Northern California
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.
Sun, May 10: 4–5ft, 11s period, rated Fair. 3-4ft waves to start the day on WNW swell at 9s.
Mon, May 11: 4–5ft, 17s period, rated Poor - Fair. Not the most exciting day — 4-5ft and poor - fair conditions with moderate SSW wind around 10mph.
Tue, May 12: 3–4ft, 16s period, rated Fair. Get out early for the best of it — 3-4ft waves on WNW swell at 11s and light winds out of the WSW. Onshore flow builds through the day to 10mph, bringing conditions down to poor - fair.
Wed, May 13: 3–4ft, 15s period, rated Poor - Fair. Get out early for the best of it — 2-3ft waves on W swell at 12s and gentle S breeze. The W wind kicks in by afternoon — 9mph and poor - fair by then.
Thu, May 14: 3–4ft, 13s period, rated Poor - Fair. First light looks cleanest — 3-4ft on W swell at 11s with barely a breath of wind. The W wind kicks in by afternoon — 12mph and poor - fair by then.
Free, simple, and takes 30 seconds.
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 3-4ft with a 10.55s swell period. Wind is WNW at 9mph and conditions are rated Fair. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
The current breaking wave height at Linda Mar / Pacifica is 3-4ft, produced by a 4.5ft WNW primary swell at 10s, a 1.2ft SW secondary swell at 16s, a 1ft SW tertiary swell at 19s. 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 Sunday from 3 PM to 6 PM with 5ft waves, a 8.25s 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. See the forecast accuracy card above for per-spot and regional performance metrics.
