Northern California
Conditions stay similar this week — check the hourly forecast at Dillon Beach for the cleanest windows.
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Dillon Beach, Northern 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: 1–2ft, 19s period, rated Poor. Not the most exciting day — 1ft and poor conditions with glassy conditions. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 6mph.
Thu, Jun 25: 1–1ft, 17s period, rated Poor. Not the most exciting day — 1ft and poor conditions with gentle SW breeze. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 20mph.
Fri, Jun 26: 1–1ft, 14s period, rated Very Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 1ft and mostly poor with 17mph out of the WNW.
Sat, Jun 27: 1–1ft, 18s period, rated Very Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 1ft and mostly poor with 10mph WNW winds. Afternoon breeze fills in to 19mph.
Sun, Jun 28: 1–1ft, 9s period, rated Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 1ft and mostly poor with calm winds. Expect the wind to bump up to around 16mph by PM.
Dillon Beach is a remote and scenic Northern California surf spot tucked near the mouth of Tomales Bay, where the beach faces nearly due west and picks up consistent northwest and west swells rolling in off the Pacific. The waves here are typically punchy and fast-breaking beach break, with conditions varying from mellow rollers ideal for intermediate surfers to powerful, hollow sections during larger northwest swells in fall and winter. Its relative isolation along the Northern California coast keeps crowds minimal, rewarding those willing to make the drive with uncrowded lineups and a raw, rugged coastal atmosphere.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Dillon Beach is 1ft with a 17.45s swell period. Wind is W at 11mph 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 Dillon Beach is 1ft, produced by a 2ft WNW primary swell at 6s, a 1.2ft SSW secondary swell at 14s, a 1ft SW tertiary swell at 17s. 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 Dillon Beach is Sunday from 11 AM to 2 PM with 1ft waves, a 8.55s swell period, and conditions rated Poor. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Dillon Beach works best with a W 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 Dillon Beach. 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.
Dillon Beach is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to intermediate surfers. Dillon Beach is a remote and scenic Northern California surf spot tucked near the mouth of Tomales Bay, where the beach faces nearly due west and picks up consistent northwest and west swells rolling in off the Pacific. The waves here are typically punchy and fast-breaking beach break, with conditions varying from mellow rollers ideal for intermediate surfers to powerful, hollow sections during larger northwest swells in fall and winter. Its relative isolation along the Northern California coast keeps crowds minimal, rewarding those willing to make the drive with uncrowded lineups and a raw, rugged coastal atmosphere.
The prime season at Dillon Beach 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 Dillon Beach include strong currents, cold water, rip currents, sharks, shore break, fog. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Dillon Beach 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.
