Lifeguard Tower 26, CA

CHECK RIP CURRENT RISK & WATER SAFETY

Live AI Coastal Briefing

Friday, August 28, is shaping up to be a beautiful day at the coast, with clear blue skies and just 3% cloud cover. The morning sky is a stunning sight, with the sun shining brightly and a gentle breeze blowing at 2mph from the NNW. As the day unfolds, beach visitors can look forward to a wide range of activities, from surfing and swimming to running, cycling, and beach volleyball, with plenty of sunshine and warm water conditions.



The surf is looking fun for longboarders, with wave heights at 2.6 feet, or knee to waist high. With the water temperature at a warm 74°F, boardshorts are the way to go. However, rip current data is unavailable today, so swimmers should be sure to check with the lifeguard on duty before entering the water. It's also a good idea to check the local tide chart for low and high tide times, and note that swell data is unavailable.



The morning conditions are ideal for runners and cyclists, with a light wind blowing at 2mph from the NNW. With a low UV index of 0, no special protection is needed just yet, but it's always a good idea to plan for sun protection as the day wears on. Air quality is moderate, with an AQI of 92, so sensitive individuals may want to limit their prolonged outdoor exercise. Beach volleyball, paddleboarding, and tennis are all great options for the morning, before the onshore breeze picks up in the afternoon.



As the day develops, the marine layer will likely burn off, giving way to a pleasant coastal afternoon. By midday, the sun will be shining brightly, and as the afternoon develops, the breeze will pick up, making it a great time for paddleboarding and other water sports. Heading into this evening, the pressure at 29.77 inHg indicates slightly low pressure, which could lead to unsettled conditions, but for now, it's looking like a beautiful day at the coast. So why not grab your board, your bike, or your running shoes, and get out there to enjoy all that the coast has to offer?



Briefing issued 6:02 AM, Friday, August 28. 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.