What is happening on Southern California beaches right now. Official notices come from the National Weather Service, county health departments, ocean observing programs, and our own data. Community posts come from divers and swimmers who were standing there.
Snorkelers reported octopus at La Jolla Shores on Nov 1, 2 and 10, between the Marine Room and the sand dollar beds. One snorkeler followed an octopus for about 20 minutes on Nov 1.
High Surf Warning from the National Weather Service, in effect for San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara until Sunday 3:00 AM. From 9 PM this evening to 3 AM PST Sunday. Stay off of beaches and coastal walkways, roads, and structures.
Coastal Flood Warning from the National Weather Service, in effect for San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara until Saturday 6:00 PM. Moderate to significant coastal flooding expected. Stay off of beaches and coastal walkways, roads, and structures.
The City of Ventura closed part of the beach near Surfer's Knoll on October 23, with no reopening date. River water flowing through the rock jetty is causing currents that can trap and drown people. Stay out of the water and off the jetty.
Governor Newsom proclaimed a statewide state of emergency on September 21 to prepare California for an El Niño that NOAA gives better than a 90 percent chance of becoming very strong and a 75 percent chance of being the strongest on record since 1950. State officials are preparing for repeated rounds of heavy rain, flooding, coastal flooding, large surf, debris flows, and power outages through the winter. A pulse of warm water is due to lift sea level on the Southern California coast by 6 to 12 inches by October, and the eastern Pacific hurricane season is forecast well above average, which means more south swell arriving on top of already high water. Officials are asking Californians to prepare their homes and families now: keep emergency supplies and water on hand, sign up for local emergency alerts, know the evacuation route from home, and follow the direction of emergency officials once storms arrive. The proclamation directs all residents to obey emergency officials during this emergency. Nautical News has the full story, including when the sea level rise reaches each city and what the 1997 to 1998 winter looked like.
High Surf Advisory from the National Weather Service, in effect for Santa Barbara until Sunday 4:00 AM. From 4 AM Saturday to 4 AM PST Sunday. There is an increased risk of ocean drowning. Rip currents can pull swimmers and surfers out to sea.
Coastal Flood Advisory from the National Weather Service, in effect for Los Angeles County, Orange County, San Diego, and Ventura County until Saturday 4:00 PM. From 7 AM to 4 PM PST Saturday. Flooding of lots, parks, and roads with only isolated road closures expected.
Los Angeles County health officials have posted a bacteria advisory at Descanso Bay and Avalon Beach, where bacteria levels in the water are higher than normal. Counties post an advisory when water samples test above state health standards, or when runoff is likely to push them there. Swimming, surfing, or diving there raises the risk of getting sick, and the advisory stays in place until the county lifts it.
Beach Hazards Statement from the National Weather Service, in effect for Catalina Island and Santa Barbara until Tuesday 3:00 PM. Dangerous rip currents and breaking waves due to elevated surf. Minor tidal overflows are possible during high tides. There is an increased risk of ocean drowning. Rip currents can pull swimmers and surfers out to sea.
The wettest spot in Santa Barbara took 0.67 in of rain in the last 3 days, Campus Point Beach, most recently on Thursday, November 12th. County health guidance is to stay out of the ocean for 72 hours after rain, and runoff plumes near creek mouths and storm drains cut visibility hard.
Modeled wave heights reach 10.7 ft in Channel Islands, highest at Richardson Rock & NW Pinnacles. Swell this size stirs the bottom, so expect visibility to drop at exposed breaks and shore entries to be rough.
High Surf Advisory from the National Weather Service, in effect for Los Angeles County, Orange County, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura County until Tuesday 3:00 PM. Large breaking waves of 5 to 8 feet today, increasing to 8 to 12 feet Saturday. Surf heights are expected to decrease to 5 to 9 feet Sunday through Tuesday. Dangerous rip currents expected.
Los Angeles County Public Health advises against swimming, surfing or playing in the ocean at Mother's Beach in Marina Del Rey, East Malibu Pier, and Santa Monica Pier in Santa Monica, where bacteria levels exceed state health standards. Most warnings cover about 100 yards of coast on either side of the named drain, pier or tower. The county reissues the list as new samples come back, and this notice follows its newest one.
Orange County health officials have posted a bacteria advisory at 1st Street, 8th Street, South of Pier, and 129 more beaches, where bacteria levels in the water are higher than normal. Counties post an advisory when water samples test above state health standards, or when runoff is likely to push them there. Swimming, surfing, or diving there raises the risk of getting sick, and the advisory stays in place until the county lifts it.
Los Angeles County health officials have posted a bacteria advisory at Leo Carillo State Beach, Nicholas Canyon County Beach, Topanga County Beach, and 39 more beaches, where bacteria levels in the water are higher than normal. Counties post an advisory when water samples test above state health standards, or when runoff is likely to push them there. Swimming, surfing, or diving there raises the risk of getting sick, and the advisory stays in place until the county lifts it.
Tropical Storm Rachel damage has closed part of the North Ponto parking lot and a restroom at South Carlsbad State Beach. No reopening date is set. State Parks suggests visiting near low tide, when more sand separates the bluffs from the waves.
San Diego County health officials have posted a bacteria advisory at San Onofre State Beach, USMC Camp Pendleton, Harbor Beach, and 36 more beaches, where bacteria levels in the water are higher than normal. Counties post an advisory when water samples test above state health standards, or when runoff is likely to push them there. Swimming, surfing, or diving there raises the risk of getting sick, and the advisory stays in place until the county lifts it.
San Diego County health officials have closed the ocean water at Tijuana Slough National Wildlife Refuge and Border Field State Park to swimming, surfing, and diving. Counties close the water when sewage or another immediate health hazard reaches it, which is a stronger step than a bacteria advisory. The closure stays in place until the county lifts it.
8 cormorants tangled in fishing line at Point La JollaHeads-up · San Diego · Until Nov 20, 11:59 PMCoastal flooding possible in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara through SaturdayHeads-up · San Luis Obispo · Santa Barbara · Until Nov 14, 3:00 PMCoastal water about 12 F warmer than normal for NovemberHeads-up · San Diego · Orange County · Until Nov 20, 11:59 PM
2 entangled whales seen off Orange CountyHeads-up · Orange County · Los Angeles County · Until Nov 22, 11:59 PM
Humpback whales seen daily off San Diego and Orange CountyHeads-up · San Diego · Orange County · Until Nov 30, 11:59 PMDead seabirds washing up on San Diego beachesHeads-up · San Diego · Until Nov 15, 11:59 PM
Dungeness crab season opens; traps banned until JanuaryHeads-up · San Luis Obispo · Monterey · Santa Cruz · San Mateo · San Francisco · Marin · Sonoma · Mendocino · Humboldt · Del Norte · Until Dec 15, 11:59 PMRare olive ridley turtle nest found near Ventura PierHeads-up · Ventura County · Until Jan 5, 11:59 PM
Olive ridley turtle eggs moved to Aquarium of the PacificHeads-up · Orange County · Until Nov 15, 11:59 PM
Sea turtles at the Marine Room and La Jolla this monthGood news · San Diego · Until Nov 30, 11:59 PM
Octopus sightings at La Jolla Shores this monthGood news · San Diego · Until Nov 30, 11:59 PM
