San Diego County, California
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Scripps Pier/La Jolla, 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. Not the most exciting day — 1-2ft and poor conditions with 7mph W winds.
Mon, May 11: 1–2ft, 18s period, rated Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 1-2ft and mostly poor with gentle WNW breeze.
Tue, May 12: 1–2ft, 16s period, rated Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 1-2ft and mostly poor with gentle WSW breeze. Afternoon breeze fills in to 8mph.
Wed, May 13: 1–2ft, 15s period, rated Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 1-2ft and mostly poor with calm winds. Expect the wind to bump up to around 10mph by PM.
Thu, May 14: 1–2ft, 16s period, rated Poor. A slow one — 0-1ft waves and poor conditions with light W winds. Afternoon breeze fills in to 11mph.
Free, simple, and takes 30 seconds.
Scripps Pier in La Jolla offers accessible beach break waves in a scenic rocky cove setting, with the iconic pier providing a reference point and some protection from larger swells. The sandy bottom and gentle slopes make this a friendly option for learning, though conditions can be inconsistent due to the sheltered nature of the bay. This spot works best during autumn south-southwest swells combined with offshore northwest winds that clean up the face.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Scripps Pier/La Jolla is 1-2ft with a 17.65s swell period. Wind is W at 7mph 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 Scripps Pier/La Jolla is 1-2ft, produced by a 1.5ft W primary swell at 6s, a 1.5ft SSW secondary swell at 18s, a 0.7ft 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 Scripps Pier/La Jolla is Monday from 2 PM to 5 PM with 2ft waves, a 15.55s swell period, and conditions rated Poor. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Scripps Pier/La Jolla works best with a SSW 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 Scripps Pier/La Jolla. 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.
Scripps Pier/La Jolla is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. Scripps Pier in La Jolla offers accessible beach break waves in a scenic rocky cove setting, with the iconic pier providing a reference point and some protection from larger swells. The sandy bottom and gentle slopes make this a friendly option for learning, though conditions can be inconsistent due to the sheltered nature of the bay. This spot works best during autumn south-southwest swells combined with offshore northwest winds that clean up the face.
The prime season at Scripps Pier/La Jolla 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 Scripps Pier/La Jolla include rocks, pier pilings, variable currents, crowded during summer. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Scripps Pier/La Jolla 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.
