CALIFORNIA / Cardiff / SolanaSPOT / 021

Cardiff Reef.

The reef is the reference.

Right-dominant33.015° N / 117.285° W

Color satellite and aerial imagery centered on the approximate Cardiff Reef catalogue location — Satellite / aerial view · centred on the approximate catalogue pin. Not live imagery.
Powered by Esri · Esri, Vantor, Earthstar Geographics, and the GIS User Community.

Approximate catalogue pin · check the actual shoreline. © OpenStreetMap contributors

Open Cardiff Reef on the map ↗Best surf near me

Forecast & tide at a glance

Estimated surf face · feet · Pacific time. The existing PureSurfers face-estimation engine; not a measured or calibrated breaking-wave report.

Estimated surf face2.3 ftOlder cached forecast Wed Nov 11, 6:00pm Pacific

Coastal wind3.9 mphWNW from · older cache

NOAA tide reference0.2 ftMLLW · La Jolla

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.

Wed Nov 11, 6:00pm Pacific

MFWAM · 2 components

Primary swell

2.6ft Hs

W from · 279° · 10.1 s

2.6 feet

Wind sea

0.0ft Hs

No energy reported for this component

0.0 feet

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 Wed Nov 11, 5:45pm · older cache. This is regional modeled wind, not a beach measurement.

Source retrievals: GFS Nov 11, 4:04pm (older cache) · ECMWF Nov 11, 4:04pm (older cache) · MFWAM Nov 11, 4:04pm (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: La Jolla, 17 km reference; retrieved Wed Nov 11, 6:10pm. Station predictions can differ locally.

Seven-day overview

06:00–19:00 forecast hours; daily values are not a full-day maximum.
Pacific day	Estimated surf face	Mean wind	Hours available
Wed Nov 11	2.3 ft	5.2 mph	14/14
Thu Nov 12	2.4 ft	6.2 mph	14/14
Fri Nov 13	2.9 ft	8.4 mph	14/14
Sat Nov 14	3.6 ft	4.4 mph	14/14
Sun Nov 15	3.1 ft	5.3 mph	14/14
Mon Nov 16	2.8 ft	6.1 mph	14/14
Tue Nov 17	2.3 ft	6.0 mph	14/14

Hourly details · next 72 hours

Pacific time	Estimated surf face	Model range	Set proxy	Swell from	Wind	Tide MLLW	Models
Wed 6:00pm	2.3 ft	2.3–2.3 ft	3.5 ft	W · 12.6 s	3.9 mph WNW	0.2 ft	2
Wed 7:00pm	2.3 ft	2.3–2.4 ft	3.5 ft	W · 12.6 s	2.5 mph WNW	1.0 ft	2
Wed 8:00pm	2.3 ft	2.3–2.4 ft	3.5 ft	W · 12.6 s	0.5 mph NNE	1.8 ft	2
Wed 9:00pm	2.4 ft	2.3–2.4 ft	3.5 ft	W · 12.7 s	3.4 mph E	2.6 ft	2
Wed 10:00pm	2.4 ft	2.3–2.4 ft	3.5 ft	W · 12.7 s	5.2 mph E	3.1 ft	2
Wed 11:00pm	2.3 ft	2.3–2.4 ft	3.5 ft	W · 12.7 s	4.9 mph E	3.3 ft	2
Thu 12:00am	2.4 ft	2.3–2.5 ft	3.6 ft	W · 12.6 s	5.2 mph E	3.2 ft	2
Thu 1:00am	2.3 ft	2.2–2.5 ft	3.5 ft	W · 12.6 s	3.4 mph ENE	3.0 ft	2
Thu 2:00am	2.4 ft	2.2–2.5 ft	3.6 ft	W · 12.6 s	3.2 mph ENE	2.8 ft	2
Thu 3:00am	2.4 ft	2.2–2.5 ft	3.5 ft	W · 12.6 s	3.2 mph ENE	2.6 ft	2
Thu 4:00am	2.4 ft	2.3–2.5 ft	3.6 ft	W · 12.6 s	2.7 mph NE	2.8 ft	2
Thu 5:00am	2.4 ft	2.2–2.5 ft	3.6 ft	W · 12.6 s	4.6 mph ENE	3.2 ft	2
Thu 6:00am	2.3 ft	2.2–2.4 ft	3.5 ft	W · 12.5 s	6.3 mph ENE	3.8 ft	2
Thu 7:00am	2.3 ft	2.2–2.5 ft	3.5 ft	W · 12.5 s	5.2 mph ENE	4.5 ft	2
Thu 8:00am	2.4 ft	2.2–2.5 ft	3.5 ft	W · 12.5 s	4.3 mph ENE	5.1 ft	2
Thu 9:00am	2.3 ft	2.2–2.5 ft	3.5 ft	W · 12.5 s	1.3 mph ESE	5.5 ft	2
Thu 10:00am	2.4 ft	2.2–2.6 ft	3.6 ft	W · 12.5 s	4.3 mph SW	5.5 ft	2
Thu 11:00am	2.4 ft	2.2–2.6 ft	3.6 ft	W · 12.5 s	7.2 mph SW	5.1 ft	2
Thu 12:00pm	2.4 ft	2.2–2.6 ft	3.6 ft	W · 12.6 s	9.4 mph WSW	4.3 ft	2
Thu 1:00pm	2.4 ft	2.2–2.7 ft	3.6 ft	W · 12.7 s	10.0 mph WSW	3.2 ft	2
Thu 2:00pm	2.4 ft	2.2–2.6 ft	3.6 ft	W · 12.6 s	9.3 mph WSW	2.1 ft	2
Thu 3:00pm	2.5 ft	2.2–2.7 ft	3.7 ft	W · 12.6 s	8.7 mph SW	1.1 ft	2
Thu 4:00pm	2.4 ft	2.2–2.7 ft	3.7 ft	W · 12.6 s	6.6 mph SW	0.3 ft	2
Thu 5:00pm	2.5 ft	2.3–2.7 ft	3.7 ft	W · 12.7 s	5.0 mph SSW	0.0 ft	2
Thu 6:00pm	2.5 ft	2.3–2.7 ft	3.7 ft	W · 12.9 s	4.7 mph S	0.1 ft	2
Thu 7:00pm	2.5 ft	2.3–2.7 ft	3.7 ft	W · 13.0 s	3.9 mph S	0.6 ft	2
Thu 8:00pm	2.5 ft	2.3–2.7 ft	3.8 ft	W · 13.1 s	4.3 mph SE	1.2 ft	2
Thu 9:00pm	2.6 ft	2.4–2.7 ft	3.8 ft	W · 13.2 s	4.4 mph SE	2.0 ft	2
Thu 10:00pm	2.6 ft	2.4–2.8 ft	3.8 ft	W · 13.3 s	3.8 mph ESE	2.6 ft	2
Thu 11:00pm	2.6 ft	2.4–2.8 ft	3.9 ft	W · 13.5 s	4.3 mph ESE	3.0 ft	2
Fri 12:00am	2.6 ft	2.4–2.8 ft	3.9 ft	W · 13.6 s	6.1 mph E	3.1 ft	2
Fri 1:00am	2.6 ft	2.4–2.8 ft	3.9 ft	W · 13.7 s	7.6 mph ESE	3.1 ft	2
Fri 2:00am	2.7 ft	2.4–2.9 ft	4.0 ft	W · 13.7 s	7.6 mph ESE	3.0 ft	2
Fri 3:00am	2.7 ft	2.5–2.9 ft	4.1 ft	W · 13.7 s	4.1 mph ESE	2.9 ft	2
Fri 4:00am	2.7 ft	2.5–3.0 ft	4.1 ft	W · 13.7 s	7.5 mph SSE	2.9 ft	2
Fri 5:00am	2.8 ft	2.5–3.0 ft	4.2 ft	W · 13.8 s	7.8 mph ESE	3.1 ft	2
Fri 6:00am	2.8 ft	2.5–3.0 ft	4.1 ft	W · 13.8 s	4.7 mph S	3.5 ft	2
Fri 7:00am	2.8 ft	2.6–3.0 ft	4.2 ft	W · 13.9 s	16.4 mph WSW	4.1 ft	2
Fri 8:00am	2.8 ft	2.6–3.1 ft	4.3 ft	W · 13.8 s	9.3 mph SW	4.6 ft	2
Fri 9:00am	2.9 ft	2.6–3.1 ft	4.3 ft	W · 13.8 s	7.4 mph ESE	5.0 ft	2
Fri 10:00am	2.9 ft	2.7–3.1 ft	4.3 ft	W · 13.7 s	7.8 mph S	5.2 ft	2
Fri 11:00am	2.9 ft	2.7–3.1 ft	4.3 ft	W · 13.5 s	6.5 mph SW	5.1 ft	2
Fri 12:00pm	2.9 ft	2.6–3.1 ft	4.3 ft	W · 13.3 s	9.7 mph SW	4.6 ft	2
Fri 1:00pm	2.8 ft	2.6–3.0 ft	4.3 ft	W · 13.1 s	11.3 mph SW	3.8 ft	2
Fri 2:00pm	2.8 ft	2.6–3.1 ft	4.3 ft	W · 12.9 s	10.2 mph WSW	2.8 ft	2
Fri 3:00pm	2.9 ft	2.6–3.1 ft	4.3 ft	W · 12.6 s	8.2 mph WSW	1.9 ft	2
Fri 4:00pm	2.9 ft	2.6–3.1 ft	4.3 ft	W · 12.5 s	8.1 mph WSW	1.0 ft	2
Fri 5:00pm	2.9 ft	2.6–3.2 ft	4.4 ft	W · 12.4 s	7.2 mph WSW	0.5 ft	2
Fri 6:00pm	2.9 ft	2.7–3.2 ft	4.4 ft	W · 12.3 s	5.8 mph WSW	0.3 ft	2
Fri 7:00pm	3.0 ft	2.7–3.3 ft	4.5 ft	W · 12.3 s	5.1 mph WSW	0.4 ft	2
Fri 8:00pm	3.0 ft	2.7–3.4 ft	4.6 ft	W · 12.2 s	4.5 mph WSW	0.8 ft	2
Fri 9:00pm	3.1 ft	2.7–3.4 ft	4.6 ft	W · 12.1 s	5.6 mph W	1.4 ft	2
Fri 10:00pm	3.1 ft	2.7–3.5 ft	4.7 ft	W · 12.0 s	5.8 mph W	2.0 ft	2
Fri 11:00pm	3.2 ft	2.8–3.6 ft	4.8 ft	W · 11.7 s	5.8 mph W	2.6 ft	2
Sat 12:00am	3.3 ft	2.9–3.8 ft	5.0 ft	W · 11.4 s	6.3 mph W	2.9 ft	2
Sat 1:00am	3.4 ft	2.9–3.9 ft	5.1 ft	W · 11.1 s	6.6 mph WNW	3.1 ft	2
Sat 2:00am	3.5 ft	3.0–4.0 ft	5.3 ft	W · 10.8 s	8.3 mph W	3.1 ft	2
Sat 3:00am	3.5 ft	3.0–4.0 ft	5.3 ft	W · 10.5 s	8.4 mph W	3.1 ft	2
Sat 4:00am	3.6 ft	3.1–4.2 ft	5.5 ft	W · 10.4 s	7.1 mph WSW	3.0 ft	2
Sat 5:00am	3.6 ft	3.2–4.1 ft	5.4 ft	W · 10.6 s	7.0 mph WSW	3.1 ft	2
Sat 6:00am	3.6 ft	3.2–3.9 ft	5.4 ft	W · 11.0 s	5.8 mph WSW	3.3 ft	2
Sat 7:00am	3.5 ft	3.3–3.8 ft	5.3 ft	W · 11.5 s	4.0 mph SW	3.7 ft	2
Sat 8:00am	3.6 ft	3.3–3.9 ft	5.4 ft	W · 11.9 s	4.2 mph SSW	4.1 ft	2
Sat 9:00am	3.6 ft	3.3–3.8 ft	5.4 ft	W · 12.4 s	5.4 mph SSW	4.5 ft	2
Sat 10:00am	3.6 ft	3.3–3.9 ft	5.4 ft	W · 12.9 s	5.5 mph SSW	4.8 ft	2
Sat 11:00am	3.6 ft	3.3–3.9 ft	5.4 ft	W · 13.3 s	5.6 mph SW	4.9 ft	2
Sat 12:00pm	3.6 ft	3.3–3.9 ft	5.4 ft	W · 13.7 s	6.1 mph W	4.6 ft	2
Sat 1:00pm	3.6 ft	3.3–3.9 ft	5.4 ft	W · 14.0 s	5.0 mph W	4.2 ft	2
Sat 2:00pm	3.7 ft	3.3–4.0 ft	5.5 ft	W · 14.3 s	3.8 mph W	3.4 ft	2
Sat 3:00pm	3.6 ft	3.3–4.0 ft	5.5 ft	W · 14.6 s	3.2 mph WNW	2.6 ft	2
Sat 4:00pm	3.7 ft	3.3–4.1 ft	5.5 ft	W · 14.8 s	2.9 mph WNW	1.8 ft	2
Sat 5:00pm	3.7 ft	3.3–4.1 ft	5.6 ft	W · 14.9 s	3.2 mph WNW	1.1 ft	2
Sat 6:00pm	3.6 ft	3.3–4.0 ft	5.5 ft	W · 14.9 s	3.3 mph WNW	0.7 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

The classic cobbly Cardiff reef.

Break type: Reef / point
Wave direction: Right-dominant
Reported difficulty: Beginner–intermediate
Bottom: Rock / reef
Reported swell preference: S–W
Reported tide preference: Low–mid

A friendly but iconic right zone with useful shoulders and supporting peaks. Source note: Imported 6.8 catalogue; place and confirm the takeoff.

Before paddling out: Currents, crowding, submerged rock or cobble, water-quality changes after rain, and shifting bars.

Public access Owner-placed takeoff; not a survey

Source references

Provenance is not proof that every inherited claim or current access condition has been rechecked.

THE FIELD GUIDE / Cardiff Reef

Read this stretch of coast.

What defines this setup

Cardiff Reef is catalogued as reef / point, with right-dominant waves over rock / reef. Those details explain why the same offshore height can feel different here than at the next beach. Use the map to orient yourself, then watch how the sets actually meet the bottom and where the ride opens or closes. The catalogue is a starting description, not a surveyed takeoff.

What to compare before you go

The retained swell preference is S–W; the reported tide preference is Low–mid. Start with the component panel: check whether the stronger incoming swell is in that directional window and whether a second system approaches from a different angle. Then compare wind and water level for the same hour. These are planning comparisons, not new corrections applied to the displayed surf-face estimate.

A useful shore check

The reported difficulty is Beginner–intermediate. Look at the interval between sets, the distance a surfer drifts while waiting, the room available to enter and exit, and whether the waves connect through the intended section. Catalogue hazards include Currents, crowding, submerged rock or cobble, water-quality changes after rain, and shifting bars. If the session you see differs from the forecast, record that difference with the time and setup; it is information for the next visit, not a reason to force today’s session.

A useful note for next time

Record the section you actually surfed, the time, incoming swell direction and period, wind and tide trend. Add what the wave did: connected sections, closeouts, drift or exposed obstacles. Comparing that observation with the same model next time is more useful than treating one colored number as the whole session.

Camera references nearby

Del Mar coastal overlook ↗

HDOnTap · about 5.9 km from the catalogue pin · video-page

Elevated coastal and beach panorama.

Del Mar · 17th Street ↗

City of Del Mar / HDOnTap · about 6.1 km from the catalogue pin · video-page

City beach-camera collection at 17th Street with multiple viewing directions.

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 data

Significant 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.