San Diego County, California
Conditions stay similar this week — check the hourly forecast at Beacons for the cleanest windows.
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Beacons, San Diego County, California. Each day is rated based on breaking wave height, swell period, and wind — updated hourly from the latest NOAA GFS run.
Wed, Jun 24: 2–3ft, 18s period, rated Poor - Fair. First light looks cleanest — 2-3ft on SSW swell at 14s with glassy conditions. Things get a bit scrappier as the day goes on.
Thu, Jun 25: 2–2ft, 17s period, rated Poor - Fair. Early morning is your best window — 2ft waves on SSW swell at 16s with light WNW winds. It gets a bit messier later in the day.
Fri, Jun 26: 2–2ft, 15s period, rated Poor - Fair. First light looks cleanest — 2ft on SSW swell at 14s with barely a breath of wind. The WSW wind kicks in by afternoon — 10mph and poor by then.
Sat, Jun 27: 2–2ft, 18s period, rated Poor. Slim pickings today — 2ft and poor with 9mph S winds.
Sun, Jun 28: 2–2ft, 17s period, rated Poor. Get out early for the best of it — 2ft waves on WSW swell at 9s and light winds out of the SW. Onshore flow builds through the day to 12mph, bringing conditions down to poor.
Beacons is a mellow beach break located in San Diego County that offers accessible, rolling waves ideal for beginners and intermediate surfers. The sandy bottom provides a forgiving surface and the ENE-facing beach orientation captures most Pacific swells while remaining protected from westerly winds. This spot works best during fall and winter swells when Southern California sees consistent energy, making it a reliable local favorite for progression and fun sessions.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Beacons is 2ft with a 16.8s swell period. Wind is WNW at 7mph and conditions are rated Poor - Fair. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
The current breaking wave height at Beacons is 2ft, produced by a 2.4ft SSW primary swell at 17s, a 0.8ft W wind swell swell at 4s. 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 Beacons is Thursday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 2ft waves, a 15.85s swell period, and conditions rated Poor - Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Beacons works best with a SW swell and E 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 Beacons. 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.
Beacons is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. Beacons is a mellow beach break located in San Diego County that offers accessible, rolling waves ideal for beginners and intermediate surfers. The sandy bottom provides a forgiving surface and the ENE-facing beach orientation captures most Pacific swells while remaining protected from westerly winds. This spot works best during fall and winter swells when Southern California sees consistent energy, making it a reliable local favorite for progression and fun sessions.
The prime season at Beacons 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.
Every surf spot has its own hazards — rocks, rip currents, crowds, marine life, or changing tides. Before paddling out at Beacons, watch the break for 10–15 minutes, talk to locals when you can, and never surf beyond your ability level.
Our Beacons 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. Visit /public/accuracy for per-spot and regional performance metrics.
