Pacific Beach surf guide

Point / reef / Intermediate

Pacific Beach Point

Also searched as: PB Point

The point proper south of Tourmaline.

Reported direction

Right-dominant

General swell window

W–NW

Reported tide preference

Low–mid

Bottom

Rock / reef

More localized and somewhat more performance-oriented than the mellow Tourmaline vibe.

Things to check: Currents, crowding, submerged rock or cobble, water-quality changes after rain, and shifting bars.

Location: Approximate imported surf-zone pin — verify locally. Public access. Check current access independently.

Beach / Intermediate

Law Street

A well-known Pacific Beach peak with broad public appeal.

Reported direction

Left & right

General swell window

SW–NW

Reported tide preference

Low–mid

Bottom

Sand

This entry is mapped as a searchable surf zone rather than a claim of one frozen takeoff. Expect shifts with sand, tide, swell angle and crowd pressure.

Things to check: Currents, crowding, submerged rock or cobble, water-quality changes after rain, and shifting bars.

Location: Approximate imported surf-zone pin — verify locally. Public access. Check current access independently.

Pier / beach / Intermediate

Crystal Pier North

The north side of Crystal Pier.

Reported direction

Left & right

General swell window

S–NW

Reported tide preference

Low–mid

Bottom

Sand; pier pilings

This entry is mapped as a searchable surf zone rather than a claim of one frozen takeoff. Expect shifts with sand, tide, swell angle and crowd pressure.

Things to check: Pilings, sweep and crowding.

Location: Approximate imported surf-zone pin — verify locally. Public access. Check current access independently.

Pier / beach / Intermediate

Crystal Pier South

The south side of Crystal Pier.

Reported direction

Left & right

General swell window

S–NW

Reported tide preference

Low–mid

Bottom

Sand; pier pilings

This entry is mapped as a searchable surf zone rather than a claim of one frozen takeoff. Expect shifts with sand, tide, swell angle and crowd pressure.

Things to check: Pilings, shorebreak and crowding.

Location: Approximate imported surf-zone pin — verify locally. Public access. Check current access independently.

Beach / Intermediate

PB Drive

Also searched as: Pacific Beach Drive

The open beach south of Crystal Pier.

Reported direction

Left & right

General swell window

SW–NW

Reported tide preference

Low–mid

Bottom

Sand

This entry is mapped as a searchable surf zone rather than a claim of one frozen takeoff. Expect shifts with sand, tide, swell angle and crowd pressure.

Things to check: Currents, crowding, submerged rock or cobble, water-quality changes after rain, and shifting bars.

Location: Approximate imported surf-zone pin — verify locally. Public access. Check current access independently.

Beach / Intermediate

Reed Street

A lower-key PB beachbreak marker.

Reported direction

Left & right

General swell window

SW–NW

Reported tide preference

Low–mid

Bottom

Sand

This entry is mapped as a searchable surf zone rather than a claim of one frozen takeoff. Expect shifts with sand, tide, swell angle and crowd pressure.

Things to check: Currents, crowding, submerged rock or cobble, water-quality changes after rain, and shifting bars.

Location: Approximate imported surf-zone pin — verify locally. Public access. Check current access independently.

Beach / Intermediate

South Pacific Beach

The southern PB stretch concluding this atlas.

Reported direction

Left & right

General swell window

SW–NW

Reported tide preference

Low–mid

Bottom

Sand

The formal endpoint is Pacific Beach, but this marker helps the atlas feel complete at the city-scale shoreline.

Things to check: Currents, crowding, submerged rock or cobble, water-quality changes after rain, and shifting bars.

Location: Approximate imported surf-zone pin — verify locally. Public access. Check current access independently.