Ocean Beach SF
Ocean Beach SF is California's cold-water crucible—a powerful beach break directly exposed to the full fetch of the North Pacific, where San Francisco's most committed surfers battle freezing water, closeout sets, and the knowledge that great white sharks patrol these waters. The wave is not for the faint-hearted: massive paddle-outs, heavy lips, and conditions that can go from fun to survival in minutes. But when winter storms send clean groundswells and east winds blow offshore, OB delivers some of Northern California's most powerful beach break surfing.
Today's Conditions
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Hourly Forecast, Tide & Strike Windows
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Strike Score Breakdown
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- WNW (290°)
- Direction range
- 260° - 330°
- Size range
- 1m - 5m
- Ideal size
- 3.8m
- Height multiplier
- 0.97×
- Ideal period
- 18s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- E (90°)
- Offshore range
- 45° - 135°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- low to mid
- Optimal range
- 0.5m - 1.5m
Water temp
13°C
Wetsuit
4/3mm fullsuit
Difficulty
8/10
Crowd level
5/10
👥 Summer Break (Jun 15 – Aug 25) — expect extra crowds
Access: Beach parking along Great Highway.
Frequently Asked Questions
What tide is best at Ocean Beach SF?
Ocean Beach SF works best on a low to mid tide, ideally between 0.5m and 1.5m on the local tide chart. The tide chart above shows today’s strike window.
What wind direction is offshore at Ocean Beach SF?
Offshore wind at Ocean Beach SF blows from the E (90°). Anything in the 45° to 135° range grooms the faces; outside it, expect chop or bumpy conditions.
What swell size and direction work best at Ocean Beach SF?
Ocean Beach SF wants WNW swell (260° to 330°) between 1m and 5m, with a period of 18s or more for quality waves.
When is the best time of year to surf Ocean Beach SF?
The main season at Ocean Beach SF is Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar. A secondary window runs Sep, Apr. Big swells year-round. Massive in winter storms.
How do I get to Ocean Beach SF?
Fly into SFO, then allow about 25 minutes by road. Beach parking along Great Highway.
What kind of wave is Ocean Beach SF?
Ocean Beach SF is a beach break, a peak with lefts and rights. Difficulty is rated 8/10.
Best Season
Peak: Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar
Secondary: Sep, Apr
Big swells year-round. Massive in winter storms.
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