Lifeguard Tower 26, CA

CHECK RIP CURRENT RISK & WATER SAFETY

Live AI Coastal Briefing

Saturday, July 11, is shaping up to be a beautiful day at the coast, with a dominant marine layer bringing 100% cloud cover and high humidity. This morning, the marine layer is expected to burn off by late morning, revealing a stunning day for beach visitors. As the day unfolds, we can expect a fun-filled morning with great conditions for surfers, swimmers, and beachgoers, followed by a pleasant afternoon and evening.



The surf conditions are looking great, with wave heights at 2.4 feet, making it perfect for longboarders to catch some waves. The water temperature is a comfortable 68°F, making it suitable for short sessions in either a spring suit or boardshorts. However, rip current data is unavailable today, so swimmers are advised to check with the lifeguard on duty before entering the water. Be sure to check the local tide chart for low and high tide times, and note that swell data is also unavailable.



This morning's conditions are ideal for runners and cyclists, with a gentle 2mph wind from the northeast and the marine layer providing cool, overcast cover. With a low UV index of 0.05, no special protection is needed just yet, but be sure to apply sunscreen as the UV builds through the morning. Air quality is moderate, with an AQI of 72, so sensitive individuals should limit their prolonged outdoor exercise. Beach volleyball, paddleboarding, and tennis enthusiasts can also make the most of the morning window, as the onshore breeze typically picks up in the afternoon.



As the day develops, the marine layer will burn off, and we can expect a pleasant afternoon and evening. The slightly low pressure of 29.83 inHg indicates that conditions might be a bit unsettled, but overall, it's shaping up to be a wonderful day at the coast. With no rain expected and comfortable temperatures, it's a great day to get outdoors and enjoy the beach, whether you're surfing, swimming, or just soaking up the sun. So, grab your board, your sunscreen, and your sense of adventure, and make the most of this beautiful Saturday at the coast.



Briefing issued 6:01 AM, Saturday, July 11. Live conditions update continuously above.

About This Coastline

Lifeguard Tower 26 stands on the broad sand of south Santa Monica, serving as a practical safety post and a clear visual marker along an otherwise open stretch of beach. Its numbered identity is simple, but regular beach users often organise meeting points, swims and workouts around towers like this.

The Vibe

The mood is active, local and less commercial than the pier district. Early mornings bring runners, open-water swimmers and training groups to the shoreline, while families and casual beachgoers arrive later in the day. The tower provides orientation in a landscape where the sand, surf and bike path can otherwise appear almost continuous.

This section of the beach feels connected to Ocean Park and Main Street, with a neighbourhood rhythm that differs from the concentrated visitor activity farther north.

The Local Anchor

The lifeguard system itself is the anchor. Towers along Santa Monica State Beach are part of the wider Los Angeles County coastal safety network, providing observation points and rapid access to the water. Tower 26’s importance is functional rather than architectural.

Nearby volleyball courts, the Marvin Braude Bike Trail and beach access routes create a wider recreation zone. The location also sits within walking distance of Dorothy Green Park and the historic Bay Street beach area.

The Landscape

The beach is wide, level and sandy, with no natural headland or reef defining the site. Conditions are shaped by the open bay, shifting sandbars, wind and swell. The tower rises as a small vertical element against a large horizontal scene.

To the north, Santa Monica Pier is visible; to the south, the coastline leads toward Venice. Inland, low-rise hotels and apartments frame the beach edge. The landscape’s apparent simplicity is its strength: a numbered tower, a wide horizon and a direct relationship with the Pacific.