The Wave
Best shape comes from W-NW groundswells (longer period helps) with east or light offshore winds.
Works smallest-to-medium on low-mid tides and can fire up into punchier right peaks on scoured, very low tides.
Cardiff Reef is a long, shallow reef/point at the south end of Cardiff State Beach that turns both lefts and rights-often slow and playful but capable of powerful south-peaking walls at very low tide. Get the latest surfing conditions, forecast, and tide details for Cardiff Reef in California.
Forecast
As of:
Best shape comes from W-NW groundswells (longer period helps) with east or light offshore winds.
Works smallest-to-medium on low-mid tides and can fire up into punchier right peaks on scoured, very low tides.
Rock and flat-reef sections make low tides shallow and hazardous.
Crowds and parking pressure spike from the lot by the San Elijo outlet on weekends.
Stop guessing and start surfing. WaveWise analyzes live data to find your best upcoming sessions so you spend less time planning and more time paddling out.

