73°
Mostly Sunny
2%
82
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
Ideal for a beach walk.
73°F water · 73°F air
Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon
Mostly sunny, with a high near 73. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tonight
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. Southwest wind 0 to 5 mph.
Weather
- 73°F air — ideal beach weather
- Sunny skies — mostly sunny
Water
- 73°F water — swimmable, refreshing
Safety
- UV 11 (extreme) — spf 50+ mandatory, limit mid-day exposure
78 /100
great
76 Swim
76 Sunbathe
85 Walk
80 Photo
Best for walking today
Water level 0.5 ft above predicted
Observed water level is running higher than the astronomical tide prediction. Expect a narrower beach, faster-rising water, and stronger near-shore currents than the tide chart suggests.
Atmosphere
Air Temp
73°F
Mostly Sunny
Wind
5 to 10 mph
SW
Rain
2%
This Afternoon
UV Peak
11 Extreme
High 10 AM–03 PM · burn in ~18m
Burn-free before 08 AM & after 06 PM
Tomorrow
74°F
Partly Sunny
Water
Water Temp
73°F
Swimming weather
Wave Height
2.3 ft
15s · SW swell
Water Quality
Above threshold
394 #/100mL · Enterococcus
USGS · sampled 6mo 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
8:53 AM
Sunset
10:57 PM
Moon · 18%
Waxing Crescent
Neap tides — smaller range
Tides
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 12:02 AM | High | 5.5 ft |
| 6:51 AM | Low | -0.0 ft |
| 1:29 PM | High | 4.7 ft |
| 7:12 PM | Low | 1.9 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 12:54 AM | High | 4.6 ft |
| 7:27 AM | Low | 0.7 ft |
| 2:15 PM | High | 4.8 ft |
| 8:29 PM | Low | 1.9 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 1:57 AM | High | 3.7 ft |
| 8:03 AM | Low | 1.3 ft |
| 3:04 PM | High | 4.9 ft |
| 10:03 PM | Low | 1.8 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 3:30 AM | High | 3.1 ft |
| 8:41 AM | Low | 2.0 ft |
| 3:57 PM | High | 4.9 ft |
| 11:38 PM | Low | 1.4 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 5:51 AM | High | 2.8 ft |
| 9:29 AM | Low | 2.5 ft |
| 4:53 PM | High | 5.0 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 12:50 AM | Low | 0.9 ft |
| 7:51 AM | High | 3.0 ft |
| 10:42 AM | Low | 2.9 ft |
| 5:47 PM | High | 5.2 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 1:40 AM | Low | 0.5 ft |
| 8:46 AM | High | 3.3 ft |
| 12:00 PM | Low | 3.0 ft |
| 6:35 PM | High | 5.4 ft |
High/low predictions from NOAA station 9410230, refreshed on every build. Times shown local.
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
74°
Partly Sunny
2%
83
75°
Partly Sunny
1%
83
76°
Mostly Sunny
0%
84
76°
Mostly Sunny
1%
84
76°
Mostly Sunny
3%
83
75°
Partly Sunny
9%
82
What to Bring Today
- critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 11 — very high
- optional Swimsuit - water is swimmable Water is 73°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
Frequently Asked
Is it safe to swim at Cardiff State Beach today?
Cardiff State Beach shows a live water-quality reading (bacteria levels) and today's swim-safety score at the top of this page, refreshed on every update. Seasonal lifeguards patrol the swim area in summer — follow their flags. Always review the current advisories, surf, and rip-current notes before getting in the water.
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