Northern California
Best window·Monday 6AM–9AM·4ft·Fair
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Pacifica Pier, 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: 2–3ft, 19s period, rated Poor. Slim pickings today — 2-3ft and poor with glassy conditions.
Thu, Jun 25: 2–3ft, 18s period, rated Very Poor. Slim pickings today — 3-4ft and poor with strong WSW wind at 13mph.
Fri, Jun 26: 2–3ft, 16s period, rated Poor. A slow one — 2ft waves and very poor conditions with strong WNW wind at 17mph.
Sat, Jun 27: 2–3ft, 18s period, rated Very Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 2ft and mostly poor with 13mph out of the WNW. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 19mph.
Sun, Jun 28: 3–4ft, 17s period, rated Fair. Get out early for the best of it — 3-4ft waves on WSW swell at 14s and barely a breath of wind. Onshore flow builds through the day to 16mph, bringing conditions down to poor - fair.
Pacifica Pier is a mellow beach break located just south of San Francisco, offering consistent, peeling waves that are perfect for learning surfers and those looking for an easy session. The sandy bottom provides a forgiving surface, and the pier itself creates some interesting channeling effects that can help organize swell during smaller days. The spot works best during fall and winter when larger Pacific swells arrive, though it's accessible year-round due to its protected position on the northern California coast.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Pacifica Pier is 2-3+ft with a 17.5s swell period. Wind is W at 13mph 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 Pacifica Pier is 2-3+ft, produced by a 1.7ft WNW primary swell at 6s, a 1.6ft SSW secondary swell at 18s, a 1.6ft SSW tertiary swell at 14s. 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 Pacifica Pier is Monday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 4ft waves, a 8.8s swell period, and conditions rated Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Pacifica Pier 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 Pacifica Pier. 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.
Pacifica Pier is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. Pacifica Pier is a mellow beach break located just south of San Francisco, offering consistent, peeling waves that are perfect for learning surfers and those looking for an easy session. The sandy bottom provides a forgiving surface, and the pier itself creates some interesting channeling effects that can help organize swell during smaller days. The spot works best during fall and winter when larger Pacific swells arrive, though it's accessible year-round due to its protected position on the northern California coast.
The prime season at Pacifica Pier 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 Pacifica Pier include pier pilings, occasional rip currents, fog, cold water. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Pacifica Pier 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.
