SM Surf Break, CA

WAVE HEIGHT & SURF TEXTURE

Live AI Coastal Briefing

Friday, August 28, is shaping up to be a beautiful day at the coast, with clear blue skies and a temperature of 72°F. The morning sky is a stunning sight, with 0% cloud cover, making it a great day to get outdoors and enjoy the beach. As the day unfolds, beach visitors can expect a fun-filled day of surfing, swimming, and other activities, with the morning glass window typically lasting from 6am to 11am.



The surf conditions are looking great, with waves at 2.8 feet, which is knee to waist high, making it perfect for longboarders. The warm water temperature of 74°F means you can wear boardshorts and enjoy the surf without needing a wetsuit. However, please note that rip current data is unavailable today, so it's essential to check with the lifeguard on duty before entering the water. Additionally, be sure to check the local tide chart for low and high tide times, and note that swell data is also unavailable.



For runners and cyclists, the morning conditions are ideal, with a gentle wind of 5mph from the WNW. With a low UV index of 0, you don't need to worry about special sun protection just yet, but be sure to apply sunscreen as the UV builds up throughout the morning. However, with moderate air quality and an AQI of 92, sensitive individuals may want to limit their prolonged outdoor exercise. Beach volleyball, paddleboarding, and tennis are all great options for the morning, before the afternoon onshore breeze picks up, making it a bit more challenging.



As the day develops, the slightly low pressure of 29.80 inHg may lead to some unsettled conditions, but overall, it's shaping up to be a pleasant day at the coast. By midday, the sun will be shining brightly, and as the afternoon develops, the onshore breeze will pick up, ending the quality surf conditions. Heading into this evening, you can expect a beautiful sunset and a great time to relax and enjoy the beach. So, grab your board, your sunscreen, and your sense of adventure, and make the most of this stunning coastal day!



Briefing issued 6:20 AM, Friday, August 28. Live conditions update continuously above.

About This Coastline

Santa Monica’s central surf zone lies along a busy urban beach where a broad sandy shoreline meets the shifting waves of Santa Monica Bay. It is not a single reef or point break, but a collection of beach-break peaks influenced by sand movement, swell direction and the structures around the pier.

The Vibe

The mood is accessible and energetic. Beginners often take lessons near Bay Street, experienced surfers search for cleaner peaks along the open beach, and the water is shared with swimmers and bodyboarders when conditions are suitable. The setting is unusually public: rides, hotels and downtown streets remain visible from the lineup.

Mornings generally feel most surf-focused, before the beach path and sand fill with visitors. Later in the day, the experience becomes part of the wider Santa Monica scene rather than a dedicated surf enclave.

The Local Anchor

Santa Monica Pier is the dominant reference point, both visually and physically. It divides sections of beach, provides orientation from the water and connects the surf area with one of California’s most recognisable coastal landmarks. South of the pier, Bay Street Beach is associated with lessons and the historic Inkwell area.

Local surf culture also links Santa Monica to Venice and Malibu. Nick Gabaldón, a pioneering Black and Mexican American surfer, learned at Bay Street before making long journeys to surf Malibu, placing this urban beach within a larger story of access and belonging in California surfing.

The Landscape

The seabed is primarily sand, so wave shape and quality change frequently. Winter swell can produce stronger surf and currents, while summer often brings smaller conditions. As on any exposed ocean beach, conditions should be judged on the day and lifeguard guidance followed.

The landscape combines a wide beach, urban bluff, pier structures and a long crescent of bay. Few surf locations place the ocean and city in such immediate dialogue.