Doheny State Beach, CA

MapBeginner-friendlyLive · -

5h 2m of daylight left

Sunset at 2:16 AM

Today is the peak

Don't wait — score 10.0 during the 10 AM–11 AM window. Tomorrow doesn't beat it.

GOWorth it

7.1/ 10 · Good

Best time to ride

1 AM–2 AM

Next 12 hours

Rideable and likely fun.

Clean swell
Tide window opening

Conditions

Wave

2.6 ft→

Sweet spot 1.5–5 ft

Period

13s→

Sweet spot 9–14 s

Wind

12 mph SW→

Onshore

Tide

Next · Low 04:52 AM

Session plan

Worth it

Rideable and likely fun.

Doheny State Beach, CA · Beginner-friendly

Peak window

1 AM–2 AM

Avg score 9.6/10

Why this score

Wind is starting to chop the face.

Wave height2.6 ft

Swell period13s

WindOnshore 12 mph

Current: 2.6 ft @ 13s • 12 mph wind. wave height is in a sweet spot for this spot period is strong, adding good push to the sets wind is starting to hurt shape a bit wind direction is fighting the banks and shape

Next 12 hours

Peak window 1 AM–2 AM

Today's read·Auto-generated from the forecast

Workable chest-high sets on a 13-second period. Best chance is the 1 AM–2 AM window before the low tide at 4:52 AM.

9 PM

7.12.6ft

10 PM

7.12.7ft

11 PM

8.52.7ft

12 AM

9.12.8ft

1 AM

9.12.8ft

2 AM

10.02.8ft

3 AM

10.02.8ft

4 AM

10.02.8ft

5 AM

10.02.8ft

6 AM

10.02.8ft

7 AM

10.02.8ft

8 AM

10.02.8ft

Sunrise 1:24 PM Sunset 2:16 AM

Next 5 days

Best window

Best this week

10.0/10

Tuesday, Sep 1 • 10 AM–11 AM

Wave 2.7 ft

Period 12s

Wind max 12 mph

Temp 65–77°F

Tuesday, Sep 1

10.0 / 10

Best: 10 AM–11 AM

Wave: 2.7 ft

Period: 12s

Wind max: 12 mph

Wednesday, Sep 2

10.0 / 10

Best: 10 AM–11 AM

Wave: 2.7 ft

Period: 12s

Wind max: 11 mph

Thursday, Sep 3

9.5 / 10

Best: 10 AM–11 AM

Wave: 3.1 ft

Period: 11s

Wind max: 12 mph

Friday, Sep 4

8.5 / 10

Best: 10 AM–11 AM

Wave: 3.3 ft

Period: 18s

Wind max: 11 mph

Saturday, Sep 5

9.9 / 10

Best: 10 AM–11 AM

Wave: 4.1 ft

Period: 15s

Wind max: 10 mph

Day	Best window	Score	Wave	Period	Wind max	Temp
Tuesday, Sep 1	10 AM–11 AM	10.0	2.7 ft	12s	12 mph	65–77°F
Wednesday, Sep 2	10 AM–11 AM	10.0	2.7 ft	12s	11 mph	60–78°F
Thursday, Sep 3	10 AM–11 AM	9.5	3.1 ft	11s	12 mph	61–79°F
Friday, Sep 4	10 AM–11 AM	8.5	3.3 ft	18s	11 mph	65–79°F
Saturday, Sep 5	10 AM–11 AM	9.9	4.1 ft	15s	10 mph	67–84°F

Spot intelWetsuit, hazards & notes

Good for beginners today

Beginner basics

Where to go

Doheny is the classic California learner spot — gentle peaks inside the harbour, sand bottom, lifeguards, and surf schools everywhere. Pick any open patch between schools and you're in business.

What to avoid

Don't try to claim a peak that a school is using — wait your turn. The lineup gets thick on weekends, so weekday mornings are far calmer. Watch for kayakers and paddleboarders sharing the zone.

Best beginner conditions

Knee-to-waist S or SW swell, light E wind, mid to high tide. Year-round playground; summer south swells deliver the most consistent friendly conditions.

New to surfing? Read the beginner guide →

Wetsuit

Summer setup

Season-based baseline. Water temp varies week to week.

Full guide

Boardshorts / Bikini

Or 2mm top on windy mornings

2mm Springsuit / Shorty

If you get cold easily

Spot notes

How this break works