California buoy cluster

Southern California surf conditions and buoy data surf report and buoy data

Southern California has a distinct mix of northwest, west and south-swell exposure. This page limits comparisons to a useful coastal window instead of mixing the full California coastline. San Diego is included here as part of Southern California and also has a narrower page for focused local comparison. Start with the nearest recent reference, then check wind, tide and official marine information for the specific beach.

How to read this coverage

This page brings together surf, swell and wave conditions for Southern California surf conditions and buoy data surf report and buoy data. SwellOracle separates real instrument observations from marine model points so you can understand what you are seeing before making a decision. Current coverage includes 22 recent observations and 0 model points; availability can vary by source and update time.

  • Check the timestamp and source before comparing readings.
  • Combine height, period and direction with your coastline orientation.
  • Use models as context, not as an automatic substitute for a real buoy.

Read exposure before height

Start with a recent physical buoy, then compare period and direction with the orientation of the coast.

Headlands, islands and curved bays create shadow zones; a strong offshore reading does not guarantee the same size at every beach.

Available coverage

22 recent observations 0 model points 2 reference stations

Latest regional observation:

Anacapa Passage Reference without a recent reading · Source: NOAA/NDBC · 34° 10' 12.0" N, 119° 25' 48.0" O · History not captured yet
Height4.2 ft (1.3 m)Period15 sDirectionWNWTemp.59.2 °F / 15.1 °CWind—
View reading and chart →
Goleta Point Reference without a recent reading · Source: NOAA/NDBC · 34° 19' 48.0" N, 119° 48' 0.0" O · History not captured yet
Height2.8 ft (0.9 m)Period13 sDirectionWTemp.58.3 °F / 14.6 °CWind—
View reading and chart →
Harvest, CA (071) Observation · Source: NOAA/NDBC · 34° 27' 7.2" N, 120° 46' 48.0" O · History not captured yet
Height4.9 ft (1.5 m)Period14 sDirectionSSWTemp.61 °F / 16.1 °CWind—
View reading and chart →
NOAA LJPC1 Observation · Source: NOAA/NDBC · 32° 52' 1.2" N, 117° 15' 25.2" O · History not captured yet
Height2.6 ft (0.8 m)Period6 sDirection—Temp.—Wind—
View reading and chart →

History is enabled gradually when reusable, correctly identified observations are available. Models and references without a stored series keep their own page, but do not show historical charts.

Regional buoy and conditions table

Compare every station included in this hub by timestamp, source, height, period and direction. Physical stations and models are labelled separately.

ReferenceSourceUpdatedHeightPeriodDirectionTemperature
Anacapa PassagePhysical stationNOAA/NDBCNo recent reusable readingNo recent reusable reading——59.2 °F / 15.1 °C
Capistrano Beach Nearshore, CA (284)Physical stationNOAA/NDBC2026-08-24T18:56:00 UTC3 ft (0.9 m)14 s—71.8 °F / 22.1 °C
Del Mar Nearshore, CA (153)Physical stationNOAA/NDBC2026-08-24T18:56:00 UTC2.6 ft (0.8 m)14 sSW73.4 °F / 23 °C
EAST SANTA BARBARA - 12NM Southwest of Santa Barbara, CAPhysical stationNOAA/NDBCNo recent reusable readingNo recent reusable reading——70.9 °F / 21.6 °C
Goleta PointPhysical stationNOAA/NDBCNo recent reusable readingNo recent reusable reading——58.3 °F / 14.6 °C
Green Beach Offshore, CA (271)Physical stationNOAA/NDBC2026-08-24T19:00:00 UTC2.6 ft (0.8 m)14 sS75.9 °F / 24.4 °C
Harvest, CA (071)Physical stationNOAA/NDBC2026-08-24T19:26:00 UTC4.9 ft (1.5 m)14 sSSW61 °F / 16.1 °C
Leucadia Nearshore, CA (262)Physical stationNOAA/NDBC2026-08-24T19:26:00 UTC2.3 ft (0.7 m)14 sSW73.6 °F / 23.1 °C
Long Beach Channel, CA (215)Physical stationNOAA/NDBC2026-08-24T19:26:00 UTC3.3 ft (1 m)14 sSSW73.6 °F / 23.1 °C
Mission Bay West, CA (220)Physical stationNOAA/NDBC2026-08-24T19:26:00 UTC3.6 ft (1.1 m)14 sSSW76.6 °F / 24.8 °C
NOAA LJPC1Physical stationNOAA/NDBC2026-08-24T19:20:00 UTC2.6 ft (0.8 m)6 s——
Oceanside Offshore, CA (045)Physical stationNOAA/NDBC2026-08-24T19:26:00 UTC3 ft (0.9 m)14 sSSW74.5 °F / 23.6 °C
Point Loma South, CA (191)Physical stationNOAA/NDBC2026-08-24T18:56:00 UTC3.3 ft (1 m)14 sS74.3 °F / 23.5 °C
SAN CLEMENTE BASIN - 27NM SE Of San Clemente Is, CAPhysical stationNOAA/NDBCNo recent reusable readingNo recent reusable reading——74.1 °F / 23.4 °C
San Nicolas Island, CA (067)Physical stationNOAA/NDBC2026-08-24T18:56:00 UTC5.6 ft (1.7 m)14 s—67.8 °F / 19.9 °C
San Pedro South, CA (213)Physical stationNOAA/NDBC2026-08-24T19:26:00 UTC3 ft (0.9 m)14 sS75 °F / 23.9 °C
San Pedro, CA (092)Physical stationNOAA/NDBC2026-08-24T19:26:00 UTC3.3 ft (1 m)14 sSSE73.6 °F / 23.1 °C
Santa Cruz Basin, CA (203)Physical stationNOAA/NDBC2026-08-24T19:26:00 UTC3 ft (0.9 m)14 sSSW73 °F / 22.8 °C
Santa Monica Basin - 33NM WSW of Santa Monica, CAPhysical stationNOAA/NDBC2026-08-24T19:10:00 UTC1.7 ft (0.5 m)10 sSW72.9 °F / 22.7 °C
Santa Monica Bay, CA (028)Physical stationNOAA/NDBC2026-08-24T19:26:00 UTC2.6 ft (0.8 m)14 sS72.5 °F / 22.5 °C
SCRIPPS Nearshore, CA (201)Physical stationNOAA/NDBC2026-08-24T18:56:00 UTC2.6 ft (0.8 m)6 sWNW73.8 °F / 23.2 °C
Topanga Nearshore, CA (103)Physical stationNOAA/NDBC2026-08-24T19:00:00 UTC2.3 ft (0.7 m)14 sSSW74.7 °F / 23.7 °C
Torrey Pines Outer, CA (100)Physical stationNOAA/NDBC2026-08-24T19:26:00 UTC3 ft (0.9 m)14 sSSW75.9 °F / 24.4 °C
WEST SANTA BARBARA 38 NM West of Santa Barbara, CAPhysical stationNOAA/NDBCNo recent reusable readingNo recent reusable reading——65.1 °F / 18.4 °C

No numeric difference is calculated when either source has no reading.

Buoy and history FAQs

What buoy information is available for Southern California surf conditions and buoy data surf report and buoy data?

The published catalog includes 24 physical or reference stations and 0 model points for this region. Each source identifies its provider, location, data type and history status so observations are not mixed with estimates.

Why do some buoys have no historical charts?

Charts appear only when SwellOracle has a stored series of reusable, correctly identified observations. A station can keep its information page even when there is not yet a sufficient series for a chart.

What is the difference between a physical buoy and a marine model?

A physical buoy or station represents instrument measurements. A marine model estimates conditions at a grid point. Use observations as local confirmation and models as spatial context rather than treating them as equivalent sources.

How should swell height, period and direction be interpreted?

Read all three variables together: height describes the size of the signal, period helps explain its energy and direction shows where it comes from. Coastline shape, depth and local exposure can change what reaches the beach.

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Learn and compare

All California coverage

Compare this cluster with the rest of the state.

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Practical takeaway

Use Southern California buoys as observed confirmation and models only as clearly labelled regional context.