Orange County, California
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Aliso Creek, Orange County, California. Each day is rated based on breaking wave height, swell period, and wind — updated hourly from the latest NOAA GFS run.
Sun, May 10: 1–2ft, 18s period, rated Poor. Not the most exciting day — 1-2ft and poor conditions with 7mph WSW winds.
Mon, May 11: 1–2ft, 18s period, rated Poor. Slim pickings today — 1-2ft and poor with light NW winds.
Tue, May 12: 1–2ft, 16s period, rated Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 1-2ft and mostly poor with gentle S breeze. Afternoon breeze fills in to 8mph.
Wed, May 13: 0–1ft, 15s period, rated Poor. Not the most exciting day — 1-2ft and poor conditions with gentle SE breeze. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 9mph.
Thu, May 14: 0–1ft, 16s period, rated Very Poor. Slim pickings today — 0-1ft and very poor with light SE winds. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 9mph.
Free, simple, and takes 30 seconds.
Aliso Creek is a sandy beach break in Laguna Beach that offers mellow, forgiving waves ideal for learning and progression. The beach's protected cove setup creates consistent peaks during Southern Hemisphere swells, with the creek mouth adding a unique freshwater character to the lineup. The gentle slopes and sandy bottom make it a welcoming spot for surfers of all levels looking to escape the more crowded Orange County breaks nearby.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Aliso Creek is 1-2ft with a 17.75s swell period. Wind is W at 7mph and conditions are rated Poor. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
The current breaking wave height at Aliso Creek is 1-2ft, produced by a 1.4ft SSW primary swell at 18s, a 1ft W secondary swell at 6s, a 0.9ft S tertiary swell at 14s. Breaking wave height is the actual rideable wave size at the shore — calculated from offshore swell data using this spot's coastal bathymetry — not the raw buoy reading.
Based on the current 5-day forecast, the best window to surf Aliso Creek is Friday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 2ft waves, a 14.45s swell period, and conditions rated Poor. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Aliso Creek works best with a S swell and NE winds. Offshore winds groom the face of the wave, while onshore winds turn it sloppy. Cross-offshore conditions usually produce the cleanest shape.
Tide plays a big role at Aliso Creek. Mid tide works for most beach breaks, while reef and point breaks often prefer higher or lower stages. Use the tide chart above to line up your session with the swell peak.
Aliso Creek is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. Aliso Creek is a sandy beach break in Laguna Beach that offers mellow, forgiving waves ideal for learning and progression. The beach's protected cove setup creates consistent peaks during Southern Hemisphere swells, with the creek mouth adding a unique freshwater character to the lineup. The gentle slopes and sandy bottom make it a welcoming spot for surfers of all levels looking to escape the more crowded Orange County breaks nearby.
The prime season at Aliso Creek is fall, when swell direction, wind patterns, and water temps line up most consistently. Outside the peak season you can still score, but you'll need to watch the forecast closely for the right windows.
Common hazards at Aliso Creek include creek currents, occasional rip currents. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Aliso Creek forecast uses NOAA GFS and other weather models combined with spot-specific bathymetry to calculate breaking wave heights. Short-range (1-3 day) forecasts are most reliable. Extended forecasts show general trends. See the forecast accuracy card above for per-spot and regional performance metrics.
