What is happening on Northern California beaches right now. Official notices come from the National Weather Service. Community posts come from divers and swimmers who were standing there.
Heads-up · Season dates · San Luis Obispo · Monterey · Santa Cruz · San Mateo · San Francisco · Marin · Sonoma · Mendocino · Humboldt · Del Norte
Dungeness crab season opens; traps banned until January
Published for Nov 7 · Until Dec 15, 11:59 PM
Sport Dungeness crab season opened November 7. Crab traps are banned north of Point Conception until at least January 1 because of whale entanglements; hoop nets and snares are allowed. Take stays closed from Reading Rock to Ten Mile State Marine Reserve for domoic acid.
General photo of the Southern California coast. It does not depict this event.
Asilomar State Beach and Coastal Trail closed for big surf
Until Nov 17, 11:59 PM
State Parks closes the beach and the Coastal Trail from Friday night, Nov 13, to Sunday morning, Nov 15, for large west-northwest swells and higher than normal tides. It says the closure will likely run through Tuesday.
General photo of Asilomar State Beach. It does not depict this event.
Santa Cruz closes its beaches and wharf for the weekend surf
Until Nov 15, 11:59 PM
The City of Santa Cruz closes its beaches and the wharf from 10 PM Friday, Nov 13, to 5 AM Sunday, Nov 15, for 25 to 35 ft surf. Cowell Beach is already closed after a sick fin whale stranded and died there Nov 12.
General photo of Santa Cruz. It does not depict this event.
Capitola Beach closed after E. coli sickens 9 children
Until Nov 24, 11:59 PM
Santa Cruz County and Capitola closed the beach on Nov 10 while health officials investigate 9 linked E. coli O157 infections in children. The source is unknown; exposures likely happened at the beach or nearby waterways. Stay out of the water.
General photo of Capitola Beach. It does not depict this event.
Hazard · Hazardous surf · Del Norte · Humboldt · Marin · Mendocino · Monterey · San Francisco · San Mateo · Santa Cruz · Sonoma
Dangerous high surf along the Northern California coast through Sunday
Until Nov 15, 4:00 AM
High Surf Warning from the National Weather Service, in effect for Del Norte, Humboldt, Marin, Mendocino, Monterey, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Cruz, and Sonoma until Sunday 4:00 AM. Dangerously large breaking waves of 25 to 35 ft, with occasional sets of 40 to 50 ft at favored breakpoints.
General photo of the Northern California coast. It does not depict this event.
Advisory · Algae bloom · Del Norte · Humboldt · San Mateo · Santa Cruz · Monterey
Domoic acid closes razor clams and Monterey Bay anchovies
Until Nov 27, 11:59 PM
Razor clam digging is closed in Del Norte County since Oct 9 and Humboldt County since 2024 for domoic acid, an algae toxin. Anchovies from Pigeon Point to Point Lobos may only be used as bait, and sardines from there should not be eaten either.
General photo of the Northern California coast. It does not depict this event.
Eat no Dungeness crab from Reading Rock to Ten Mile
Until Nov 27, 11:59 PM
The state health department warns against eating any part of sport-caught Dungeness crab, meat or guts, from Reading Rock State Marine Reserve south to Ten Mile State Marine Reserve. Domoic acid, an algae toxin, is high there, and cooking does not destroy it.
General photo of Humboldt. It does not depict this event.
Advisory · Coastal flooding · Marin · Monterey · San Francisco · San Mateo · Santa Cruz · Sonoma
Minor coastal flooding along the Northern California coast through Saturday
Until Nov 14, 6:00 PM
Coastal Flood Advisory from the National Weather Service, in effect for Marin, Monterey, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Cruz, and Sonoma until Saturday 6:00 PM. For the Beach Hazards Statement, An increased risk for sneaker waves and strong rip currents with breaking waves of 15 to 20 ft expected. High tides will result in flooding of low-lying infrastructure, isolated road closures, and coastal erosion.
General photo of the Northern California coast. It does not depict this event.
Pro members see the clearest water in Southern California today and their own watchlist right here, without leaving the front page. Ocean Oracle also unlocks days 2 through 7 on every beach and emails you when a prime visibility day is coming.
