BEACH & SEA FLOOR GUIDE // San Diego · La JollaAll Levels (Shores = Beginner · Pier = Intermediate)

La Jolla Shores & Scripps Pier · San Diego — Reef Mechanics, Channels & Wind Shadow

San Diego's crown jewel — warm Southern California water, easy parking at Kellogg Park, and rideable sandbar peaks 340 days a year.

TAKEOFF CAUTION: STEEP DROP OVER SHALLOW BOTTOM. WATCH YOUR DEPTH ON WIPEOUTS.

All Levels (Shores = Beginner · Pier = Intermediate) · Max 2.8m

Swell: 0.8m – 2.2m

SWELL WINDOW

WNW / W / SW (235° – 295°)

Angle: 235° – 295°

WIND SHADOW & SHELTER

E / SE / Manhãs Sem Vento ('Glassy Dawn Patrol') (Offshore)

Trade Wind & Orographic Shelter

SUBSTRATE & DEPTH

100% Smooth La Jolla Sandbar

Submarine-Canyon Focused Beachbreak (Punchy at Pier, Mellow at Shores)

SWELL CAPTURE (BLUE) & WIND SHADOW (EMERALD) COMPASS

Swell: 289° (WNW) · Wind: 85° (E)

HYDROGRAPHIC REFRACTION, TAKEOFF & EXIT CHANNEL PROFILE

Beach & Reef Bottom Profile

Wave Dynamics (Beach Break): Long-period groundswell trains (14s+) undergo immediate refraction upon contacting the submarine volcanic shelf, concentrating 55 kJ of wave energy onto the takeoff bowl while peeling cleanly. The adjacent entry channel drains water smoothly without dragging surfers into the impact zone.

1. GOLDEN ENTRY & EXIT PROTOCOL

Beginners should paddle out south at La Jolla Shores where the submarine canyon mellows the swell; intermediates/advanced surfers head right to the Scripps Pier pilings where canyon refraction amplifies A-frame peaks.

Max High Tide: {tide}m: 2.10m•Min Low Tide: {tide}m: 0.40m

2. LOCAL WATER HAZARDS