San Diego County, California
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.
Sun, May 10: 1–2ft, 18s period, rated Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 1-2ft and mostly poor with moderate W wind around 8mph.
Mon, May 11: 1–2ft, 18s period, rated Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 1-2ft and mostly poor with light WNW winds.
Tue, May 12: 1–2ft, 16s period, rated Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 1-2ft and mostly poor with glassy conditions. Afternoon breeze fills in to 10mph.
Wed, May 13: 0–1ft, 15s period, rated Very Poor. Not the most exciting day — 0-1ft and very poor conditions with barely a breath of wind. Expect the wind to bump up to around 9mph by PM.
Thu, May 14: 0–1ft, 16s period, rated Very Poor. Slim pickings today — 0-1ft and very poor with barely a breath of wind. Afternoon breeze fills in to 11mph.
Free, simple, and takes 30 seconds.
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 1-2ft with a 17.65s swell period. Wind is W at 8mph 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 Beacons is 1-2ft, produced by a 1.5ft W primary swell at 6s, a 1.4ft SSW secondary swell at 18s, a 0.8ft S tertiary swell at 13s. 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 Monday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 1ft waves, a 16.45s swell period, and conditions rated Poor. 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. See the forecast accuracy card above for per-spot and regional performance metrics.
