) | 4:48pm |
| Thu Jan 21 | 7:32am, 6.9 ft | 2:48pm, -1.9 ft (daylight) | 5:10pm |
| Fri Jan 22 | 8:19am, 6.9 ft | 3:27pm, -1.9 ft (daylight) | 5:11pm |
Heights in feet above mean lower low water (MLLW) at NOAA station 9410230, La Jolla. Sunset at Fletcher Cove.
Best daylight tide pooling, the next six months
| Day | Low tide | Height | Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wed Dec 23 | 3:02pm | -1.8 ft | 4:47pm |
| Thu Dec 24 | 3:47pm | -1.9 ft | 4:47pm |
| Fri Dec 25 | 4:33pm | -1.7 ft | 4:48pm |
| Wed Jan 20 | 2:08pm | -1.7 ft | 5:09pm |
| Thu Jan 21 | 2:48pm | -1.9 ft | 5:10pm |
| Fri Jan 22 | 3:27pm | -1.9 ft | 5:11pm |
| Sat Jan 23 | 4:05pm | -1.6 ft | 5:12pm |
| Fri Feb 19 | 2:24pm | -1.6 ft | 5:37pm |
The lowest predicted low tides that fall in daylight (at least 30 minutes after sunrise and 15 minutes before sunset). Go about an hour before the low.
On the beach
At high water, give the bluffs room: stay off the sand at the bluff base and watch the sets. The Coastal Commission's King Tides Project asks people to photograph the high water and share it, to show what sea level rise will look like. Your own beach day, any day: Beach Day Picker · tide-pool access at Tide Beach Park and Swami's · tides and surf this week.
Sources: California King Tides Project, NOAA Tides and Currents (station 9410230).
King tide morning, handled
Coffee and breakfast burritos brought down to Fletcher Cove for the high water: PJ does one-stop errands for $35 a stop in Solana Beach, Del Mar and Cardiff (things, not passengers). Text PJ.
Need a human?
This page is built every morning from public data by SideGuy, run by PJ, a local in Solana Beach. If something looks off, or you want a hand with your plans, text PJ at 858-461-8054. A real person answers.
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Questions people ask
When are the king tides in Solana Beach?
The California Coastal Commission's statewide king tide dates this season are Nov 24-26; Dec 23-25; Jan 21-22. NOAA's highest predicted tide at La Jolla is Thursday December 24 at 8:23am, 7.1 feet.
What time is the king tide?
In the mornings: see the table for each day's highest tide time and height from NOAA.
When is the best tide pooling?
On the king tide days the afternoon low tides drop below zero, and the table of daylight lows lists the best days for the next six months. Go about an hour before the low.
Know someone who needs this?
Something changed here? Text PJ and we'll update this page.
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