2.8ft Hs
SSW from · 196° · 11.6 s
CALIFORNIA / San Diego County additions · guideSPOT / 557
Sunset Cliffs.
Sunset Cliffs is the umbrella
Left & right (reported)32.710° N / 117.260° W
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Forecast & tide at a glance
Regional wave height (Hs) · feet · Pacific time. Regional significant wave height is not the height breaking at the beach.
Regional wave height (Hs)3.9 ftOlder cached forecast Thu Oct 22, 3:00pm Pacific
Coastal wind10.8 mphW from · older cache
NOAA tide reference1.9 ftMLLW · San Diego
READ THE INDIVIDUAL SWELLS
Swell by swell.
Offshore component height (Hs), not surf-face height. Directions are where waves come from. Component heights do not add together.
Thu Oct 22, 3:00pm Pacific
MFWAM · 2 components
0.7ft Hs
W from · 278° · 2.2 s
GFS · all-zero feed unconfirmed
This model reports only zeros across its cached partition forecast while another model reports swell. This is not confirmation of flat surf. Check the other source or try refreshing later.
Each model supplies its own partitions. Missing components remain unavailable; another model’s primary swell is not automatically the same wave system.
Coastal wind retrieved Thu Oct 22, 10:25am · older cache. This is regional modeled wind, not a beach measurement.
Source retrievals: GFS Oct 22, 10:25am (older cache) · ECMWF Oct 22, 10:25am (older cache) · MFWAM Oct 22, 10:25am (older cache). Retrieval time is not the model issue time. This page combines all available cached model families; map model selections are separate.
Tide predictions: San Diego, 8 km reference; retrieved Thu Oct 22, 10:25am. Station predictions can differ locally.
Seven-day overview
| Pacific day | Regional wave height (Hs) | Mean wind | Hours available |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thu Oct 22 | 4.1 ft | 9.3 mph | 14/14 |
| Fri Oct 23 | 3.8 ft | 4.5 mph | 14/14 |
| Sat Oct 24 | 3.9 ft | 7.3 mph | 14/14 |
| Sun Oct 25 | 2.8 ft | 6.9 mph | 14/14 |
| Mon Oct 26 | 2.6 ft | 6.8 mph | 14/14 |
| Tue Oct 27 | 3.2 ft | 5.8 mph | 14/14 |
| Wed Oct 28 | 2.7 ft | 6.0 mph | 14/14 |
Hourly details · next 72 hours
| Pacific time | Regional wave height (Hs) | Model range | Swell from | Wind | Tide MLLW | Models |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thu 3:00pm | 3.9 ft | 3.9–3.9 ft | SW · 10.2 s | 10.8 mph W | 1.9 ft | 2 |
| Thu 4:00pm | 3.9 ft | 3.9–3.9 ft | SW · 10.2 s | 11.7 mph WNW | 2.7 ft | 2 |
| Thu 5:00pm | 3.9 ft | 3.9–3.9 ft | SW · 10.1 s | 11.6 mph W | 3.7 ft | 2 |
| Thu 6:00pm | 3.9 ft | 3.9–3.9 ft | SW · 10.1 s | 10.3 mph W | 4.5 ft | 2 |
| Thu 7:00pm | 3.9 ft | 3.9–3.9 ft | SW · 10.1 s | 9.4 mph W | 5.0 ft | 2 |
| Thu 8:00pm | 3.9 ft | 3.9–3.9 ft | SW · 10.1 s | 8.9 mph WNW | 5.0 ft | 2 |
| Thu 9:00pm | 3.9 ft | 3.9–3.9 ft | SW · 10.0 s | 7.4 mph WNW | 4.5 ft | 2 |
| Thu 10:00pm | 3.9 ft | 3.8–3.9 ft | SW · 10.0 s | 7.0 mph WNW | 3.6 ft | 2 |
| Thu 11:00pm | 3.9 ft | 3.8–3.9 ft | SW · 9.9 s | 8.1 mph WNW | 2.5 ft | 2 |
| Fri 12:00am | 3.8 ft | 3.7–3.9 ft | SW · 10.0 s | 7.7 mph WNW | 1.5 ft | 2 |
| Fri 1:00am | 3.8 ft | 3.7–3.9 ft | SW · 10.0 s | 8.1 mph WNW | 0.9 ft | 2 |
| Fri 2:00am | 3.8 ft | 3.7–3.9 ft | SW · 10.1 s | 7.9 mph WNW | 0.8 ft | 2 |
| Fri 3:00am | 3.7 ft | 3.6–3.9 ft | SW · 10.1 s | 6.2 mph W | 1.3 ft | 2 |
| Fri 4:00am | 3.7 ft | 3.5–3.8 ft | SW · 10.2 s | 6.6 mph W | 2.2 ft | 2 |
| Fri 5:00am | 3.6 ft | 3.5–3.8 ft | SW · 10.2 s | 6.1 mph NW | 3.5 ft | 2 |
| Fri 6:00am | 3.6 ft | 3.5–3.8 ft | SW · 10.2 s | 6.2 mph ESE | 4.7 ft | 2 |
| Fri 7:00am | 3.7 ft | 3.5–3.9 ft | SW · 10.3 s | 4.7 mph E | 5.5 ft | 2 |
| Fri 8:00am | 3.7 ft | 3.5–3.9 ft | SW · 10.3 s | 7.3 mph SE | 5.8 ft | 2 |
| Fri 9:00am | 3.7 ft | 3.5–3.9 ft | SW · 10.3 s | 8.9 mph ESE | 5.4 ft | 2 |
| Fri 10:00am | 3.7 ft | 3.5–3.9 ft | SW · 10.3 s | 8.0 mph ESE | 4.5 ft | 2 |
| Fri 11:00am | 3.7 ft | 3.5–3.9 ft | SW · 10.3 s | 4.5 mph SSE | 3.4 ft | 2 |
| Fri 12:00pm | 3.7 ft | 3.5–3.9 ft | SW · 10.3 s | 2.6 mph SE | 2.2 ft | 2 |
| Fri 1:00pm | 3.7 ft | 3.5–3.9 ft | SW · 10.2 s | 0.7 mph WSW | 1.2 ft | 2 |
| Fri 2:00pm | 3.7 ft | 3.5–3.9 ft | SW · 10.1 s | 1.5 mph WNW | 0.8 ft | 2 |
| Fri 3:00pm | 3.8 ft | 3.7–3.9 ft | WSW · 9.8 s | 3.5 mph WNW | 1.0 ft | 2 |
| Fri 4:00pm | 3.9 ft | 3.9–3.9 ft | WSW · 9.5 s | 2.2 mph WNW | 1.7 ft | 2 |
| Fri 5:00pm | 4.1 ft | 4.0–4.1 ft | WSW · 9.2 s | 2.9 mph W | 2.7 ft | 2 |
| Fri 6:00pm | 4.2 ft | 4.1–4.3 ft | WSW · 9.0 s | 5.1 mph WNW | 3.8 ft | 2 |
| Fri 7:00pm | 4.3 ft | 4.1–4.5 ft | WSW · 8.9 s | 5.5 mph NW | 4.7 ft | 2 |
| Fri 8:00pm | 4.4 ft | 4.2–4.6 ft | WSW · 8.8 s | 4.9 mph N | 5.1 ft | 2 |
| Fri 9:00pm | 4.4 ft | 4.3–4.6 ft | WSW · 8.8 s | 4.9 mph N | 4.9 ft | 2 |
| Fri 10:00pm | 4.5 ft | 4.4–4.6 ft | WSW · 8.8 s | 4.5 mph NNE | 4.2 ft | 2 |
| Fri 11:00pm | 4.5 ft | 4.5–4.6 ft | WSW · 8.8 s | 4.7 mph NE | 3.2 ft | 2 |
| Sat 12:00am | 4.5 ft | 4.5–4.5 ft | WSW · 8.8 s | 3.8 mph ENE | 2.1 ft | 2 |
| Sat 1:00am | 4.5 ft | 4.4–4.5 ft | WSW · 8.9 s | 2.4 mph NNE | 1.2 ft | 2 |
| Sat 2:00am | 4.4 ft | 4.3–4.5 ft | WSW · 8.9 s | 3.2 mph NNE | 0.9 ft | 2 |
| Sat 3:00am | 4.4 ft | 4.3–4.5 ft | WSW · 9.0 s | 3.7 mph SE | 1.1 ft | 2 |
| Sat 4:00am | 4.4 ft | 4.3–4.5 ft | WSW · 9.1 s | 4.5 mph NE | 2.0 ft | 2 |
| Sat 5:00am | 4.3 ft | 4.2–4.5 ft | WSW · 9.2 s | 4.4 mph NE | 3.2 ft | 2 |
| Sat 6:00am | 4.3 ft | 4.2–4.5 ft | WSW · 9.3 s | 2.1 mph ENE | 4.6 ft | 2 |
| Sat 7:00am | 4.3 ft | 4.1–4.4 ft | WSW · 9.3 s | 3.2 mph NW | 5.6 ft | 2 |
| Sat 8:00am | 4.3 ft | 4.1–4.4 ft | WSW · 9.4 s | 4.9 mph NNW | 6.2 ft | 2 |
| Sat 9:00am | 4.2 ft | 4.1–4.3 ft | WSW · 9.4 s | 6.2 mph NNW | 6.1 ft | 2 |
| Sat 10:00am | 4.1 ft | 3.9–4.3 ft | WSW · 9.5 s | 6.2 mph NNW | 5.3 ft | 2 |
| Sat 11:00am | 4.0 ft | 3.9–4.2 ft | WSW · 9.6 s | 6.2 mph NNW | 4.0 ft | 2 |
| Sat 12:00pm | 3.9 ft | 3.8–4.1 ft | WSW · 9.6 s | 7.0 mph NW | 2.6 ft | 2 |
| Sat 1:00pm | 3.8 ft | 3.7–4.0 ft | WSW · 9.7 s | 8.8 mph NW | 1.3 ft | 2 |
| Sat 2:00pm | 3.7 ft | 3.6–3.9 ft | WSW · 9.7 s | 10.1 mph NW | 0.4 ft | 2 |
| Sat 3:00pm | 3.7 ft | 3.5–3.8 ft | WSW · 9.8 s | 10.3 mph NW | 0.2 ft | 2 |
| Sat 4:00pm | 3.7 ft | 3.5–3.8 ft | WSW · 9.8 s | 10.5 mph NW | 0.6 ft | 2 |
| Sat 5:00pm | 3.6 ft | 3.5–3.7 ft | WSW · 9.8 s | 10.1 mph NW | 1.6 ft | 2 |
| Sat 6:00pm | 3.5 ft | 3.4–3.7 ft | WSW · 9.8 s | 8.7 mph NW | 2.8 ft | 2 |
| Sat 7:00pm | 3.5 ft | 3.3–3.7 ft | WSW · 9.9 s | 8.4 mph NW | 4.0 ft | 2 |
| Sat 8:00pm | 3.4 ft | 3.2–3.6 ft | WSW · 9.9 s | 8.6 mph NNW | 4.8 ft | 2 |
| Sat 9:00pm | 3.3 ft | 3.1–3.5 ft | WSW · 10.0 s | 8.5 mph NNW | 5.1 ft | 2 |
| Sat 10:00pm | 3.3 ft | 3.1–3.5 ft | WSW · 10.0 s | 9.0 mph NNW | 4.7 ft | 2 |
| Sat 11:00pm | 3.2 ft | 3.1–3.4 ft | WSW · 10.1 s | 8.9 mph NNW | 3.8 ft | 2 |
| Sun 12:00am | 3.2 ft | 3.1–3.3 ft | WSW · 10.1 s | 7.7 mph NNW | 2.8 ft | 2 |
| Sun 1:00am | 3.1 ft | 3.0–3.3 ft | WSW · 10.2 s | 7.3 mph NNW | 1.8 ft | 2 |
| Sun 2:00am | 3.1 ft | 3.0–3.2 ft | WSW · 10.3 s | 6.8 mph NNW | 1.2 ft | 2 |
| Sun 3:00am | 3.1 ft | 3.0–3.1 ft | WSW · 10.3 s | 6.3 mph N | 1.2 ft | 2 |
| Sun 4:00am | 3.0 ft | 2.9–3.1 ft | WSW · 10.3 s | 5.4 mph N | 1.8 ft | 2 |
| Sun 5:00am | 3.0 ft | 2.8–3.1 ft | WSW · 10.4 s | 4.1 mph NNE | 2.9 ft | 2 |
| Sun 6:00am | 2.9 ft | 2.8–3.0 ft | WSW · 10.5 s | 3.4 mph N | 4.3 ft | 2 |
| Sun 7:00am | 2.9 ft | 2.8–3.0 ft | WSW · 10.6 s | 2.9 mph N | 5.6 ft | 2 |
| Sun 8:00am | 2.8 ft | 2.7–3.0 ft | WSW · 10.7 s | 2.5 mph N | 6.4 ft | 2 |
| Sun 9:00am | 2.8 ft | 2.6–3.0 ft | WSW · 10.7 s | 2.2 mph N | 6.7 ft | 2 |
| Sun 10:00am | 2.8 ft | 2.6–2.9 ft | WSW · 10.8 s | 3.6 mph N | 6.1 ft | 2 |
| Sun 11:00am | 2.7 ft | 2.6–2.9 ft | SW · 10.8 s | 3.7 mph NNW | 4.9 ft | 2 |
| Sun 12:00pm | 2.7 ft | 2.6–2.9 ft | SW · 10.8 s | 5.2 mph WNW | 3.3 ft | 2 |
| Sun 1:00pm | 2.7 ft | 2.6–2.8 ft | WSW · 10.7 s | 7.9 mph WNW | 1.8 ft | 2 |
| Sun 2:00pm | 2.7 ft | 2.6–2.8 ft | WSW · 10.5 s | 11.5 mph WNW | 0.5 ft | 2 |
| Sun 3:00pm | 2.8 ft | 2.7–2.8 ft | WSW · 10.3 s | 10.8 mph NW | -0.3 ft | 2 |
Model spread is not a confidence interval. Tide and wind are context, not new corrections to surf size. Larger sets and changing hazards remain possible.
This page reads the shared cache first. Refresh requests only this spot’s existing regional samples.
Know the spot
Sunset Cliffs is a broad reef-coast entry, while Garbage and Pescadero / Pesky have separate pages.
- Break type
- Reef break (reported)
- Wave direction
- Left & right (reported)
- Reported difficulty
- Not yet verified
- Bottom
- Rock / reef (guide classification)
- Reported swell preference
- W (published preference; not an exclusive window)
- Reported tide preference
- low tide (published preference)
Catalogue notes and review history
Statewide research draft / San Diego County. Approximate directory-area search seed: 32.71, -117.26. NOT a verified takeoff. Umbrella for multiple named breaks, not a single takeoff. Individual entries such as Garbage and Pescadero must be related rather than double-counted as equivalent sites.
Statewide recovery: source-area coordinates are not owner-confirmed takeoffs. Sources may round or obscure positions. Named sections may share a reference coordinate; their distinct takeoffs are not implied. No route, access permission or current ocean condition is established. Source note: Research batch: california-coast-expansion-20260927. Public reference checked 27 September 2026. Approximate directory-area search seed: 32.71, -117.26. NOT a verified takeoff.
https://www.surf-forecast.com/breaks/Sunset-Cliffs/forecasts/latest/six_day
The reference was retained from the interrupted 27 September research pass; not every individual page was rechecked on 28 September. The source location is approximate, not a surveyed takeoff.
Before paddling out: Access, water quality, local hazards and current restrictions need independent checks. Directory inclusion is not permission or a safety assessment.
Access not independently verified Approximate directory-area reference. May be displaced or obscured in its source; NOT a takeoff, route, access point or survey.
Source references
Provenance is not proof that every inherited claim or current access condition has been rechecked.
THE FIELD GUIDE / Sunset Cliffs
Read this stretch of coast.
Sunset Cliffs is the umbrella
Use this profile for area context and the individual pages for section-specific notes. One cliffs-wide height or tide description cannot capture every reef.
Swell, wind and water level
Reported swell reference: W (published preference; not an exclusive window). Wind reference from retained sources: E. Reported tide guidance: low tide (published preference). Compare each swell’s direction and period with the actual breaking line. These qualitative descriptions are not calibrated height multipliers or fixed tide cutoffs.
What to refine on your next check
Confirm the actual takeoff, local tide response and any missing peel/difficulty details.
Research and sources · 5 October 2026
A researched starting point for local refinement. Reported preferences can differ between guides; sand and rock labels inferred from break classifications are not seabed surveys. Forecast data and catalogue coordinates are separate from this editorial research.
- Surf-Forecast — Sunset Cliffs published spot guide
Camera references nearby
Pacific Beach ↗
HDOnTap · about 9.7 km from the catalogue pin · video-page
Pacific Beach oceanfront surf view near the Crystal Pier area.
Links to third-party camera pages, not owned feeds. Proximity does not confirm the camera sees this break. Playback and image freshness have not been verified by this page.
Make the next session easier
Lineup etiquette · Paddling technique · How these forecasts work
Nearby spots to compare
PureSurfers is built by Peter Ochabski. Spot profiles combine retained sources and contributor observations; this is not a claim he has surfed or verified every entry.
COASTAL WAVE GUIDANCE
Waves at the model cells
Awaiting shared model dataSignificant wave height (Hs) before the legacy spot reduction. This is not a measured breaking-face or set range.
Nearshore and buoy trends load here. Coverage and observation times are shown separately.