69°
Partly Sunny
0%
67
San Diego County, CA · Pacific Ocean
Cardiff State Beach
2504 S Coast Hwy 101, Cardiff By The Sea, CA 92007
Popular reef break and longboard surf spot stretching along Old Highway 101 in Cardiff-by-the-Sea. Backed by the San Elijo Lagoon ecological reserve for birdwatching.
Today's Conditions
Great day for a beach walk.
Cool but workable
Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon
Partly sunny, with a high near 69. West wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tonight
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Weather
- 69°F air — cool but workable
- Sunny skies — clear conditions
Water
- 67°F water — chilly — expect a gasp entering
- 3.6ft waves — real surf — fun for confident swimmers, dicey for kids
59 /100
good
44 Swim
69 Sunbathe
80 Walk
80 Photo
Best for walking today
Atmosphere
Air Temp
69°F
Partly Sunny
Wind
5 to 10 mph
W
Rain
0%
This Afternoon
UV Peak
9 Very High
High 10 AM–03 PM · burn in ~22m
Burn-free before 08 AM & after 06 PM
Tomorrow
71°F
Partly Sunny
Water
Water Temp
67°F
Refreshing
Next High Tide
11:05 PM
5.2 ft · in 1.4h
Wave Height
3.6 ft
15s · SSW swell
Water Quality
Elevated
85 #/100mL · Enterococcus
USGS · sampled 5mo ago
Rip Current Risk · Regional Reference
No zone-specific NWS forecast for this beach (PZZ740)
The SGX office's Surf Zone Forecast doesn't cover this beach's forecast zone directly. Nearby coastal zones it does cover are listed below — regional reference only, not a substitute for the conditions at this specific beach.
- CAZ552 Orange County Coastal Areas n/a
- CAZ043 San Diego County Coastal Areas n/a
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
8:41 AM
Sunset
10:53 PM
Moon · 87%
Waning Gibbous
Neap tides — smaller range
Today's Tides
7-day chart →| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 6:11 AM | Low | -0.4 ft |
| 1:06 PM | High | 3.1 ft |
| 4:39 PM | Low | 2.6 ft |
| 11:05 PM | High | 5.2 ft |
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
71°
Partly Sunny
0%
67
70°
Partly Sunny
0%
67
69°
Mostly Cloudy
0%
60
69°
Partly Sunny
0%
67
68°
Mostly Sunny
0%
67
70°
Mostly Sunny
0%
67
What to Bring Today
- critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 9 — very high
- recommended Wetsuit or expect a chill Water is 67°F
Always remember water bottle, trash bag (leave no trace).
Beach Info
Parking
State-park demand-based pricing roughly $12–$25 per vehicle day-use.
Dogs
Leashed dogs (6 ft) allowed at Cardiff Reef and Seaside lots south of Tower 16, 6 a.m.–11 p.m.
Entry Fee
Day-use parking $12–$25 (demand-based).
Address
2504 S Coast Hwy 101, Cardiff By The Sea, CA 92007
Amenities
7-Day Tide Chart →
Full high/low predictions for the next week at Cardiff State Beach.
7-Day Weather →
Extended forecast for Cardiff State Beach from the National Weather Service.
Frequently Asked
Is Cardiff State Beach dog-friendly?
Leashed dogs (6 ft) allowed at Cardiff Reef and Seaside lots south of Tower 16, 6 a.m.–11 p.m.
Is there an entry fee at Cardiff State Beach?
Day-use parking $12–$25 (demand-based).
Are there lifeguards at Cardiff State Beach?
Yes. Seasonal lifeguards patrol Cardiff State Beach during the summer swim season (typically Memorial Day through Labor Day). Outside that window, swim at your own risk.
What amenities are at Cardiff State Beach?
Amenities at Cardiff State Beach include restrooms, showers, lifeguard tower.
When is the water warmest at Cardiff State Beach?
The Pacific is cold. Southern California (San Diego to Santa Barbara) peaks in August at 65-72°F. Central and Northern California stay in the upper 50s to low 60s year-round. Oregon and Washington rarely exceed 60°F. Wetsuits are common.
Where is Cardiff State Beach located?
Cardiff State Beach is in San Diego County, CA, at 2504 S Coast Hwy 101, Cardiff By The Sea, CA 92007.
Nearby Beaches
Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS