Northern California
Best window·Monday 6AM–9AM·3ft·Fair
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Linda Mar / Pacifica, 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. A slow one — 1ft waves and poor conditions with calm winds. Afternoon breeze fills in to 6mph.
Thu, Jun 25: 1–2ft, 17s period, rated Poor. Get out early for the best of it — 1-2ft waves on WNW swell at 8s and 13mph SSW winds. Things get a bit scrappier as the day goes on.
Fri, Jun 26: 2–2ft, 15s period, rated Poor - Fair. Midday is the call — 2ft waves with 9mph W winds and poor - fair conditions. Morning is a bit bumpy but things clean up by late morning.
Sat, Jun 27: 1–2ft, 18s period, rated Very Poor. A slow one — 1-2ft waves and poor conditions with 13mph WNW winds.
Sun, Jun 28: 2–3ft, 9s period, rated Poor - Fair. Aim for the middle of the day — 2-3ft on WNW swell at 8s with light winds out of the NNW. Early on is a little rough — give it until mid-morning to shape up. Sea breeze fills back in by mid-afternoon so get on it early.
Linda Mar is the Bay Area's premier learn-to-surf spot, a mile-long west-facing beach break with soft, rolling waves that rarely exceed overhead. The Pacifica valley uniquely funnels south and SE winds offshore, so Linda Mar stays clean when nearby Ocean Beach is blown out. Expect packed lineups on weekends with 50+ surfers and multiple surf schools, but the friendly, forgiving waves and sandy bottom make it ideal for beginners. Pedro Point at the south end offers a rocky left for advanced surfers.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Linda Mar / Pacifica is 1ft with a 17.3s swell period. Wind is WSW 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 Linda Mar / Pacifica is 1ft, produced by a 1.7ft WNW primary swell at 6s, a 1.6ft SSW secondary swell at 14s, a 1.6ft SSW 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 Linda Mar / Pacifica is Monday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 3ft waves, a 8.95s swell period, and conditions rated Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Linda Mar / Pacifica works best with a WNW swell and SE 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 Linda Mar / Pacifica. 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.
Linda Mar / Pacifica is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. Linda Mar is the Bay Area's premier learn-to-surf spot, a mile-long west-facing beach break with soft, rolling waves that rarely exceed overhead. The Pacifica valley uniquely funnels south and SE winds offshore, so Linda Mar stays clean when nearby Ocean Beach is blown out. Expect packed lineups on weekends with 50+ surfers and multiple surf schools, but the friendly, forgiving waves and sandy bottom make it ideal for beginners. Pedro Point at the south end offers a rocky left for advanced surfers.
The prime season at Linda Mar / Pacifica 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 Linda Mar / Pacifica include crowds, surf schools, cold water, rocks at north and south ends, rip currents. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Linda Mar / Pacifica 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.
